Canadian Husband/American Wife who's pregnant... help?

[michaelab]

My opinion: If you don't have an insurance now in the States, it might be better to have a baby in Canada since the baby will be covered at birth. Thats my opinion though.

If you do have an insurance then have a baby in the States and get him/her an insurance..but again this is good only if your baby doesn't have any health problems. In order for an insurance complany to cover the baby you will need to wait til the baby has her official well baby checkup first ( so takes like 1 month or so).

Here is a link if you are interested in looking for a quote : http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/ehi/Alliance?allid=Goo25151

We got a letter from CIC about my baby's citizenship certificate and it says the process will take 5-8 months at this time. So if you are not having a baby in Canada make sure you have all the supportive documents ready such as the father's birth certificate.

This freaking blows. I hate how complicated this is! So basically I need to hope that I'm allowed into Canada this September and then, if I am, I need to pay for my OB visits and delivery out of pocket.

I don't know who I spoke to before at the Consulate, but you guys were right. My baby, if born in the States, would have to wait the 12 month waiting period for a certificate of citizenship before she could get OHIP... so If I have the baby here I'llbe paying out of pocket for health costs for an infant for an entire year. Wouldn't paying for a delivery be cheaper?

 

[YorkFactory]

If you (yourself) have insurance in the U.S., you may want to have the baby there. You do not need a certificate of citizenship to get OHIP. There are other ways to show citizenship.

This freaking blows. I hate how complicated this is! So basically I need to hope that I'm allowed into Canada this September and then, if I am, I need to pay for my OB visits and delivery out of pocket.

I don't know who I spoke to before at the Consulate, but you guys were right. My baby, if born in the States, would have to wait the 12 month waiting period for a certificate of citizenship before she could get OHIP... so If I have the baby here I'llbe paying out of pocket for health costs for an infant for an entire year. Wouldn't paying for a delivery be cheaper?

 

[cassiebroadway]

So I can have the baby here and get her OHIP in how many months?

And for the other posters, yes I do have insurance here. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. I'm looking into using a midwife and doing a home birth in Canada, though. Apparently that would cost me almost nothing, which sounds pretty good! haha.

 

[michaelab]

I thought these sites might be useful to see: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001239
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/eligibility.html
http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001246%20

Here is the site on waiting periods for OHIP : http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/wait.html

So I can have the baby here and get her OHIP in how many months?

And for the other posters, yes I do have insurance here. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. I'm looking into using a midwife and doing a home birth in Canada, though. Apparently that would cost me almost nothing, which sounds pretty good! haha.

 

[bobshynoswife]

OP - I was pleased to see your recent post about midwives because I was coming here to suggest that to you.

Midwives have only been funded by our provincial government in Alberta since last year. When I gave birth at home in 2003 (to a 10 pound 4 oz baby girl!) I paid $2500. This included all pre-natal visits (each one lasted about an hour) the birth as well as 5 or 6 home visits to make sure breastfeeding was working well and that I was doing alright. It also included my 6 week postpartum check for me and the baby.

The only concern would be getting into a midwife, as I know in Alberta they practically have a 10 month waiting list! There are many more midwives in ON though, as it's been covered through OHIP for many years.

If I were you, I'd start calling around ASAP.

Laura

 

[michaelab]

My husband called OHIP today and the lady said the baby has to have a citizenship certificate before we can get her the coverage. Not sure about the waiting period..maybe he should call back on Monday. When apply, the parent must supply the residency proof (such as hydro bills) and photocopy of the parent's passport. Our baby was born outside of Canada.

 

[heatherusa]

My husband called OHIP today and the lady said the baby has to have a citizenship certificate before we can get her the coverage. Not sure about the waiting period..maybe he should call back on Monday. When apply, the parent must supply the residency proof (such as hydro bills) and photocopy of the parent's passport. Our baby was born outside of Canada.

All of this talk about health coverage freaked me right out so I emailed Alberta Health Care about how to prove my daughter is eligible if I am waiting for her Certificate.

The reply I received was this

"As a child of a Canadian citizen we do not require documentation for your daughter, only for yourself as the applicant."

I am surprised it is so different in Ontario.

 

[can_usa_97]

All of this talk about health coverage freaked me right out so I emailed Alberta Health Care about how to prove my daughter is eligible if I am waiting for her Certificate.

The reply I received was this

"As a child of a Canadian citizen we do not require documentation for your daughter, only for yourself as the applicant."

I am surprised it is so different in Ontario.

Me too - But it is, sadly

 

[michaelab]

It really rottens you know..I feel bad for my daughter for not having the same rights as the babies born in Canada..even she is a Canadian by birth. What if she had health problems and uninsurable in wherever she is outside of Canada? I feel that is so not right about this situation.

Fortunately she doesn't have any health issues..but "what if" you know.

All of this talk about health coverage freaked me right out so I emailed Alberta Health Care about how to prove my daughter is eligible if I am waiting for her Certificate.

The reply I received was this

"As a child of a Canadian citizen we do not require documentation for your daughter, only for yourself as the applicant."

I am surprised it is so different in Ontario.

 

[can_usa_97]

It really rottens you know..I feel bad for my daughter for not having the same rights as the babies born in Canada..even she is a Canadian by birth. What if she had health problems and uninsurable in wherever she is outside of Canada? I feel that is so not right about this situation.

Fortunately she doesn't have any health issues..but "what if" you know.

Indeed... and what if during that 3 month wait too. Say they come down with something that requires hospitalization, or an accident happens. I mean at least you know you have to get coverage if you like.

I understand why a foreign just landed resident may need to wait.... but I agree, a citizen born abroad stinks!

I guess, in some ways I guess it helps protect the true residents of Ontario. Some people might take advantage of it and return just for the birth of their baby or for that triple bypass or just for the duration of their chemo. And then Jack, John and Jane (tax payers in Ontario) are footing the bill. -- not that I agree with it. I'd much rather not be concerned with if my kids will get sick in the 3 months they wait for coverage. my son does have a lower immune system it would seem and we are living with my SIL and her 3 kids who of which 1 will attend school, 2 daycare = germs - all - if goes according to plan will of course span over the cold/flu season.