edgardavids76

Hello,
I am in Canada on a TWP, sponsored by a company in Ottawa, Ontario. I've chosen to live over the border in Quebec (30 mins from my job).
It turns out that as a Temporary Worker I am only eligible for a Provincial Health Card in the province where the company who sponsored my application is registered: Ontario. As I live in Quebec I'm not eligible at all.

Has anyone experience of anything similar? I have extended health cover through work (dental etc.,) and emergency private cover, but no basic cover at all.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

DandNHill

We had a problem with provincial cover when we arrived because our son was 19 and so wasn't eligible for cover under my husband's TWP.
So until we got PR (13 months) my son had cover with bluecross! It was reasonably priced, about $250 every 3 months, never claimed though so no idea how easy that side of things is...

scrubbedexpat091

If you have emergency coverage, why not just pay cash to see the doctor when needed?

The walk in clinic in my town only charges 40 to see a doctor.

Aviator

You may find you don't have extended either as most (if not all) require you to have provincial health coverage. You may want to check with your extended provider if buying private cover is enough to satisfy their needs.

Option 2. - Move to ON

Option 3. - Get job in QC

edgardavids76

Thanks Aviator:
Yes, my employer has checked and I do have the extended healthcare benefits. I'm just waiting on my card now.

The OHIP helpline suggested I move to Ontario too.
The Quebec helpline suggested I get a job on this side of the border.

Neither's a quick-fix solution.

Geordie Lass

Might sound crazy but if you are travelling into work every day if you get sick can you not just drive over the border to the walk ins there? Obviously this would only work if you weren't really really sick but for general just a bit sick it would?

Not ideal but manageable til you get PR?

JAJ

Are you planning to apply for permanent residence through the federal system? If yes, a current address in QC might cause problems (because anyone planning to live in QC is supposed to get Quebec immigration approval).

On the other hand, if you plan to get PR through the Quebec route, moving to ON is probably not a good idea.

ninaDGBCA

You should check that a doc will actually see you without OHIP or the QC equivalent, solemnly with the private care. And that your private one will cover all costs. Our private just tops up what OHIP doesn't cover. So i.e. OHIP pays doc and Manulife the drugs. Not sure that they'd pay all in case we weren't eligible for OHIP.

edgardavids76

Thanks for all the replies.

I can't get an OHIP card because I don't have an Ontario address (fair enough).

I have no idea how I would go about seeing a doctor here. My private insurers told me that I should call them first if I am sick and they will tell me where to go.

The 'additional insurance' provided by my employer covers prescriptions, dental, optician, etc., I know it's no good for going to see a doctor.

An immigration lawyer is handling my PR application and I know that this includes some Quebec-specific forms.

Conclusion: I only see a doc in an emergency and only after phoning the private insurer first. This is my only option until I change my status here.

My fault for choosing to live in Quebec. It is nice here though.

bats

So do you have insurance to cover if you break a bone, or need surgery? How's your appendix??

edgardavids76

Yes: I have 'emergency insurance' through RSA. But that doesn't allow me to go and see a doctor if something minor comes up.
Broken bones etc., covered though.
Thanks.

bats

Then you just go to a walk in clinic and pay their fee.

geedee

Edgar

We do have QC health cards and it's a tough job getting an appointment with a doctor!! There just aren't enough! You're not actually missing much.

BTW, how do you get to Ottawa from QC in 30 minutes??

alexbellamy

You will have to pay taxes in QC which are quite a bit more than ON. After your first tax bill in QC I'm sure this will sort itself out with you running across the border!

Seriously, You need to tell the QC people that as you will be paying tax there, and QPIP, and QPP and all the rest that they should sort it out!