pregnant without BC MSP

[ak23]

hi we are expecting however the wives MSP has not started. We are on the three month wait time. please advise if there is a way around the wait time.

 

[polara69]

hi we are expecting however the wives MSP has not started. We are on the three month wait time. please advise if there is a way around the wait time.

A bit more info would help..how many months? 1 or 8? Makes a difference..

 

[canuck_in_uk]

No, there is no way around the wait time for BC MSP. You will have to pay out of pocket for any medical expenses until she receives coverage.

 

[Leon]

And make sure you stay in BC for at least 6 months in the first year after you landed or they could back charge you for what they covered for you. You need to stay in BC at least 6 months out of every 12 in order to keep your MSP eligibility. If you leave without spending at least 6 months in the first year, they can decide that you were never eligible in the first place and therefore retroactively cancel your MSP.

 

[smk_ujs]

Leon,

6 months in the first year? What about the second year and so forth? What is first year counted as? first year of establishing residence in BC or first year after landing in Canada?

 

[Leon]

Leon,

6 months in the first year? What about the second year and so forth? What is first year counted as? first year of establishing residence in BC or first year after landing in Canada?

In BC, the eligibility requirements are 6 months per calendar year according to http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible If you land in BC or move to BC after July 1st, you can obviously not meet these requirements for your first year in which case they might excuse you completely or have some other requirements. You would have to ask them. After your first year, you always have to spend at least 6 months per year in BC in order to keep your coverage. If you don't, you stand to lose your coverage if they find out and could be back charged for services you have received if they deem that you have been using it after you should have lost your coverage.

There was one person on this forum who that happened to. She said she landed in BC. She waited her 2-3 months to get a health card. After getting a health card, she gave birth to a baby. She left BC and went back to her home country. She spent a total of 5.5 months in BC that calendar year. BC health was aware of her having left as she kept paying her premiums from overseas and once it was apparent that she would not meet her 6/12 months eligibility requirement for that first year, they cancelled her health care retroactively and back charged her for the birth of her baby.

 

[smk_ujs]

Thanks Leon,

That was informative.

What is this premium thing that we need to pay?
Do we have to pay premium only in BC or other provinces as well?

 

[Tri-Cities]

Premium is the monthly "rate" you have to pay. The premium depends on the income.
---> http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/premiums

Leon is right, I also know someone who had to pay back what was oovered by BC MSP. She had been in BCfor about 4 years and left to visit her mom. Since you're supposed to tell BC MSP when you plan on leaving she did let them know and later on she was billed quite a bit because she didn't meet the requirements.

You should look up all the information given on their website:
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp

And people should think about one important thing: The folks of BC have to pay for fraud comitted by some ignorant people!

Yes, costs for Premiums go up almost every year but one reason is fraud!

As far as I know Alberta health care is still "free". BUT Alberta got approx. 60.000 (maybe even more!) unemployed workers just from the energy sector. So despite all the usual issues every Province has to deal with, Alberta has to deal with a really tough tragedy and does not need people who want to move there just because health care doesn't cost anything (which isn't true anyway).

Another option could be to give birth in your home country. Might be easier since you know your way around back home.

Good luck!

 

[Leon]

Not all provinces are charging premiums. As far as I know, it's BC and ON and AB soon to start doing it too if they haven't already. AB had premiums in the past but stopped them a few years ago. As far as I know, the premiums are all on a sliding scale so if you are low income, you don't pay.