Medical Insurance

[seagypsywoman]

I would like to hear from Canadians who are cruising long term regarding medical insurance.

[GordMay]

The Canadian health care system is Federally funded, but Provincially administered, so regulatory details will vary by Province. Ontario allows you to be out of the country for up to a year, then another year extension may be granted. When we returned after 9 years, we had to document our renewed residence (in Ont.) with several “proofs”, and wait 3 months for coverage to begin.
Ontario regulates the rates paid for each different procedure & treatment, which is the amount they will reimburse you for “covered” foreign medical expenses. The fee structure will NOT cover the full cost of treatment in the USA, which is generally significantly higher. Under certain circumstances, they may pay for “medivac” transportation, but don’t count on it.

[seagypsywoman]

In BC you are alowed to be out of the country only for six months each year and must pay as long as you are a resident. This is very difficult to do when you are cruising. You can´t opt out of it and pay as you go or self insure, which is a good plan especially if you cruise in third world countries where medical care is quite cheap. Can you opt out of it in Ontario?

[GordMay]

Ontario also allows (normally) only 6 months out of country, but there is an exemption for students in foreign schools, etc. Cruisers also qualify - at least we did (1992/93).
You cannot “opt-out” in Ontario.

[monaco]

Originally Posted by seagypsywoman

In BC you are alowed to be out of the country only for six months each year and must pay as long as you are a resident. This is very difficult to do when you are cruising. You can´t opt out of it and pay as you go or self insure, which is a good plan especially if you cruise in third world countries where medical care is quite cheap. Can you opt out of it in Ontario?

That seems a silly thing to believe. Just don't pay the bill and they cancel your insurance. Then you wait 3 mos. to sign up again later. Despite their telling you so, there is no way to force you in. The only issue is getting treatment in BC without it if you are resident.

[seagypsywoman]

Are you a Canadian? Have you done this? What if the bill just keeps piling up and one day they stop me at the border? I´m still getting bills from the Bahamas for Internet connection that I haven´t been using for two years. After I cancelled it in writing twice.

[monaco]

I am and I have. Two things can happen after you don't pay medical premiums for a long while.

One: you pay all back premiums. This entitles you to have all medical expenses covered over that time. You would submit bills to MSP.

Two: you start anew. Begin paying premiums (after a wait if applicable as it is in BC). You would not be entitled to submit bills.

Note how easily this house of cards could fall down by noticing the gaping loophole. There is NO need to pay your premiums at all. Ethically or morally perhaps. You don't pay and then once in a while start over. Being caught in a period where you are uncovered is irrelevant since you just pay back to the last one payment you made. Make one every few years. I'm not advocating this, but it will work.

[seagypsywoman]

sounds interesting...

[Brent Swain]

Whatever you buy , steer clear of Travel Underwriters ,Woldwide Mediclaim. When I made a claim with them they insisted that I give them a credit card number. This was so that they could put all my expenses on it and force me to go to court to get reimbursed. I don't have a credut card , so they refused to pay. I've since met others who had the same or similar excperiences with them. Their first priority is to fing a way to get out of paying.They commonly peddle their scam thru credit unions.

I was just told that having a huge deductible is a good way to reduce the cost of travel insurance.
Brent