Moving to Canada
May 9th 2005, 3:55 am
#16
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Moving to Canada
My aged mother (80+ and with a history of heart problems and other fun stuff) is coming to visit me in the summer. I made it very plain to her that she absolutely had to get top-notch medical insurance, or not come.
I believe that her insurance is costing her more than the plane ticket.
I believe that her insurance is costing her more than the plane ticket.
May 9th 2005, 4:00 am
#17
mshlgw
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Pombaria, Alvaiazere
Posts: 54
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by iaink
If you have a heart attack you will in all probability be hospitalised whether you like it or not, and wont be flying anywhere soon.
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
I appreciate everyone's comments but I am probably more confused now due to differing opinions and I want to believe you all!!!
May 9th 2005, 4:15 am
#18
mshlgw
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Pombaria, Alvaiazere
Posts: 54
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by iaink
If you have a heart attack you will in all probability be hospitalised whether you like it or not, and wont be flying anywhere soon.
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
I appreciate your views on the NHS but I still live here and know what happens and do not want to get into that discussion. As I said, I appreciate eveyone's opinions on living in Canada and just want an informed view on the realities of it.
May 9th 2005, 4:18 am
#19
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,022
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by iaink
If you have a heart attack you will in all probability be hospitalised whether you like it or not, and wont be flying anywhere soon.
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
Your friend who has the US insurance that they are saving for emergencies...how much is the premium for that. Its probably a good indication for what to expect for the OP.
My mum ended up in hospital here on a visit, and although there was the suspicion that the hospital was gouging her insurance for all it could, her stay of less then 4 days cost in excess of $5k.
There is also the danger that is the NHS figures out that you are not infact a UK resident anymore, they will not treat you for free anyway. Just not worth the risk IMO. To recieve treatment on the NHS you have to have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less than 5. However if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years then you can get free treatment, but you have to get there, so is it worth it?
My partner gets her health insurance at a discount rate through a group plan. More typical is the family of three with whom we stayed recently, theirs is US$850/month for "crap, minimal coverage with a shitty HMO".
Just to complicate matters, remember that medical care is subject to a tax break in Canada and it's one tax break on which the authorities are quite liberal. One year I claimed, and was allowed, $30,000 under "medical", I suppose less than fifteen was actual doctor's bills but we were allowed cost of travel, cost of accomodation, lots of incidental items. It's no help if you're retired but if you have taxable income in Canada the break can be a big deal.
May 9th 2005, 4:25 am
#20
mshlgw
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Pombaria, Alvaiazere
Posts: 54
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by dbd33
Not getting treated upon entry the UK is certainly a serious exposure, the rest is just a matter of personal risk tolerance. I, for example, don't have any health insurance beyond OHIP and I'm a frequent visitor to the US; there have been several years in which I've spent more nights there than in Canada. I trust that I'll be able to drag my bleeding body across the border.
My partner gets her health insurance at a discount rate through a group plan. More typical is the family of three with whom we stayed recently, theirs is US$850/month for "crap, minimal coverage with a shitty HMO".
Just to complicate matters, remember that medical care is subject to a tax break in Canada and it's one tax break on which the authorities are quite liberal. One year I claimed, and was allowed, $30,000 under "medical", I suppose less than fifteen was actual doctor's bills but we were allowed cost of travel, cost of accomodation, lots of incidental items. It's no help if you're retired but if you have taxable income in Canada the break can be a big deal.
My partner gets her health insurance at a discount rate through a group plan. More typical is the family of three with whom we stayed recently, theirs is US$850/month for "crap, minimal coverage with a shitty HMO".
Just to complicate matters, remember that medical care is subject to a tax break in Canada and it's one tax break on which the authorities are quite liberal. One year I claimed, and was allowed, $30,000 under "medical", I suppose less than fifteen was actual doctor's bills but we were allowed cost of travel, cost of accomodation, lots of incidental items. It's no help if you're retired but if you have taxable income in Canada the break can be a big deal.
I am still getting more confused. Do I come to Canada or not???
May 9th 2005, 4:36 am
#21
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by mshlgw
I am still getting more confused. Do I come to Canada or not???
May 9th 2005, 4:45 am
#22
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by mshlgw
I am still getting more confused. Do I come to Canada or not???
Why Canada anyway? Why move away from a lifetimes worth of friends, family and familiarity?
May 9th 2005, 10:57 am
#23
mshlgw
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Pombaria, Alvaiazere
Posts: 54
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by iaink
Well, they got rid of the retirement category for a reason. Do you qualify under any of the other categories?
Why Canada anyway? Why move away from a lifetimes worth of friends, family and familiarity?
Why Canada anyway? Why move away from a lifetimes worth of friends, family and familiarity?
Does over 1 million pounds in the bank category count???
May 9th 2005, 11:17 pm
#24
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9,606
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by mshlgw
Does over 1 million pounds in the bank category count???
If you've really got that sort of dosh to hand, the investor route would probably be your best bet. It costs more up front but you eventually get your money back (without interest).
On the other hand, if you're prepared to be a bit more hands-on, the entrpreneur route may be better. You have three years to come up with the goods. I know a couple who did just that. They "retired" until CIC started to lean on them and then simply bought a pub. Their only involvement was doing the books.
May 10th 2005, 12:25 am
#25
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 366
Re: Moving to Canada
I think I read somewhere that you could retire there but there's a minimum amount you have to bring with you. Not sure though as it does sound similar to the business route.....
May 10th 2005, 12:46 am
#26
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Moving to Canada
Originally Posted by proo
I think I read somewhere that you could retire there but there's a minimum amount you have to bring with you. Not sure though as it does sound similar to the business route.....
Still dont understand the OPs motivation to leave a lifetime of family and friends behind and start from scratch. Sure the money will go further and you will have a nice big palatial house and a few big cars, but noone to share them with
