Medicare for British expats?
 

Just curious if you British expats are entitled to Canadian Medicare (Canadian equivalent of NHS services) with your visas?

My partner has been contemplating moving to Canada with me (I am Canadian) but he has been on incapacity benefits awaiting an apointment since October 2005.

His worry is that he may not be entitled to free healthcare in Canada if/when he moves there to join me.

Can anyone in similar cicumstances advise on their experiences please?

Thanks in advance :)

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

depends on the province. For Ontario the answer is no unless he gets PR, or a work permit with a named employer.

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

The province in question would be Quebec.. my OH is trilingual in English French & German. Since most of my family are near(ish) to Montreal, thats where we would most likely be settling. Would he be entitled to Medicare coverage there?

Thanks for your response batty :)

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

What will be his visa status? You could always check at:
http://www.ramq.gouv.qc.ca

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

I looked again in the OHIP site and it doesnt really mention your situation. If youwere a foreign worker with a 3 yr work permit then yes he would be, so it does seem hard that a canadians partner wouldnt be.

I dont know about Quebec but it sounds like he would be sought after for jobs anyway.

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

If he has legal status in canada then he will either be eligable imediately or after a short waiting period.

The bigger problem is that his pre existing condition will not be covered by any suplimentary (private or employer supplied) health insurance, and provincial heath coverage DOES NOT cover the cost of prescription drugs, which can be high.

If hes eligable for provincial disability insurance payouts here then there might be some provision, depending on income.

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

[QUOTE=The bigger problem is that his pre existing condition will not be covered by any suplimentary (private or employer supplied) health insurance, and provincial heath coverage DOES NOT cover the cost of prescription drugs, which can be high.

I hope to be moving out from the U.K this year. I never gave the cost of Prescription Medicines a thought. Took it for granted I suppose.
Is ther a "Cap" on the cost of prescriptions under Medicare as if not, you could spend all your salary on staying alive in the worst case scenario ?

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

Thanks for the responses so far (and the link, having a look shortly).

JAJ: I think when I investigated ages ago, that I found out he would qualify as my 'civil partner' as we have proof of having co-habited together for the past 3 years (joint bills same address, both names on leases etc)...

I'll have to try and find the website again, I think it was one that added up 'points' and then told you wether you could get into Canada or not, or something to that effect. :confused:

We've considered getting married to clarify our relationship status and simplify the process of dealing with our respective governments, but obviously we would prefer to wait until we have work & enough money to do the marriage properly. :o

Anyone out there know that 'points' kind of website I was talking about, where you answer a bunch of questions and in the end it tells you if you qualify to emigrate into Canada?

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

Ok lets simplify this.

Are you a Canadian Citizen?

Can you prove a common-law relationship?

If you answer yes to both SURELY he can come over on a 'spousal'?????

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

The skys the limit. Medicare covers NO prescription med costs outside of hospital. However, if you are at poverty level there are a few government and charity schemes, but its nothing you want to be relying on.

Some doctors will prescribe according to your means (ie wont proscribe expensive meds you cant afford /are not insured for), and they have been know to hand out drug company samples to those who cant afford the drugs otherwise. Also in Ontario there is something called the trilium drug program

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/.../trillium.html

I dont know whether new residents would even be eligable, or if other provinces run siimilar programs. Poverty is a requirement anyway:(

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

I think you are confusing skilled worker (points based) with spousal / common law routes.

Spousal sponsorship is much faster, and as butch says, if either of you is a Canadian citizen, and you've been cohabiting to the point you are considered a common law couple, then thats the way to go.

Either way its all described on the cic site http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html
under either skilled worker or family class sections. Thats the "horses mouth" as far as points self assessment goes too, bit that shouldn't apply to your case.

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

I sure am, I am in the process of renewing my Canadian passport.

We can prove common-law relationship as we have leases & bills (and joint bank accounts) stretching up to 3 years ago.

I'm sure he could come over on spousal sponsorship, read through the website link I was given the other day.

Our main worry is, he's been on incapacity benefits the past year+ and is on a waiting list to be seen for diagnosis, is it worthwhile moving over before this has been resolved or should he stay here & join me later in Canada?

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

Thank you for the link & info Iain, with you & the others help I'm almost positive I can get my OH in on spousal... wether its the best thing to do or not I guess can't be told in advance. :blink: I guess we'll find out! *lol*:o

Re: Medicare for British expats?
 

Can you afford two return flights?

If so, apply for spousal, take him over land he applies for his PR which is sent to a family address in Canada and then sent out to you (now that you have returned to the UK). Since you are a Canadian Citizen he can remain out of the country indefinitely BUT still maintain PR status, therefore enabling him to recieve treatment\diagnosis in the UK.

Does that help??? ;)