intermediate health insurance - urgent

[fujisan08]

Hi everyone, I am an international student in Ontario and just graduated with my degree; as of now, I'm unemployed, and looking for a job. My graduation ceremony is in October 2008 and my study visa expires end of July 2009. Right now, I don't have UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) since I've graduated obviously; however, I have been diagnosed with a potentially serious problem and given that I plan to stay in Canada at least until spring next year, I am looking for private health insurance. Does anyone know of any good private health insurers and what the premiums are? I also considered applying for a course at my uni so I could have access to UHIP; however, paying for the course and the premium comes to over $2000 so it's a bit expensive. Any suggestions will very appreciated.

[PMM]

Hi

Hi everyone, I am an international student in Ontario and just graduated with my degree; as of now, I'm unemployed, and looking for a job. My graduation ceremony is in October 2008 and my study visa expires end of July 2009. Right now, I don't have UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan) since I've graduated obviously; however, I have been diagnosed with a potentially serious problem and given that I plan to stay in Canada at least until spring next year, I am looking for private health insurance. Does anyone know of any good private health insurers and what the premiums are? I also considered applying for a course at my uni so I could have access to UHIP; however, paying for the course and the premium comes to over $2000 so it's a bit expensive. Any suggestions will very appreciated.

I don't think that you will be able to find a health insurance that will cover a pre-exsisting condition.

PMM

[fujisan08]

Hi PMM, I was just diagnosed with this two days ago (my UHIP is valid until the end of this month and then expires). Will I still not be able to find an insurer?

[PMM]

Hi

Hi PMM, I was just diagnosed with this two days ago (my UHIP is valid until the end of this month and then expires). Will I still not be able to find an insurer?

As the diagnosis has already been done, it is now a pre-existing condition.  No insurance company is going to insure a person where the treatment will probably cost more than the insurance policy payment.

PMM

[fujisan08]

okay, but I need a general insurance policy too right as I am no longer under UHIP after this month. Do you know of any good private insurers in Ontario??

[fujisan08]

anyone??

[Leon]

So you are not covered by OHIP?  I have always been covered by some provincial plan, don't even know anybody who had to buy full private covereage but I know some ppl who have blue cross for supplemental insurance and are happy with it.

http://www.settlement.org/sys/library_detail.asp?doc_id=1003775 might help?

[fujisan08]

I'm an international student so I don't qualify for OHIP. I'll check out that site, thanks.

[madraida]

Are provincial health care rules different in Ontario.

I'm an international student in BC and I have a provincial health care plan (BCMSP). That is in addition to the Health & Dental Care Plan I get through the University (specifically, through the Graduate Student Society).  In BC, being enrolled in BCMSP was a requirement unless I can show a health care plan from my country that is considered equivalent to BCMSP.

Are you sure you don't have OHIP?
I thought a provincial health care plan is required for all Canadian (not necessarily citizens) residents.

EDIT:
I learn something new everyday.
Yes, it's true. International students are not eligible for OHIP (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/ohip_mn.html). I'm so glad I chose BC!

To the OP, You'll have to call the insurance companies and ask them about pre-existing conditions.

[Leon]

Ontario also doesn't cover spouses of temporary workers because they have an open work permit.  To be covered, the temporary worker has to have a work permit tied to an Ontario employer.  I guess they are very strict over there.