iaink

Just curious about this.. how many people have run into problems with insurance refusals after coming to canada with a medical conditions that the NHS was treating due to its pre existing nature?

Zoe Bell

For an employee program, no , no questions asked at all. As long as you sign up at the start of your eligibility period ( mine was after 6 months).

JonboyE

I agree with Zoe. For a company sponsored group benefits scheme the insurer cannot decline anyone who joins within the time frame of the scheme rules. This is usually within one month of completing your probationary period.

In a pooled scheme the insurer sets the rates based on actuarial models. In an individual company scheme the rates are based on the previous year's claims. The insurer does not lose out. If they take on someone who is sickly and makes lots of claims they just charge the company(ies) more.

Private insurance is completely different and they will routinely decline to cover pre-existing conditions.

Monique_in_Canada

they wont decline you joining.....but just start claiming $100's of dollars a month worth of (in our case) insulin/diabetic supplies then you will get a letter asking when the condition was taken by the person etc!!! cost the insurance company $5 a day just to prick his finger to check his blood sugar!!

Steve&Tanya

I voted for the company plan, but before I had insurance through my employer we had Blue Cross who also covered my pre-existing condition. I don't think they asked any questions, but we joined that about 4 years ago so don't really remember

Zoe Bell

I've just checked with a diabetic collegue here ( diagnosed before she worked here)
no questions , no problems with coverage

iaink

Who is your plan provider, out of "name and shame" curiosity?

Your experience sucks if you ask me... commiserations.

Ive a feeling that my plan in similar circumstances would max out and then a second benefit program would kick in to take up the slack, but you would have to spend several grand on medication to qualify.

iaink

Ah, but was she covered by insurance with someone else when diagnosed, that could be the difference?

Monique_in_Canada

thank you.....you're getting it!!!

Novocastrian

Or could the difference be that Monique's husband is covered by a plan from a US employer?

R I C H

I've a company benefit plan that I've never had any call to use, so I checked the policy wording. There's no mention of pre-existing conditions, nor a list of excluded drugs (Manulife)

iaink

Think it has to be a canadian insurance carrier to be legal in Canada, but could be wrong?

Presumably there is some level of provincial legislation framework for what insurers can and cant do anyway?

Monique_in_Canada

this all happened when he worked in Canada for 7 years.....he has only worked in the US for the last 3....

iaink

It almost certainly says something along the lines of drugs must be approved by health canada (at a minimum), no experimental treatments etc etc..

R I C H

Sure, just no list of licenced drugs/treatments that won't be accepted if claimed for.