Health insurance for short term - bc (untill we get msp)

[SeanDame]

A new immigrant does not have insurance for the first 90 days in BC.
My wife is pregnant and is due within these first 90 days...
Could someone please point to an economic private health insurance that covers pregnancy??

Thanks

 

[Leon]

I know of no insurance that will cover the delivery when your wife is already pregnant.

 

[haver]

Sorry, but there is no insurance company in Canada that will cover the delivery. Leon is absolutely correct!

 

[on-hold]

You need to move to Alberta or Manitoba immediately -- rent a cheap apartment, take the lease, your PR information, and a bank statement or a utility bill down to a processing centre and get a health card posthaste. Doing this will be far cheaper than paying for the birth yourself, even if it is perfectly uncomplicated. Why did you settle in BC when you knew your wife would be giving birth?

 

[Leon]

If you read his older posts, you see he was already on a work permit in BC and applied through PNP. He lost his health care because he went out of status I assume. His restoration and new work permit approved apparently in February so I guess he has to wait 2 months plus a balance of the third and should get coverage May 1st which might be soon enough for the baby.

Moving to AB or Manitoba now will not get him first day health care as he has been living in BC for a while and so they will see it as a move from BC and he will still have to wait 3 months.

 

[on-hold]

Oh, my apologies -- I assumed that he was a just-landed PR.

Well, one thought -- when I landed in BC as a PR, they processed my health card and I received it within about a month and a half; and it was good then. Maybe three months is the maximum interval, not an absolute, and this will happen with the OP too.

Perhaps he could go inquire at a local woman's shelter about what resources are available; there must be situations like this where women without health care need assistance.

 

[Leon]

I believe that in BC, it's 2 months plus a balance of the third so somewhere between 2 and 3 months to get covered.

He could look for a free clinic or a midwife.

If he is in some kind of trouble with MSP and goes to AB instead, he could expect to get health care in 2 months plus the balance of the third so as long as he arrives in March, even at the end of March, they would get coverage by June 1st. However, he doesn't say exactly when his wife is due. June 1st may not be soon enough.

 

[goldenbrown]

Just FYI there are community programs that provide support during pregnancy. These programs can direct you to pregnancy information, nurses, dietitians, as well as prenatal programs and groups for pregnant women.

Just look up a Community Health Centre in your area, I know in Toronto some services related to pregnancy can be provided for free.

Moving to other provinces might not be the best idea- I'm sure any benefit you receive can be clawed back if you are trying to take advantage of the system.

For more info check this article:

<a href=http://arbetovinsurance.com/2014/03/28/the-ultimate-guide-to-pregnancy-insurance/>Pregnancy Coverage</a>