Do we really need temp health insurance??
Dec 20th 2013, 11:53 am
#16
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
Hello...!
My hubby and I are flying out to Calgary next month. I am on a study permit and hubby temp work permit.
My immigration consultant has advised I should register with my college asap for health insurance. After research I see we can also register for Alberta health insurance and this will run from the date we land.
Because of this could someone please tell me, do we actually need to purchase temp health insurance?!
Also I assume we would need to find temp accommodation asap as a Canadian address would be needed to apply for the insurance??
Thank you in advance for you help
PS: I am aware we need to be registered within the first 3 months of arriving in Calgary
My hubby and I are flying out to Calgary next month. I am on a study permit and hubby temp work permit.
My immigration consultant has advised I should register with my college asap for health insurance. After research I see we can also register for Alberta health insurance and this will run from the date we land.
Because of this could someone please tell me, do we actually need to purchase temp health insurance?!
Also I assume we would need to find temp accommodation asap as a Canadian address would be needed to apply for the insurance??
Thank you in advance for you help
PS: I am aware we need to be registered within the first 3 months of arriving in Calgary
When my daughter went to uni in Toronto health insurance was compulsory for international students.
During a visit to Toronto this summer I had to go the the ER...which resulted in 5 day hospital stay. The bill was in the region of $30K which we had to pay before I left hospital. I did not have surgery...if I had the bill would probably have been nearer $100K. Therefore my advice would be...make sure you both have appropriate insurance.
Dec 20th 2013, 1:09 pm
#17
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
When my daughter went to uni in Toronto health insurance was compulsory for international students.
During a visit to Toronto this summer I had to go the the ER...which resulted in 5 day hospital stay. The bill was in the region of $30K which we had to pay before I left hospital. I did not have surgery...if I had the bill would probably have been nearer $100K. Therefore my advice would be...make sure you both have appropriate insurance.
During a visit to Toronto this summer I had to go the the ER...which resulted in 5 day hospital stay. The bill was in the region of $30K which we had to pay before I left hospital. I did not have surgery...if I had the bill would probably have been nearer $100K. Therefore my advice would be...make sure you both have appropriate insurance.
If an individual cannot get provincial they should carry private insurance which they purchase prior to leaving their home country.
Dec 21st 2013, 4:49 am
#18
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
Alberta health will cover you for "most" hospital in-patient costs, should the need arise, but you have to pay for things like crutches, or a boot-cast if you happened to break your ankle while skiing. And physio would not be covered, for instance.
Also consider, if you should break a tooth or lose a filling can you afford to fix that without insurance?
You can go to a walk-in medical clinic if you need to see a GP, but you will have to pay full price for any prescribed drugs if you don't have insurance.
If one of you gets insurance through "school", you might have the option to have the other included (don't know), but otherwise I'd suggest getting coverage via Alberta Blue Cross, or similar ......
Up to you really. You might never need it, such is the nature of insurance!
Also consider, if you should break a tooth or lose a filling can you afford to fix that without insurance?
You can go to a walk-in medical clinic if you need to see a GP, but you will have to pay full price for any prescribed drugs if you don't have insurance.
If one of you gets insurance through "school", you might have the option to have the other included (don't know), but otherwise I'd suggest getting coverage via Alberta Blue Cross, or similar ......
Up to you really. You might never need it, such is the nature of insurance!
Dec 21st 2013, 7:27 am
#19
finally together...
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Prince George, BC
Posts: 811
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
I would if you can afford it. My darling son decided to pop a bit of gravel in his ear, $500 later they had flushed it out of there you just never know! 
Besides, isn't it tax deductible?
Besides, isn't it tax deductible?
Dec 21st 2013, 3:54 pm
#20
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
Dec 22nd 2013, 5:10 pm
#21
Pondering a career change
Joined: May 2012
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC
Posts: 2,595
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
Have not had to use it and now have my MSP card but I am glad I had the piece of mind that myself and my OH had cover for the first few months till MSP and my company extended kicked in 
Dec 22nd 2013, 7:29 pm
#22
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,648
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
Hello...!
My hubby and I are flying out to Calgary next month. I am on a study permit and hubby temp work permit.
My immigration consultant has advised I should register with my college asap for health insurance. After research I see we can also register for Alberta health insurance and this will run from the date we land.
Because of this could someone please tell me, do we actually need to purchase temp health insurance?!
Also I assume we would need to find temp accommodation asap as a Canadian address would be needed to apply for the insurance??
Thank you in advance for you help
PS: I am aware we need to be registered within the first 3 months of arriving in Calgary
My hubby and I are flying out to Calgary next month. I am on a study permit and hubby temp work permit.
My immigration consultant has advised I should register with my college asap for health insurance. After research I see we can also register for Alberta health insurance and this will run from the date we land.
Because of this could someone please tell me, do we actually need to purchase temp health insurance?!
Also I assume we would need to find temp accommodation asap as a Canadian address would be needed to apply for the insurance??
Thank you in advance for you help
PS: I am aware we need to be registered within the first 3 months of arriving in Calgary
Getting your health card will probably be half a day in a local government bureau registering and then a wait of two to three weeks.
You don't want to be in that example of people who were too foolish not to and then stuck with a massive health bill.
Last edited by JamesM; Dec 22nd 2013 at 8:05 pm.
Dec 22nd 2013, 7:32 pm
#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 64
Re: Do we really need temp health insurance??
When we moved to Canada, we took out private insurance for 3 months.. This was the wait period at the time before we were eligible for 'resident' MSP status..
This may have changed but well worth making sure... My hubby was bitten by a dog and had to go to ER for treatment.. So it certainly paid for us to have the private policy.
This may have changed but well worth making sure... My hubby was bitten by a dog and had to go to ER for treatment.. So it certainly paid for us to have the private policy.
