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daveB
Nomad
Posts: 244
Registered: 11-6-2003
Location: B.C. Canada
Member Is Offline
Mood: wondering about Nomads!
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As a Canadian, being away from your home province for long periods has limitations. Because Medical Coverage is a Provincial jurisdiction, province to
province permitted time away may differ. In British Columbia it is 6 months, but I have "heard" that Ontario permits longer absences. If you are away
too long there is usually a waiting period to get back into the system. There is also provision for planned longer periods out of the country, up to
two years away,I beleive, and this is done through the fedral government but only once every "so many" years; how that affects your medical coverage I
don'y know, maybe a new waiting period.
Canadians traveling to another province or territory within Canada should think about buying travel medical insurance. Many were shocked a few years
ago when a young boy who had heart probems traveled to Yukon Territory, needed emergency care not available there, so was flown back to Vancouver. And
parents were presented a bill for the emergency flight, one that would be of no charge if entirely in B.C.
I remember paying my doctor before I left. Short years later an apendectomy caused a four day stay in hospital, no cost up front or at all for me
although my work deducted a small fee for me to be in the system. A few years ago a television series was devised to select "Canada's greatest
person." Prime Ministers, sports pesonalities were among many being nominated, voted on via the internet after each program that documented a strong
personality, someone who made a big difference. After many weeks it came down to one man, a one- time Saskatchewan preacher who could not understand
why, if a farmer's wife was dyng of cancer, she too often had to bear the pain rather than risk having her family's farm be taken by the bank. This
man was Tommy Douglas. you may have heard of his grandson, the actor Keifer Southerland.
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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...yes, we Canadians have to buy travel insurance. You can claim it back on your income tax return.
In Alberta you can have longer absences than 6 months under certain conditions to stay eligible for health benefits, but you need to make an
application beforehand, If you exceed the limit, you need to wait a few months to re-qualify. Anyhoo, Canadian federal law says you must be treated in
an emergency, so you will get care no matter where you are from and the bill is sorted out later. The provinces have a system whereby they transfer
payments to each other for some costs, e.g. if you are visiting from BC and need care in Alberta.
Additionally, if someone wishes to move to another province, there may be a wait period for health benefits and eligibility for public long term care.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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