Hello CD's,
Hope all of you are doing well.I have a few question's about the health card.......


Questions :
1)-I migrate to Canada...settle in Toronto...rent an apartment.Will that be a prove of my "IMMIGRATION STATUS"?
After that i have to be present in Toronto for 153 days "FIRST" then apply for a health card?
2)- Is this card valid in goverment hospital only?
3)- What services does this card exactly cover?I have Astama...i visit a doctor will i be charged partially for the doctor's fee/prescription?Does this card cover all types of medicine?Or is it important to take a private insurance policy for medicine?
4)- God forbid if someone goes through a operation(heart,eye,broken-arm etc.) will this card help cover some expenses?
4)- Will i pay a monthly fee for this card?If yes what's the amount?
5)- What are the waiting periods if i plan to see a doctor?
6)- For how many years is the card valid for?
7)- Can this card be miss-used if misplaced/stolen?


takecare,
bye

hi,

If and when you migrate to canada-toronto- if you rent an aprtment, then you will have to give one year commitment and after one year, two months notice.

you can immdly within one week complete all formalities PR, SIN, medical and bank account. you can apply immdly for health card but you will be eligible for health benefits exactly after 3 months of landing date.

After 3 months, you have to have family doctor, who will give you free consultation,(dental not included) but you have to pay for the medicines (medicines are costly), so you can take insurance from say standard life insurance (which is good) and pay monthly 120$ and you get free medicines (prescribed only) here dental also included in the insurance. Till you get job take, private insurance, after you get job, employers will give you insurance.

hospitalisation is free of charge after 3 months of landing.

health card is free and does not cover medicines and dental treatment.

god forbidden, if borken arm, etc then call 911 (ambulance) for which you have to pay $50 but you will get immediate attention after reaching hospital, or else, if you go by yourself, you will get attention after 12-15 hours or even after one day. They consider bleeding, heart attack etc as emergency. If you are hospitalised, then everything is free.

if you are sick, you have to fix an appointment to see your family doctor. If your family doctor does not give appointment immdly, you can go to walk in clinic also.

health card is valid for 3 and 5 years for adults and 5 years for children.

you have to take care of your health card just like SIN,PR and if stolen will have to report to health department immdly.

Health card cannot be misused. It is against law.


hope this answers your queries.

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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi

thank you soo much gopalpai...i really do appreciate your inputs


According to the site : http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/default.aspx

Eligibility section :
Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). To be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must :

1)- Be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status as set out in Ontario's Health Insurance Act.
My landing papers or a letter from the concerned Authority might provide them with the prove of my "IMMIGRATION STATUS".Or will it be the PR card?

2)- Make your permanent and principal home in Ontario
That will be the address of my rented apartment.

3)-Be physically present in Ontario 153 days in any 12-month period.
I didn't understand this point...When i land in toronto i should apply for a health card....and i will get it in 3 months...but according to this point i have to show a proof of 153 days of presence in toronto "FIRST".....and then they will consider me eligible?


I have few more questions gopalpai...
1)- Are the health cards issued to men/women who are above 55 or are they dependant on private insurance?
2)- Health cards do not have monthly fee....You also said that i have to go to an insurance company for medicine...Was that 120$ for one person?
3)- One of my anty is immigrating to Canada aswell she is 65 and is suffering from arthritis...will the insurance be higher for older people with such condition?If "Yes" then what can be the expected monthly insurance for her?

thanks once again for your guidance.....
bye

when you are going for applying for health card, two requirements are landing papers and passport. they take photograph there itself. If you are returning after brief stay, then just go for PR. do not complete other formalities. If you are planning to stay 153 days also, then apply for SIN,Medical because if you stay 153 days in every year for 5 years and complete 730 days of staying in canada, then you can apply for citizenship. Your landing papers will prove your immigration status. You will receive PR after 15-30 days anytime. Yes, you need residential proof (lease agreement) or bank statement at the time of applying Medical. You can apply anytime but will be eligible exactly after 3 months of landing.

You can either rent out for one year an apartment or if you don't wish to commit for one year (because of recession, it is wrong time to migrate, so land and go back to your job and come after recession is over, this is my sincere advise). then stay in walk in basement or basement apartment and pay rent monthly.

Health card is issued to anybody who is migrating irrespective of their age. Private insurance is only for medicine and dental which is not covered in OHIP.

No fees for health card /doctor consultation/hospitalisation. Insurance is for 4 person i.e a family $ 120 per month.

It is very cold here during winter, so arthritis people have problems with their health (tell your aunt to migrate during april-may when it is pleasant climate till sept-oct). This country frankly not suitable for arthritis patients, but still she can come and see and if it doesn't suit her, she can decide whether to stay or return.

please go to google search and type standard life insurance and put all your details and you will get the insurance premium amount according to age and health details.

hope this helps.

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The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you very much for the help


takecare
bye