Canada Health Insurance For Newcomers

When arriving in Canada, one of the most importantcompanies have stipulations for buying private health
things a newcomer needs to do is acquire healthinsurance that may include a standard deadline to
insurance. In most provinces you will receiveapply for insurance after arriving in Canada. The cost
coverage as soon as you apply, but many immigrantsof health care coverage depends on the insurance
do not realize that national health care is not alwaysprovider you choose, health history, the type of
available on the first day they arrive. Provinces suchinsurance package, and your age and your
as British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Newdependent's ages. Some insurers may have specific
Brunswick, require that immigrants wait at least threeconditions attached to particular insurance plans.
months before they are eligible to receive health planMost private health insurance plans include extended
benefits. After arriving in Canada it is important tohealth care benefits such as prescription drugs,
apply for your health insurance card. If you aremedical supplies, hearing aids, vision care, hospital
immigrating to a province that has a three monthrooms, and complementary health services such as
waiting period, you should purchase private,chiropractic and registered massage therapy. They
short-term health-care insurance.can also cover dental plans, disability income, critical
If you reside in a province that does not require aillness coverage, travel insurance, and accidental death
three month waiting period, each member of yourand dismemberment benefits.
family must have their own health card. You canFor more information about obtaining private health
obtain an application form from the provincial healthinsurance and different health plans private health
ministry office, hospital, doctor's office, or ainsurers provide, you can contact the Consumer
pharmacy. To apply for a health card, you will needAssistance Centre of the Canadian Life and Health
your passport, Confirmation of Permanent ResidenceInsurance OmbudService (CLHIO). In Ontario,
(IMM 5292) or birth certificate. Health care servicesSettlement.org provides the Guide to Supplementary
will only be offered to people who have their ownHealth Insurance booklet that helps newcomers
names on the health card that they provide.understand health insurance. The booklet is also
Immigrant organizations are available to help withhelpful when newcomers are deciding which health
filling with out application formsplan will meet their needs. Settlement.org also
If you are living in a province that requires a threeprovides a list of companies that provide private
month waiting period, you can purchase a private,health insurance. Insurance brokers are an alternative
short-term health-care insurance plan. Private healthto insurance companies. Because brokers represent
plans provide comprehensive coverage for a varietyseveral different health insurance companies and
of health conditions and medical emergencies. Therehave access to different plans, they are often able
are plans that can be purchased before you arrive into provide more choices and a better price.
Canada. If you purchase insurance from yourAcquiring a health care plan is an essential part of
originating country, read the policy carefully to makesettling in Canada. In case of an emergency, it is
sure you are still covered once you arrive in Canada.important to have the right health insurance plan that
Canada's national health care system does not covermeets you and your family's needs. With all of the
dental care but there are private plans that will covernew experiences waiting for you, having proper
dental procedures. It is important to make sure yourhealth care is one less issue that you and your family
family members are also covered. Some insurancewill have to worry about.