Health insurance pregnancy

[payxibka 10,044]

40 minutes ago, databit said:

You can't adjust status in the US if you are claiming to be a Canadian citizen. That is like saying to USCIS that  you moved back to Canada.

If I'm not mistaken,  every adjustment applicant is a citizen of a foreign land and actively claim it.

[ADW & JOP 146]

10 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

Thank you, this is very helpful. I am learning a lot about how helpful the system actually can be when you’re paying cash. I would never have thought. If you’re able to get more information from your friend I would be really interested in hearing how they navigated this situation. 

 

As a Canadian physician working in Ontario, I can tell you fees for uninsured individuals in Canada can be quite expensive. This is something we don't normally discuss with patients (and quite frankly most physicians don't even know the cost breakdown for hospital admissions, etc.) because physicians/hospitals bill the Ontario ministry directly. I sometimes cover a direct-from-ER clinic, the clinic visit alone is approximately 500 CAD and that doesn't include my own fees. Of course, this is speciality specific and I am not an obstetrician.

Edited April 9, 2019 by ADW & JOP

[arken 4,197]

44 minutes ago, databit said:

You can't adjust status in the US if you are claiming to be a Canadian citizen.

 

5 minutes ago, Neonred said:

WOW, is that statement wrong!

 

The correct statement would be “You can't adjust status in the US if you are claiming to be a US citizen.”

[ADW & JOP 146]

I think you mean Canadian residence.

 

I plan to keep my Canadian citizenship. US does not acknowledge dual citizenship but my understanding is that we can keep our Canadian citizenship.

[Mrsjackson 300]

What if I actually am entitled to Canadian health care though still? Does anyone know if it’s based on domicile in BC? What if my AOS application is denied? Then I’m sent back to Canada, aren’t I? So if a Canadian moves to the states before annual health care enrolment period and has a medical situation, they’re just not covered at all by their home country even though they have no rights yet in the country they’re currently living in while waiting to hear if they can stay? It’s just confusing and I’m not convinced that I can’t rely on Canada for health care right now. I am definitely going to put my US address on my Canadian taxes. Because that’s the right thing to do. But I’m not having a lot of luck finding out more about a Canadian’s (BC resident specifically) rights to Canadian health care while their immigration status in the US is pending. It’s like being penalized for immigrating is it not? Seeing as the states only has certain times of the year when you can access health care? 

[ADW & JOP 146]

3 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

What if I actually am entitled to Canadian health care though still? Does anyone know if it’s based on domicile in BC? What if my AOS application is denied? Then I’m sent back to Canada, aren’t I? So if a Canadian moves to the states before annual health care enrolment period and has a medical situation, they’re just not covered at all by their home country even though they have no rights yet in the country they’re currently living in while waiting to hear if they can stay? It’s just confusing and I’m not convinced that I can’t rely on Canada for health care right now. I am definitely going to put my US address on my Canadian taxes. Because that’s the right thing to do. But I’m not having a lot of luck finding out more about a Canadian’s (BC resident specifically) rights to Canadian health care while their immigration status in the US is pending. It’s like being penalized for immigrating is it not? Seeing as the states only has certain times of the year when you can access health care? 

 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/managing-your-msp-account/leaving-bc-permanently

 

Quote

Leaving B.C. Permanently

If you will no longer be a resident of B.C., you must notify Health Insurance BC of the date of your departure and your new address; otherwise, premium billing may continue. If possible, use one of MSP's online Address Change Forms. Depending on where you are moving to, your coverage will be affected in one of the following ways:

 

If you are moving within Canada, coverage is provided for the balance of the month in which you leave the province plus two consecutive months. If required, coverage may be extended for up to three extra months to cover you while in transit. Upon arrival, you should immediately apply to the health plan of the new province or territory.

 

If you are moving outside Canada - coverage is provided for the balance of the month in which you leave the province.

You should advise Health Insurance BC of your move as soon as possible - use one of MSP's online Address Change Forms or contact Health Insurance BC.

 

 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/managing-your-msp-account/leaving-bc-temporarily

 

Quote

Leaving B.C. Temporarily

To maintain eligibility for Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage, an individual must continue to meet the residency requirements.

 

Residents who will be absent from B.C. for six months or more in a calendar year, need to contact Health Insurance BC to confirm continued eligibility and discuss options for continued MSP coverage that may be available during an absence.

 

In some circumstances, while temporarily outside the province for work or vacation, individuals may retain eligibility for coverage during an ‘extended absence’ of up to 24 consecutive months, once in a 60 month (five year) period. To qualify, the individual must:

• be a Canadian citizen or a person lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence;
• make his or her home in British Columbia;
• be physically present in Canada for six of the 12 months immediately preceding departure;
• not have been granted an extended absence in the previous 60 months (five years);
• not have taken advantage of the seven month absence in a calendar year, available to vacationers, during the year the extended absence begins or during the calendar year prior to the start of the extended absence; and
• not have returned to the province for more than 30 consecutive days during their extended absence.

If an individual returns to B.C. for over 30 consecutive days during an extended absence, their absence is no longer considered to be consecutive and any subsequent absence would be considered a new absence. The individual will need to contact Health Insurance BC to determine their eligibility for benefits during their new absence.

 

It would seem to me that you will no longer be covered in B.C.

[Mrsjackson 300]

4 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/managing-your-msp-account/leaving-bc-permanently

 

 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/managing-your-msp-account/leaving-bc-temporarily

 

 

It would seem to me that you will no longer be covered in B.C.

No it’s time to let that dream go. Haha thank you for providing this. You’ve been a great help. Fingers crossed the maternity package is reasonable! 

[ADW & JOP 146]

4 minutes ago, Mrsjackson said:

No it’s time to let that dream go. Haha thank you for providing this. You’ve been a great help. Fingers crossed the maternity package is reasonable! 

Yes, it's definitely tough. It is something I will have to do too when I move down to the US. It's humbling how lucky we have covered health insurance in Canada.

Edited April 9, 2019 by ADW & JOP

[Unlockable 7,306]

Yeah, from what I have seen during my time on VJ it seems that losing the Provincial Health Benefits is the biggest sticker shock for a lot of Canadians that immigrate to the US.

 

Hope it all works out for the OP.

[Mrsjackson 300]

2 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

Yes, it's definitely tough. It is something I will have to do too when I move down to the US. It's humbling how lucky we have covered health insurance in Canada.

Truly! I just had to meet and fall in love with this American guy didn’t I. I miss you Canada! 

[databit 328]

41 minutes ago, arken said:

 

 

The correct statement would be “You can't adjust status in the US if you are claiming to be a US citizen.”

As someone else corrected me, I meant Canadian "resident" not citizen

Edited April 9, 2019 by databit

[SalishSea 16,746]

4 hours ago, Mrsjackson said:

And they know this how though? I’m not being snarky just trying to make sense of it. 

Such data is shared between countries......

[SalishSea 16,746]

Personally, I would RUN, not walk, and obtain health insurance right now.  Is your other child covered?

 

I am an RN and I see firsthand what unpaid medical bills can do to families.  It absolutely ruins lives.

[Mrsjackson 300]

27 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Personally, I would RUN, not walk, and obtain health insurance right now.  Is your other child covered?

 

I am an RN and I see firsthand what unpaid medical bills can do to families.  It absolutely ruins lives.

It’s not a choice to do that or not. There is an annual enrolment period which takes place in November. You can’t purchase health insurance any other time except for a “qualifying life event”. Currently, only NY state recognizes pregnancy as a qualifying life event. Every other state only recognizes having had a baby (which just makes so much sense). 

[Mrsjackson 300]

34 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

Personally, I would RUN, not walk, and obtain health insurance right now.  Is your other child covered?

 

I am an RN and I see firsthand what unpaid medical bills can do to families.  It absolutely ruins lives.

My other child is set. She’s only one and has an appointment with her paediatrician every few months. She’s a USC (she’s the petitioner’s child) and is able to be on Apple health. I, however, am not.

Edited April 9, 2019 by Mrsjackson