Health Care Insurance - Suggestions?

[charmed2006 31]

Hi,

Thank you VJ Community as always for answering all my questions. (even my stupid questions - )

I need your help. Can you suggest any good health insurance than I can go on a month to month basis?

Yesterday my husband wanted me to be added to his work health insurance but we found out that he would be paying extra $240 per pay cheque, meaning around $480 a month to add me up.

We simply could not afford that, as we are dependent solely on his earnings (I am not working yet).

We wanted to buy something for me, something affordable, basic, until I land a job that would give me this benefit.

Thank you again in advance for your inputs!

[kzielu 1,147]

I am pretty sure that $480 a month is probably very cheap compared to the other options that you may have available. Try healthcare.gov and see what that shows for you...

[Boiler 43,422]

Usually an employer plan would be best, otherwise look on your state exchange.

[Cyteen 0]

Depending on your province of residence in Canada, you'll have a few months of coverage under your provincial plan if you don't cancel before you leave. I't's probably 3-6 months.

In the US, try healthcare.gov. Believe it or not, $480/month here is pretty good. You may have a disconnect point in looking at what you pay for provincial "premiums" They are not at all the same. Provincial revenues there actually fund much more of the individual cost than does the monthly premium.

[charmed2006 31]

Depending on your province of residence in Canada, you'll have a few months of coverage under your provincial plan if you don't cancel before you leave. I't's probably 3-6 months.

In the US, try healthcare.gov. Believe it or not, $480/month here is pretty good. You may have a disconnect point in looking at what you pay for provincial "premiums" They are not at all the same. Provincial revenues there actually fund much more of the individual cost than does the monthly premium.

That's what I thought. I am from British Columbia, Canada. I am still covered 5 months from my date of exit from Canada.

I couldn't believe it is this expensive here. Hopefully to get my EAD soon and start working.

Thank you all for your replies

[Sunnyland 639]

Yeah, the health system here is a rip off. And let me tell you not many employers offer you health insurance. At least here in south florida, if you work part time (and many of the jobs are part time) forget about receiving health insurance thru the employer. And if it's full time, many of them dont cover you 100% (in my country they do).

I understand Canada has a great health system, but then the taxes are high, right? This is what I have heard from canadian people when I worked in retail here.

[charmed2006 31]

Yeah, the health system here is a rip off. And let me tell you not many employers offer you health insurance. At least here in south florida, if you work part time (and many of the jobs are part time) forget about receiving health insurance thru the employer. And if it's full time, many of them dont cover you 100% (in my country they do).

I understand Canada has a great health system, but then the taxes are high, right? This is what I have heard from canadian people when I worked in retail here.

Yes tax is high in Canada. Health System is great. People are warm.

But there are lots of good stuff here too Both countries has its own pros and cons.

I just didn't expect that this is going to be this costly.

Thank you for letting me know not all companies offer health insurance.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Moving to the US and Your New Life in America - topic is about getting insurance ~

[VOL 425]

Yes Healthcare is outrageous in USA. I only carry dental on myself.

What I have learned from the many illegals in my state is you can get your payment waived if you tell them you are poor and have no money....

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Sorry - not entirely accurate. the OP has ceased to be a resident of Canada period (she hasn't just moved to another province)and thus not entitled to Provincial healthcare anymore (please see the many threads in the Canadian forum where people ask this exact question)- she is also not a Snowbird who is returning. As a K1 her timeline shows she is in the process of doing AOS so she cannot return to Canada without abandoning her AOS for a quick Dr' appt until she at least has AP.

To the OP - $480/month is a little pricey but honestly not bad - it seems rough in comparison to Canadian healthcare but that's just because we haven't seen the actual cost of healthcare up close. definitely check out the heathcare.gov or your state health exchange. Either you pay low premiums and then you pay $$ as you go or you pay up front for more coverage which you may or may not use. Depends what you're comfortable with

Depending on your province of residence in Canada, you'll have a few months of coverage under your provincial plan if you don't cancel before you leave. I't's probably 3-6 months.

In the US, try healthcare.gov. Believe it or not, $480/month here is pretty good. You may have a disconnect point in looking at what you pay for provincial "premiums" They are not at all the same. Provincial revenues there actually fund much more of the individual cost than does the monthly premium.

[Cyteen 0]

Thanks for the correction and, regrets if I led anybody astray, my comment was based on my personal experience from 3 years ago, moving from Manitoba, not B.C..

To the originator of the thread, I think many of us get through the actual immigration process thinking, OK, the hard bit's over! Unfortunately, this will be one of those factors where we learn that the words don't actually mean the same things. In other words, if it walks like duck, and quacks like a duck, then it's obviously an antelope! You'll be meeting many species of antelope!

Again, regrets if I led you astray.

[Boiler 43,422]

Sorry - not entirely accurate. the OP has ceased to be a resident of Canada period (she hasn't just moved to another province)and thus not entitled to Provincial healthcare anymore (please see the many threads in the Canadian forum where people ask this exact question)- she is also not a Snowbird who is returning. As a K1 her timeline shows she is in the process of doing AOS so she cannot return to Canada without abandoning her AOS for a quick Dr' appt until she at least has AP.

To the OP - $480/month is a little pricey but honestly not bad - it seems rough in comparison to Canadian healthcare but that's just because we haven't seen the actual cost of healthcare up close. definitely check out the heathcare.gov or your state health exchange. Either you pay low premiums and then you pay $$ as you go or you pay up front for more coverage which you may or may not use. Depends what you're comfortable with

Makes much more sense.

[mallafri76 1,012]

I'm from Europe, where we also don't pay for health insurance. Medical treatment is included for everyone here. I was planning on taking a "living abroad" insurance from Sweden, which would cover me the first year in the US. Perhaps you have something similar in Canada?! Check with insurance companies in Canada and see what they can offer. I got an offer from a Swedish insurance company for $1,000 for a full year.

[yuna628 9,527]

I'm from Europe, where we also don't pay for health insurance. Medical treatment is included for everyone here. I was planning on taking a "living abroad" insurance from Sweden, which would cover me the first year in the US. Perhaps you have something similar in Canada?! Check with insurance companies in Canada and see what they can offer. I got an offer from a Swedish insurance company for $1,000 for a full year.

I am not sure that ''living abroad'' insurance would be coverage that would enable you to avoid a penalty under the ACA.

[Boiler 43,422]

Travel insurance would not be Ocare compliant. Anything serious they would be looking to repatriate you anyway.