Health insurance help for my spouse

[susannelankin]

I am sponsoring my common-law spouse via inland application (with OWP) - he'll be arriving to Ontario as a visitor. Whilst we wait for his OWP to come in, and then the three month waiting period for OHIP, what kind of health insurance should we get him? I would assume normal travel-style insurance would only cover emergencies. Is there an all-encompassing kind of health insurance he can get that also covers non-emergencies, and allows him to go see a doctor if necessary? With the way the application processes are delayed, it's likely he'll be without OHIP for nearly 10 months, and that seems like a long time to not see a doctor if there's an issue just because it's not an emergency! Any help would be appreciated!

 

[canuck78]

I am sponsoring my common-law spouse via inland application (with OWP) - he'll be arriving to Ontario as a visitor. Whilst we wait for his OWP to come in, and then the three month waiting period for OHIP, what kind of health insurance should we get him? I would assume normal travel-style insurance would only cover emergencies. Is there an all-encompassing kind of health insurance he can get that also covers non-emergencies, and allows him to go see a doctor if necessary? With the way the application processes are delayed, it's likely he'll be without OHIP for nearly 10 months, and that seems like a long time to not see a doctor if there's an issue just because it's not an emergency! Any help would be appreciated!

You are probably best just getting an emergency policy. Policies that would provide full coverage may be significantly more expensive and may not cover any preexisting conditions. Would add that he also needs to secure a job that is over 6 months long in addition to the OWP to qualify for OHIP. A simple trip to a GP will likely be under $100.

 

[susannelankin]

You are probably best just getting an emergency policy. Policies that would provide full coverage may be significantly more expensive and may not cover any preexisting conditions. Would add that he also needs to secure a job that is over 6 months long in addition to the OWP to qualify for OHIP. A simple trip to a GP will likely be under $100.

Ahhh, okay. Thanks so much. We didn't know that about needing a job for OHIP. Once he gets his PR, can he can get OHIP without a job? (Hopefully he has a job way before then!!)

 

[canuck78]

Ahhh, okay. Thanks so much. We didn't know that about needing a job for OHIP. Once he gets his PR, can he can get OHIP without a job? (Hopefully he has a job way before then!!)

Yes once he has PR he qualifies for OHIP no matter what as long as he meets or plans to meet the OHIP residency obligations.

 

[susannelankin]

Yes once he has PR he qualifies for OHIP no matter what as long as he meets or plans to meet the OHIP residency obligations.

Great, thanks for your help!

 

[PrincessButtercup]

Just FYI: As this moment there is no 3-month waiting period for OHIP. This was put into effect in March for COIVD, and will likely stay that way until the pandemic is over.

Also, I just went though this all myself. I had a Visitor's insurance policy until I received COPR. I used a couple online health resources (telehealth) and the Public Health system for getting existing Rx refills. I paid out of pocket for a few things and prices were fair. I really tried to think of the Visitor's insurance policy for emergencies only.

I was insured through the Destination Travel Group, and although I never had any claims to file, I was happy with them and their customer service for the couple of times I did need to contact them: https://www.desttravel.com/#/insuranceproducts/visitortocanadainsurance