Canadian Immigration And Health Insurance

It's important to understand Canada's health care system before moving there. In order to receive coverage, you need to do one of three things:

1. Have a valid provincial health card

2. Make enough money that you would have to pay the provincial healthcare premium 

3. Come to Canada and get a work permit without a job offer

To apply for health care, plan on getting health insurance first. It's not cheap, but it is worth it. You have to have the work permit and apply for cover right away.

There are two types of health insurance: private and public. Both are pretty expensive, but they will both cover you while you're there in case of an illness or accident.

The private plan is nice because there is no co-payment at all except when you want to see a specialist (30% co-pay). If your employer pays for the plan, then you only pay a small fee for each prescription etc. If not, then you have to pay the premiums and the prescription fee. The public plan is a bit cheaper but it has a 20% co-payment for everything. If you're poor, you can get Medical in Ontario or Quebec for free.

The private plan is really nice because they'll pay 100% of your expenses if you are trying to get pregnant AND it covers vision and dental as well! How cool is that?

When applying for health coverage, make sure you bring your husband and kids with you so that they can apply too!

Posted by Jordan at 10:00 AM

Thank u so much 4 sharing this....i am planning of visiting Canada with my family in 2010..i am really confused about the health insurance thing. well i am in Saudi Arabia & we don't have any health plans here except for the governmental plan...but it is not that good & is very expensive too....so i have to look for a private health plan....so i really appreciate your valuable information...its really helpful for me.....thank u so much & god bless u Reply Delete

Hi guys, I'm still looking for a good insurance plan, can someone please recommend some or let me know if you know of any decent cheap one's out there. People keep recommending Blue Cross but they're not that cheap, I'm just after something basic. Thanks :) Reply Delete

I am also looking for a good insurance plan. I am staying in Canada until the end of this year. Which one is the better deal (private or public)? Also, where can you get it at? Reply Delete

i'm currently living in thailand, i would like to know the cost to ship books and woman clothes here to canada if i want to start some projects here, pls advice..thanks!! Reply Delete

Hi! I have been looking for affordable health insurances plan or any other kind of insurance plans in Canada. I have been told that Health Canada's health plan is one the best. Can someone help me? Reply Delete

Hi im from Portugal and im looking for a cheap health insurance plan in Canada or even any countries..i dont have a lot of money..anyone know any cheap one that is not so bad? Reply Delete

I am planning to go there in May, but since I am baptised catholic i want to make sure I can get health care. I heard that being a christian doesn't cover you because you have to pay for it yourself with your own money. Is this true? And if so how much do they charge to you? Reply Delete

Hi everyone! just wanted to reply on this. I've been in Canada for over a year now, and I don't have any medical issues yet. But there are lots of plans out there, so you can definitely get health insurance. But your first step is to find out what healthcare system is in Canada - whether it be private, public or not at all. You'll have better health care options if you're insured in the public system. Also you need to check on the cost of private policies here beforehand as they do vary. Reply Delete

Hello everyone! Just wanted to reply on this. I've been in Canada for over a year now, and I don't have any medical issues yet. But there are lots of plans out there, so you can definitely get health insurance. But your first step is to find out what healthcare system is in Canada - whether it be private, public or not at all. You'll have better health care options if you're insured in the public system. Also you need to check on the cost of private policies here beforehand as they do vary. Delete

I'm moving to Canada from the USA in March, and I plan on getting insurance right away after I get my visa. My only question is this...I'm currently covered under my parents' plan (I'm 25). Will the Canadian system be able to pay for this? What about my "pre-existing" health conditions? Will I have to pay for those again? Reply Delete

Hi all! I'm trying to find out how much will it cost me to get a decent health insurance plan in Canada. I've heard that the Prime Minister's office is one of the best private plans and it costs 3500$ per year. My question here is...can someone give me a budgeting idea on how much would it cost me, please. There are lots of plans out there, so you can definitely get health insurance. But your first step is to find out what healthcare system is in Canada - whether it be private, public or not at all. You'll have better health care options if you're insured in the public system. Also you need to check on the cost of private policies here beforehand as they do vary. Reply Delete

I'm moving to Canada from the USA in March, and I plan on getting insurance right away after I get my visa. My only question is this...I'm currently covered under my parents' plan (I'm 25). Will the Canadian system be able to pay for this? What about my "pre-existing" health conditions? Will I have to pay for those again? Reply Delete

Hi all! I'm trying to find out how much will it cost me to get a decent health insurance plan in Canada. I've heard that the Prime Minister's office is one of the best private plans and it costs 3500$ per year. My question here is...can someone give me a budgeting idea on how much would it cost me, please. There are lots of plans out there, so you can definitely get health insurance. But your first step is to find out what healthcare system is in Canada - whether it be private, public or not at all. You'll have better health care options if you're insured in the public system. Also you need to check on the cost of private policies here beforehand as they do vary.

Conclusion:-

In my opinion, I'd have to say that the typical Canadian health care system is going to be a lot more affordable than the U.S. one. If you're in need of a way to pay for your own health care, then there are many different options out there depending on your budget and how much you need. Now that we've gone over all of this information, you should feel confident in knowing what services are available and what your health care options are! You can always compare plans through the Internet too before deciding which one is right for you.