PR status attained, pregnant and no healthcare

[sanmeet]

Hello!

I'm new to this forum, could someone please advise on the following;

1) We received our permanent residency in January 2011 and did the landing in Toronto, we only stayed for 28 days and; received our PR & Sin card already; however we did not apply for medical card then...
2) We are now moving permamnent on March 29, 2013 and I'm pregnant (by the time we arrive there will be 23 weeks)
3) Question: Will I still need to shell out maternity expenses or will get coverage in Ontario (considering we have received PR)? and is the situation different in Alberta as I understand medical coverage is from the day you arrive however not sure if the maternity expenses are covered?

Kindly advise

 

[scylla]

You will have to live in Canada for three months before you will be covered by OHIP (Ontario health care coverage). During this three month period you will be responsible for paying for any costs related to your pregnancy or delivery out of your own pocket.

Since you landed in Ontario, you would not receive health care coverage in Alberta immediately if you moved there. A three month waiting period will still apply.

 

[sanmeet]

Thank you Scylla for a super quick response will have to work to work out expenses then...

Kind regards,

 

[Leon]

Alberta will most likely not look at your move now as a move from Ontario because you did not really settle there, you only spent 28 days there and that was 2 years ago. If AB health sees your move as a move from overseas and not from Ontario, you will get health care there first day.

However, you can not go to AB just to get a health card and then move to Ontario. In order to be eligible for health care in any province you must reside in that province at least 6 months a year. If you gain health care in one province and then move to another without staying 6 months in that first year, they could possibly decide that you were never eligible for their health care in the first place and back charge you for all the expenses they paid.

If you want to talk to AB health, you can find their number here: http://www.health.alberta.ca/contact.html

 

[sanmeet]

Many Thanks Leon for the detailed explanation and appreciate your assistance - we are definately considering to stay in Calagary, Alberta; (if not long, atleast until February 2014) which is almost a year. However the concern is if they will consider my maternity as a pre-existing or will still receive coverage?

 

[Leon]

Canadian health care does not have the concept of pre-existing. Either you are eligible or you are not. If you are eligible, you are fully covered.