Temporary Work Permit & Health Insurance Coverage

[Slick]

Hello all,

I am a citizen of France and applied under the Youth Mobility Program.  I am now approved for a one year work permit.  It appears that one of the condition would also me to insure myself for the duration of the stay (please see copy text below).  

One of the conditions of the Canada-France Youth Exchanges Agreement is that
you subscribe to comprehensive insurance coverage (health
care/hospitalization/repatriation) for the duration of your stay in Canada.
Whether you are leaving France for one month or for one year, you will not be
adequately covered by the French health care system. Medical and hospitalization costs
can be very high in Canada, therefore it is essential that you subscribe to health
care/hospitalization/repatriation insurance before you leave.

The embassy does not provide information on specific insurance policies or companies.
However, most insurance companies can offer packages for travel abroad. Prices and
coverage can vary widely from one company to another; you may wish to contact
several insurers before making your choice. Before buying insurance, make sure that
the policy:
• covers health care/hospitalization/repatriation;
• is valid for all of Canada (the policy should specify North America,
Canada/USA or worldwide coverage);
• is valid for the duration of your stay in Canada.
It is possible to combine several insurance policies, for instance one for health care and
hospitalisation and one for repatriation.

Proof of this insurance coverage must be presented to Immigration officials upon
arrival to Canada.

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?  I was never aware of this health insurance requirement for temporary workers.

I'm wondering if it a "TRUE" requirement...  Will the Canadian Immigration really check for proof of this insurance once I arrive?

I just can't imagine the Canadian Government imposing this rule on all the temporary workers.  

If this is truly a requirement, can anyone provide names of insurance companies that would offer such coverage?

Please give me your feedback, or if any temporary workers can further comment, that would be great.
Thanks for all your help!

[BCguy]

Havent you guys heard of PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE???You are not covered under the first 3 months under Provincial Health Plans right???So If you are hit by a Truck who pays your Medical bill???French Goverment???I dont think so Wake up Sometimes you have to pay your way like the MAJORITY of the world.List of Insurance companies that provide this???????????ALL Insurance agencies in Canada.Good Luck and please dont expect the state to be your mother in the future

[Slick]

Havent you guys heard of PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE???You are not covered under the first 3 months under Provincial Health Plans right???So If you are hit by a Truck who pays your Medical bill???French Goverment???I dont think so Wake up Sometimes you have to pay your way like the MAJORITY of the world.List of Insurance companies that provide this???????????ALL Insurance agencies in Canada.Good Luck and please dont expect the state to be your mother in the future

Dearest BCgirl,

OBVIOUSLY, if I had known the answer to my question, I would have not posted it here. 

Private Medical Insurance is a common option worldwide.  I just wanted to share this so that I could get some more input and advice on the matter, preferrably, from people who actually had similar experience (work permit recipient).

With all your rambling above, you still have not answered any of my questions.

So please take a chill pill and read my questions VERY SLLLOOOOWWWLLLLYYYY.....

Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?  I was never aware of this health insurance requirement for temporary workers.

I'm wondering if it a "TRUE" requirement...  Will the Canadian Immigration really check for proof of this insurance once I arrive?

If this is truly a requirement, can anyone provide names of insurance companies that would offer such coverage?

Now, after carefully reading the questions and analyzing them, if you have somewhat of a positive intellectual response, please feel free to share.  If not, keep your ignorant and negative rambling to yourself.

[BCguy]

Once More,The Provincial Health Systems do not cover you until 3 months residence,Who will pay you medical Bills in case you do need our services??Yes In Many cases,they ask about your medical coverage.Blue Cross is Internationally known.I sounded a bit upset because of people FREELOADING on the Healt Care System,As a Goverment employee,I am aware of the millions forced on the BC Goverment by people without medical coverage.Its Guy by the way and Yes the last two freeloaders were 2 FRENCH Tourists who get themselves injured Skiing Without coverage,Guess who paid their bills???54,000 to the BC Taxpayer

[Leon]

Yeah, it's sad.  BC should send the bill to France and see if they pay it.  I wonder if we'd get the same service if we got injured skiing in the Alps.

[Slick]

Once More,The Provincial Health Systems do not cover you until 3 months residence,Who will pay you medical Bills in case you do need our services??Yes In Many cases,they ask about your medical coverage.Blue Cross is Internationally known.I sounded a bit upset because of people FREELOADING on the Healt Care System,As a Goverment employee,I am aware of the millions forced on the BC Goverment by people without medical coverage.Its Guy by the way and Yes the last two freeloaders were 2 FRENCH Tourists who get themselves injured Skiing Without coverage,Guess who paid their bills???54,000 to the BC Taxpayer

BCguy,

I totally understand your frustration in regards to "freeloaders".  Believe me, we have our share of them here in France.
Thank you for the "Blue Cross" reference, I truly appreciate.  I will start looking into it right away.

However (just for the sake of good argument and to keep this post going) why is a temporary work permit holder required to purchase health insurance and not a plain old simple visitor?  Or, are we just all assuming that tourists never get injured during their stay?  I guess I am quite a bit confused in regards to this...

Please feel free to elaborate on my question above, and to all other "Hero Members", please do not hesitate to participate in this post.