How to Purchase Additional Health Insurance

Healthcare costs in Canada may be expensive in comparison to your home country. So, if you’re moving to a province with a waiting period for provincial health insurance, purchasing private insurance for the first few months is recommended. Generally, the coverage you need is for “visitors to Canada.” You need to confirm with the insurance company that they have insurance plans for people who do not have OHIP. Not all health-related expenses are covered by private insurance. For example, pregnancy-related costs may not be covered. So, make sure that the plan you choose suits your needs. For some companies, you might have to buy insurance within a certain number of days after arriving in Ontario.

To find a private health insurance company, use the OmbudService Insurance Finder or look online. 

Insurance Brokers

Insurance brokers are an alternative to insurance companies. Brokers represent several different insurance companies and can tell you about your choices. To find an insurance broker, you can look online using the information below:

• Insurance Finder – A list of insurance providers organized by type of insurance. From the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI).

• OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI) – An independent complaint resolution and information service for Canadian life and health insurance consumers.

• Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) – Represent more than 80 private insurance companies in Canada. The CLHIA website describes the different types of insurance products, services, and CLHIA publications.

• OHIP Coverage Waiting Period – Information about the 3-month waiting period for Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage. From the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Free Medical Services

All residents in Canada can get access to free health advice by phone or by visiting a free clinic. Every province and territory offers free health advice or information via phone. Registered nurses operate the phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In provinces and territories, you can dial 811 to be connected with a healthcare professional. In Ontario, this system is known as TeleHealth. These health lines aim not to diagnose illness or hand out prescriptions but to help individuals decide if they can handle the problem themselves or if they should seek medical advice from a doctor.

If you have an emergency health situation and need urgent medical help, you can go to the nearest hospital’s emergency department or call 911. All calls made to 911 are free. The government recommends asking your doctor if you should carry medical information with you on a medical necklace or bracelet if you have a serious medical condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or allergies to medication.

As you settle into the community, one of the things on your checklist should be to familiarize yourself and learn more about healthcare coverage offered in Ontario. The things you need to do to get a health card and understand the process to be followed should you need medical assistance. Being well-informed can help you make a healthy transition to Canadian life.