Pregnant, no insurance, no status yet - what to do?

[kelliana]

Hey there, I am waiting for my immigration to come through (In-Canada) and found out a couple of days ago that I am pregnant!!! It is so exciting but bummer! we never made insurance for me. My student visa expired so I am on an implied status. As far as I know CIC won't provide any document to prove my so called implied status. Is there a way to get an insurance? What should I do, where should I go.

Thanks.

[Indigo]

First of all, congratulations!
I'm glad you are at least happy about it, eventhough the timing isn't ideal!

When did you send your application? If it's more than a year ago, perhaps you are close to getting your PR?

Does your husband have a job? Perhaps you could get a loan to pay for the medical expenses if nothing else works?

[newdelhi2011]

Congratulations 

I would suggest you to find a private health insurance asap if you are far from getting approve. I guess you will be seeing your dr regularly so it's better to get covered.
Good luck

[chelley]

congrats!

you are right that no health insurance will cover any pre-existing conditions related to pregnancy including birth...

you didn't say which province you are in, but in many provinces a midwife provides the same services as an OB at a reduced rate or even free of charge... tests/ultrasounds and any hospital charges aren't covered, but it will enable you to get proper prenatal care affordably...

if you are early on in the process i suggest you start saving for the delivery in case you are not yet covered by under provincial care... depending on the type of delivery, this can run between 3,000 and 30,000 or more... remember... some provinces have a 3 month waiting period before you would be covered, so if you live in one of these, your PR would have to come in before your 6th month to cover a full-term delivery.

[kelliana]

I am in Alberta and I applied on June 30th, it has been 4,5 months since I applied and it means 6 months or so to go! Do you know if I can somehow get Alberta health care without any paper proving my implied status. I don't have any paper right now and as soon as I know they don't provide anything.

What private insurance companies would you recommend then?

[suki]

Blue Cross, try them...

[ditta]

Blue Cross does not cover you unless you have your permanent status, they do have insurance for travellers but that does not cover any pregnancy related costs. Some people could obtain Alberta Health Card if they were admitted as a visitor for at least 6 months. However as you stated you have no valid status at the moment. I would recommend you to save up for your delivery as others already did, you may want to contact hospitals in your area and check with them whether you could pay in settlement. Also keep in mind that you have to pay for the regular medical check-ups too, usually one appointment every two weeks, tests, etc.

[wakeup]

I don't think there is any way to go about this unless you cough dollars. I would suggest home birth yourbirthcoach.com

[destanova]

I second chelley's advice. I'm currently pregnant in Ontario and without provincial health insurance. I found a midwife who is providing my prenatal care free of charge. I still have to pay for tests/labs/medications out of pocket, but the savings of not paying for a doctor is amazing. Fortunately, I'll be covered by OHIP by my due date, but even if I wasn't, my midwives will deliver at home for no charge as well.

If a midwife is the route you choose to take, please make the calls ASAP. They fill up fast, and unlike OB/GYN's, they can't take on a large patient load.

[newdelhi2011]

i don't think you will have to wait for 3 months after receiving PR since you have already lived there as a student.

[cantor2537]

I'm a physician in BC.

Unfortunately, you probably don't qualify for AHC if you don't have any immigration status.

You likely won't be covered by any insurance company as pregnancy is a pre-existing condition (you can't hide this as they can easily determine when you got pregnant).

I second the others here. Your best bet is to get a doctor or midwife who will take you on free of charge. A midwife is best as they do home births and you can avoid hospital charges. Just cross your fingers that your pregnancy will be uncomplicated.

Good luck!

[inflex]

congrats!

you are right that no health insurance will cover any pre-existing conditions related to pregnancy including birth...

you didn't say which province you are in, but in many provinces a midwife provides the same services as an OB at a reduced rate or even free of charge... tests/ultrasounds and any hospital charges aren't covered, but it will enable you to get proper prenatal care affordably...

if you are early on in the process i suggest you start saving for the delivery in case you are not yet covered by under provincial care... depending on the type of delivery, this can run between 3,000 and 30,000 or more... remember... some provinces have a 3 month waiting period before you would be covered, so if you live in one of these, your PR would have to come in before your 6th month to cover a full-term delivery.

Which provinces require a 3-month wait before coverage?

[cantor2537]

Which provinces require a 3-month wait before coverage?

I think they all do.

[AmericaninQuebec]

Which provinces require a 3-month wait before coverage?

I know they do in Quebec. You don't receive coverage by the provincial health insurance in QC until 3 mths after you have registered with the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, which you can't do until you have your PR (and I think maybe your social insurance number).

[pinklady]

Which provinces require a 3-month wait before coverage?

Ontario,
I landed in April, was eligible for healthcare in July.