American/Canadian?

Question

I'm American, and my hubby is Canadian. We've liked in the US so far, but now we have to move to Canada (Ontario). I'm 22 weeks pregnant, and worried about health care. How does that work if I am American? Thanks:)

Answer 1

I think you qualify for Health Care if you have a fixed address in Ontario.

The eligibility for OHIP is here:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/eligibility.html

And the main site is here:

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/ohip_mn.html

Congratulations!

Answer 2

I am currently having the same problem, the only difference is that I am actually a Canadian citizen.

But the answer is the same for the both of us I am afraid - you are not eligible for health coverage in Ontario unless you have met the minimum residency period of 3 months. It doesn't matter if your husband is Canadian or, as in my case, you yourself are Canadian, you won't be covered unless you have met this requirement.

I would apply as soon as you arrive and hopefully you will be covered in time for delivery. You will have to pay out of pocket for your other expenses. You could try insurance, but my research has shown that there aren't any insurance companies that will cover existing pregnancies as they are classified as a "preexisting condition"

I found some information on http://www.settlement.org/ which may be helpful to you.

Answer 3

You have to apply to be an immigrant, I guess. And apply for a Canadian citizen after 3 years. Your baby will be a Canadian if she/he will be born here.
Health Care is good as ever. I had surgery recently and went out of the hospital without paying a cent except for the phone in my semi- private room. Thank God for that!!!!
Welcome to Canada!!!!

Answer 4

You would need private insurance or to pay out of pocket. To the best of my knowledge there is no exception for pregnancy. Your child will be covered though. To the best of my knowledge there are no free clinics, except possibly for homeless people and you wouldn't qualify, but I could be wrong.

The infoline number is: 1-800-664-8988 or you may have to call 416-314-5518 because you are out of province.

Best of luck.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/ohip_mn.html
"Eligibility
Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). To be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must :

be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status as set out in Ontario's Health Insurance Act, and
make your permanent and principal home in Ontario, and
be physically present in Ontario 153 days in any 12-month period.
OHIP coverage normally becomes effective three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. The ministry strongly encourages new and returning residents to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period."

Am I eligible for OHIP right away or do I have to wait ?
There may be a three-month waiting period for your OHIP coverage.

If you are a newcomer to Ontario, or a former resident returning here to live after being out of the country for more than seven months, the waiting period begins on the date you establish or re-establish residence in Ontario. You are also required to be present in Ontario for 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date residency is established in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residency).

If you are an eligible resident moving to Ontario from another part of Canada, the health insurance of your former province/territory will cover you for up to three months.

If you are not covered by another the health insurance of another province/territory, it is important to buy private health insurance to cover you until you receive your Ontario health coverage.

Answer 5

You married a Canadian, so I don't think that will be a problem. Apply for health care coverage as soon as you set foot on Canadian soil. I don't think you'll have any problem. If you do, buy some health insurance to be safe..
Good luck with this.
And welcome to Canada! :)

Answer 6

My husband has been trying to talk me into moving. I am 26 weeks prego and have one child. It is all on the web site:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca
I know that we found it is moe than we can handle at this point. We are honestly looking into Europe at this point. Good luck, hope you find what your looking for.

Answer 7

you will not have a problem if you husband is CAnadian.