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Health Insurance In Canada: A Guide For American Expats

If you’re moving to Canada from the USA, it can be easy to fall into a sense of security. Surely, being just next door, the healthcare system will be practically the same? There is a lot of truth to this assumption, but there are still some elements you will need to consider when you decide to make the move across the border. In this article we will discuss some of the options available to American expats in Canada, and the steps you need to take to ensure you have the proper health insurance in place.

You may not need to take out private health insurance at all, since the Canadian public healthcare system is of a high standard. However, there are things it doesn’t cover, such as prescription medication, eye care and dental treatment. If you play a sport, you may also want to consider specific sports cover as part of your insurance package.

If you or your sports team are looking for private accident liability insurance, there are a number of benefits and types of cover that you may want to consider. For example, you may want insurance that:

• Provides a lump sum payment that can be used at the insured’s discretion
• Offers coverage during participation in the activity, as well as travel to and from the activity (if applicable)
• Provides a weekly accident indemnity that can help pay expenses in the event that insured members are partially (or totally) disabled as a result of an accident or sports injury
• Covers accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)
• Covers accidental para-medical expense reimbursement
• Offers additional benefits, such as inpatient hospital stays, family transportation, repatriation, home alteration, or, in extreme cases, vehicle modification

For more general healthcare, you can use the public system, which is funded through taxes, although some provinces charge a monthly premium. The monthly premium is waived for low income families. You will need to apply for a health insurance card first, and present this at all medical clinics, hospitals, etc. when you are seeking treatment.Canada has multiple provinces and territories, and each has its own health insurance plan. Therefore, the plan that you apply to is regional, and must be geographically aligned with the region you will be living in. However, when it comes to emergency medical care, even if you are in a different province, your healthcare card will be accepted. In fact, emergency medical care is provided even if you do not have a healthcare card. If you have a medical emergency, you should go straight to a hospital, and not to a walk-in clinic, as these may charge a fee if you are outside of your province cover area.

Eligibility criteria

Criteria can vary from one province to another, but typically you are considered eligible to apply if:

• You are physically in your province for 153 days in any given 12‑month period
• The province you are covered by is your primary home
• You are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• You are an indigenous person (registered under the federal Indian Act)
• You have applied for permanent residence, and have not yet been denied
• You are in the province of your cover, holding a valid work permit and working full-time there for at least six months
• You hold a valid work permit under the federal ‘Live-in Caregiver Program’
• You are a refugee or other protected person (as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada)
• You are studying in the province at an accredited/approved educational institution and have proof of enrolment.

Your spouse and any dependants (usually defined as dependent children under the age of 21) qualify automatically if you are eligible.

Waiting period & applications

Sometimes there is a required waiting period for public health insurance, usually up to three months, before you can qualify as eligible. This varies from one province to another, so may not be applicable in the region where you live. If you are subject to a waiting period, it is highly advisable to purchase private health insurance to cover you for the duration of the waiting period.

You will need to submit an application for your health insurance card in person at your provincial ministry of health. The links to each region’s ministry of health can be found listed below:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec (available in French only)
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

It is best to apply for your health insurance card as soon as possible once you have arrived in Canada. In most provinces, a separate card will be issued to each family member. Application forms are available at doctor’s surgeries, hospitals, pharmacies and your provincial ministry of health office.

In addition to the completed and signed application form, you will need to present:

• Your birth certificate (and any dependants’ birth certificates, such as young children’s)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of permanent residence or citizenship (whichever is applicable)
• Your passport (and the passports of any dependants)

Reapplying & reviews

Since health insurance cards are issued on a provincial basis, if you move to a different province in Canada, then you will need to apply for a new health insurance card that covers you within that region. Some provincial authorities may say that if you spend more than 212 days in any 12‑month period outside of the province of cover, then you will need to reapply for valid public health cover.

If you are told that you no longer qualify for your provincial health insurance card due to the above, or for any other reason, then you can request a review, which is essentially the same as an appeal.

In order to submit a review request, you will need to write a letter, fax or email to your principal ministry of health that includes:

• The reason/s why you believe you still qualify
• Supporting information or documents to show you still qualify
• Up-to-date contact information

If you are aware of reasons why you might not be considered qualified anymore, but have not specifically been told, you can still action the above, as otherwise you may not be covered when you next seek medical treatment with your health insurance card.

How To Find A Job In Canada

The process of moving to Canada and finding a job as an expat is relatively simple providing you meet the criteria for a working visa. Visas for non-nationals are a necessity and divided into subsections, including working holiday and temporary work visas; you may also find that you qualify for the Express Entry Scheme.Additionally, you will need to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) on arrival in Canada; this is a nine-digit number that enables you to work in the country as well as granting individuals access to government schemes and benefits. In order to qualify for a SIN, you will need to provide proof of one of the following:

• work permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
• study permit issued by IRCC that specifically refers to your entitlement to work in Canada alongside the undertaking of your studies
• visitor record issued by IRCC indicating your right to work in Canada
• diplomatic identity card and work authorisation issued by Global Affairs Canada

Canada has two official languages: English and French. To an extent, choosing where to live in this vast country could have an impact on the jobs available to you, although a significant majority of expats will find that English suffices in most states. However, anyone heading to Quebec, in particular, may wish to brush up on their French.

Approximately 75% of Canadians work in the service sector and this is where the majority of available jobs can be found. And there is work to be done and jobs to be filled (British Columbia alone reported a vacancy rate of 3.9% in 2017), though this unfortunately does not make it any easier for expats to be granted permission to work in the country.

The service industry has the largest number of available jobs

Canada has a list of in-demand occupations which currently exhibits a range of 347 different professions from which expats may find their best fit. You should tailor your CV so that it is clear which type of job you are qualified to apply for.

Your CV, or resume, should be set out in the format that prospective employers will expect; in Canada, this is as follows:

• contact information
• career summary
• work experience
• education and professional development

Failure to adhere to this format could reduce your chances of being shortlisted for interviews, so it is important to alter your CV accordingly. Once your CV is ready to send out, head to job search websites and start applying for relevant work.

When applying for jobs, it is important to do your research and target specific companies in order to make the best first impression and increase your chances of securing gainful employment. Resist the temptation to apply for every job available, particularly if you intend to merely send out identical CVs and covering letters every time – employers do liaise and network and you will look lazy and unprofessional unless you tailor each application to the particular role in question.

Tailoring your CV and cover letter to individual roles is important

Make full use of the tools available to you, including those online, such as LinkedIn. Employers in Canada regularly use LinkedIn to get a more rounded view of candidates so aim to keep your profile updated and informative to increase your chances of being called to interview.

Take advantage of services such as the Job Bank, Service Canada and any immigrant-serving organisations in your province. These can provide CV writing workshops, information on working in Canada, including details of wages and educational requirements, and will be best-placed to use local knowledge to ably assist you in your job search.

Both networking and working as a volunteer in Canada can increase your job prospects. Networking is useful because it gets your name out there in the field you wish to work in and may lead to being offered an interview for a relevant role before a vacancy has even been advertised.

Volunteering, meanwhile, is a great way of gaining experience of the Canadian workplace as well as enabling you to meet new people and even gain a reference if your CV is lacking one that is pertinent to the job sector in which you would like to work.

Volunteering can be a good way into a career

Once you are offered a formal interview, the process is rather the same as in the United Kingdom or the USA. The employer seeks to find out how suitable an applicant is for the job role and the interview stage is your chance to demonstrate why you would be the best choice. Build on the foundations you laid in your CV; it is often this document alone that has put you in front of an employer so try not to deviate too much from the information contained within it.

If you are still struggling to find work, look for a mentor. Many Canadian business owners offer free advice and training to expats settling in Canada. Search for a mentor via local organisations such as Immigration Services of Nova Scotia (ISANS).

If you intend to start your own business in Canada, you will need a detailed business plan and sufficient funds with which to implement said plan. To learn more about setting up businesses in Canada, contact an immigrant-serving organisation.

Would you like to share your experience of life abroad with other readers? Answer the questions here to be featured in an interview!

Canada Health Insurance

How To Move To Canada

How To Open A Bank Account In Canada

Moving abroad can be an overwhelming process, with many different things to think about, including arranging your visa, finding somewhere to stay, and adjusting to your new climate. Fortunately, however, once you’ve taken care of the most complicated part, i.e. your immigration papers, the rest should be plain sailing, especially when it comes to opening a bank account.

Do you need to be in Canada to open an account?

You don’t need to be in Canada to open an account, but that doesn’t mean the process is going to be quick and easy. Opening a bank account in Canada from abroad can be a laborious task, and it will involve a number of phone calls.

The first call you’ll need to make is to the bank that you’d like to open an account with, so that you can let them know of your intentions. During this call, you’ll discuss your immigration status (for example, whether you’re a permanent resident or a temporary resident on a study or work visa) and what type of account you’d like to open.

You won’t be able to open the account there and then. Instead, you’ll need to wait for a call-back from the bank, which usually takes a few days. On that call, you will speak with the account-opening team, who will guide you through the process as it happens. At this point, you will need to ensure that your immigration papers are in order, as you won’t be able to open a bank account without them.

The process can take up to a week, sometimes longer, and it isn’t always straightforward. In most cases, even if the account is opened online, you’ll still need to make an appointment and visit your local branch once you’re in Canada. Therefore, it can often be easier to wait until you have moved to Canada before you open a bank account.

Opening a bank account in Canada from abroad can be a laborious task

What banks are available in Canada?

Which banks are available to you will depend upon where in Canada you are located. For example, if you’re situated in a remote area, you may only have a few options. The good news is that most of the major banks in Canada have tailored product offerings for expats. These major banks are:

• Royal Bank of Canada
• Toronto-Dominion Bank
• Scotiabank
• Bank of Montreal
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Each one of these banks has numerous types of accounts you can open. The most popular types are savings accounts and current accounts. Which type you choose will very much depend upon your financial needs whilst you are in the country. If you’re new to Canada and are not sure what type of account you’ll need, advisors at the bank will be able to help you narrow down your options. For inspiration, here are some of those tailored product offerings we mentioned earlier:

• The Royal Bank of Scotland offers two specialised accounts, the “Newcomers” package and the No Limit Banking account, which you can access whilst on a temporary visa
• TD Bank offers banking products for those who are new to Canada, including a fee-free (for six months) checking account and completely fee-free accounts for students
• Scotiabank offers an account that waives its monthly handling fee if you keep 2,500 CAD in the account at all times
• The Bank of Montreal has a package that covers workers, students and business owners, providing a fee-free account with unlimited transactions for one year

You also have the option to open an international account. This can either be done through opening an international element to your existing bank, or by creating an account with banks such as HSBC, BNP Paribas, or Citibank. Bear in mind that these types of accounts can often be costly to maintain, as they’re designed for high-net-worth individuals who bank in various currencies.

What documents are needed to open an account?

If you’re moving to Canada as an expat, you’ll need the following information in order to open a bank account:

• Your passport
• Proof of immigration status (for example, with immigration papers, your visa, a work or study permit, or a permanent residency card)

Some banks may also require further information, such as proof of address and/or credit history information. However, this varies between banks, so you’ll need to check the exact requirements with your specific one. Most banks in Canada are open between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. However, on Fridays, many branches stay open later, usually until about 6 pm.

If you’re moving to Canada as an expat, you’ll need your passport and proof of your immigration status

What are the associated fees?

When opening an account, you may need to have finances that are readily available (for example, cash or money ready to transfer), as certain accounts require a deposit to be made to open the account. Outside of this, you may also face the following fees:

Monthly account fees
These tend to be applicable to many accounts as standard. However, they are often waived for students and pensioners, or if a minimum amount is always kept in the account.

Transaction fees
Each account will come with a set number of transactions that can be made each month free of charge. However, once this limit has been reached, fees will apply (usually around 1 CAD per transaction). The number of fee-free transactions you can make will depend upon your account, but if you pay a higher monthly account fee, you may be given unlimited transactions.

International transfer fees
Surprisingly, there are many banks that offer this service for free in Canada, especially to newcomers. However, there may still be other fees associated with international transfers, such as by the recipient’s bank. It’s also important to be aware of the exchange rate, so that you can ensure you’re being given the standard rate. Sometimes companies don’t take a fee upfront, but create profit by offering a weaker exchange rate to customers and then pocketing the difference.

ATM fees
If you’re using an ATM that is owned by the bank you have an account with, then withdrawals will be free of charge. However, if you are using another bank’s ATM, you may face a charge—usually between 1 and 2 CAD on local withdrawals, or the same plus a 2.5% commission when withdrawing internationally.

How much these fees cost will vary depending on which bank you are with and which type of account you hold, and many of them may not be applicable to you. For more information, you can ask an advisor or check the terms and conditions of your account.

What Quality Of Healthcare Can You Expect In Canada?

Canada’s healthcare system has always been a point of Canadian pride, and it stands as a testament to the differences between Canada and America. The government first established a provincial health insurance programme in 1947, covering universal hospital fees, and then later extended this to cover doctors’ fees in 1962.The Canadian healthcare system was based on five core principles: universality (all citizens covered), comprehensiveness (all medically essential hospital and doctors’ services covered), portability (across all provinces and territories), public administration (of publicly funded insurance) and accessibility. Over the past five decades, since its implementation, the Candian healthcare system has changed very little.

Shifting healthcare landscape

How societal, economic, and environmental changes in the last half of this century have contributed to a shifting healthcare landscape in Canada.

What has changed, however, is the health landscape, which is something that many other countries are also struggling with. The healthcare system, which was originally designed to meet basic medical needs and treat acute illnesses and injuries, is becoming more blurred. It now deals with an ageing population, which is on a scale unprecedented the world over. In 2014, for the first time ever, there were more seniors than children in Canada.

Canada also suffers from an increasing number of chronic diseases. Chronic diseases have been slowly but steadily increasing worldwide for years, and this can be attributed to a number of factors, ranging from accelerated urbanisation and societal changes to rising obesity rates and a generally more sedentary lifestyle.

Despite the fact that many of the factors putting the Canadian healthcare system under strain also impact many developed nations across the world, the quality of the healthcare system there seems to be consistently slipping.

Chronic diseases have been slowly but steadily increasing worldwide, including in Canada.

Accessibility and waiting times

A look at how two key factors of the universal healthcare system are going awry.

Surveys have found that whilst many Canadians have timely access to emergency medical care and urgent attention when necessitated, routine care is another story. For less urgent medical issues, many people have reported having to wait months, or even years, for appropriate treatment.

A study conducted by the Fraser Institute, over a period of two decades, surveyed specialist physicians across 12 specialties and 10 provinces to ascertain waiting times. Specialist physicians surveyed reported a median waiting time of 19.8 weeks between referral from a general practitioner and receipt of treatment – this is shorter than the wait of 21.2 weeks reported in 2017. In 2018, the wait time was 113% longer than in 1993, when it was just 9.3 weeks.

Other data, from a separate source, shows that patients who require hip or knee replacements, shoulder or ankle surgery or cataract surgery often wait far longer than the recommended time for a consultation.

In conjunction with the Commonwealth Fund and their collected data, health economist Austin Frakt stated that “only 43% of Canadians were able to see a doctor or nurse on the same or next day when they needed care.” Of that 43%, half had to wait two or more hours for care in the emergency room. The data also showed that “30% of them had to wait two or more months to see a specialist,” and that “18% had to wait four or more months for elective surgery.”

Quality of healthcare

Studies of the quantifiable quality of the Canadian healthcare system and public opinion.

The highly respected Commonwealth Fund ranked the Canadian healthcare system as “mediocre at best ” when measuring its effectiveness, safety, coordination, and efficiency. In the past, the Canadian healthcare system has always been considered very high quality, but what seems to let it down in most of the surveys and studies are two key factors: waiting times and accessibility.

Accessibility is a very complicated factor, given that Canada is slightly larger than the USA, but only has one ninth of the population. There are lots of remote regions and rural areas with very small towns, the populations of which have little to no healthcare options that are easily accessible to them.

The Canadian healthcare system is ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) at around 30th globally. However, the health of the population as a whole is ranked at about seventh. Interestingly, out of the 28 industrialised countries with universal healthcare that were studied, Canada ranks third in healthcare spending. The only countries that spend more on healthcare are the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The Canadian healthcare system is let down by long waiting times and problems with accessibility.

Understandably, seeing as a lot of the data seems contradictory – it suggests Canada is one of the highest spending countries when it comes to healthcare, but not one of the best performing – a lot of questions have been raised. Many have questioned whether it is time for reform and restructure, but concise plans are lacking.

Other criticisms of the Canadian healthcare system include claims about disparities between men and women’s access to healthcare, with some studies purportedly showing that “mean wait times are significantly lower for men than for women pertaining to overall diagnostic tests: for MRI, 70.3 days for women compared to 29.1 days for men.”

Despite some negative studies and articles, the general consensus of the population is an optimistic one, with the majority of Canadians voting in polls to say that they strongly support the universal healthcare system.

In conclusion

The public healthcare system is still held in high esteem and is supported by the majority of the population. However, heavy investments in the healthcare system do not seem to correlate with the quality of the care provided. Many authorities have been questioning the effectiveness of the current system, which is garnering more and more criticism, and falling short of its goals to provide timely and accessible healthcare across the country. It is highly advisable to look at supplemental health insurance packages, in addition to applying for your provincial healthcare card.

What Options Are Available For Chronically Ill Expats In Canada?

A chronic illness is not necessarily a debilitating disease. The term includes conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and asthma, which are commonplace around the world. Many of us give them little thought, especially if we are living in our home country, but they require ongoing care, including medication and regular checkups with a healthcare professional. Other types of chronic illness may be much more complicated, and therefore require an entirely different level of healthcare.If you suffer from a form of chronic illness and are planning to move abroad, then there are various considerations to take into account. You will need to plan in advance to make sure you get the correct level of care and that any medication you need is easily accessible.

Canada has a universal healthcare system funded by taxes. Each province has its own regulatory body responsible for the healthcare in that region, and permanent residents must apply for the correct provincial health card in order to be covered. The standard of healthcare in Canada is considered very high, but the system is struggling somewhat, particularly with long waiting times.

Some provinces have a waiting period of up to three months before you can receive a card entitling you to free healthcare, which means that, depending on the province you will be living in, you may need to purchase private healthcare insurance to cover this period. Of course, if you suffer from a chronic illness, then private healthcare insurance may be something that you will have to consider anyway, in order to supplement the public healthcare you are entitled to.

The Canadian public healthcare system, while comprehensive, is not all encompassing. So if you have a chronic illness, you should do thorough research before you travel there, in order to get a better understanding of whether you will need supplementary cover, and, if so, what level of cover you may need.

The Canadian public healthcare system, while comprehensive, is not all encompassing.

Getting organised

If you are moving abroad and suffer from a chronic illness, then getting organised is imperative. There are several things that you can do prior to making your move, to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, including:

Research the healthcare system
It’s always a good idea to research the local healthcare system as much as possible prior to moving. Look on official government websites, provincial health websites, in the case of Canada, and expatriate forums, to get a good idea of what the health system covers. You want to have a good grasp on how everything works, where to sign up, who to visit, how to get repeat prescriptions etc.

Stock up on medication
This isn’t always possible, but if you are able to stock up on your medication before you move, then this will keep you going, in the event that things take a bit longer than anticipated. It is always best to discuss this with your doctor, as some pharmacies in your home country may only give you a limited amount, such as two months’ worth of medication, whereas your doctor may be able to write a prescription for more. You should also double check the regulations for bringing medication into the country, and take a doctor’s note and/or prescription with you in your hand luggage, just in case you are stopped.

Gather your medical records
If you are moving to a new country with a chronic illness, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your medical records, or a signed doctor’s letter summarising your condition and medical requirements. This may need to be translated, depending on which country you are moving from, or which province in Canada you are moving to, as some of the provinces speak French.

Find the best travel option
Depending on your condition, you may have certain travel requirements. For example, you may need additional space to feel comfortable, or require assistance. These are all important things to consider, not only for travel from your home country to Canada, but also how you are going to get from the airport to your new home etc.

Finding a doctor who speaks your language
If you have any concerns about language barriers, it is worth trying to find a doctor who speaks your language. Alternatively, you could enlist the help of a translator, to ensure that there are no misunderstandings or miscommunications.

If you are moving to a new country with a chronic illness, it’s a good idea to have a copy of your medical records.

Health insurance and pre-existing medical conditions

Every insurance provider will ask you to detail any pre-existing medical conditions, before they assess you for a quote or an offer. Even conditions that may seem trivial, like asthma, should be declared. If you fail to declare a pre-existing medical condition to your insurance provider, and you then require medical assistance in connection to this condition, it will not be covered. In some cases, failure to declare pre-existing medical conditions can even render your entire policy null and void.

Typically, private healthcare policies that offer the correct cover for chronic conditions are more expensive, but this will save you money in the long run, compared to having insurance that does not cover the condition, and paying for the bulk of medical costs out of pocket. Some medical insurance providers may agree to only cover the stabilisation of acute flare-ups related to a chronic illness. Others may cover routine maintenance of chronic conditions. In some cases, regular insurers may not cover chronic conditions at all. Therefore, you may need to research a specialist insurance provider that specifically provides cover for chronic illnesses.

You should always have a very clear understanding about what your insurance does and does not cover, and, if you don’t, you should seek clarification from your provider.

Employer health insurance

Nearly two thirds of expatriates receive medical cover in the form of private healthcare provided by their employer. If your employer has such a plan in place, you should find out as quickly as possible whether it covers chronic conditions or not. You will need to speak to your employer to clarify whether it provides adequate medical cover for you, or whether you will need to purchase a supplementary extension, or even a separate health insurance policy entirely.

What Cover Is Available For Sports Injuries In Canada?

Amateur sports participation in Canada is at an all time high, with around 76% of the country’s youth taking part in organised sports. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, approximately two out of three injuries among adolescents were linked to sports.Many organised sports clubs will have their own general liability insurance, but additional supplementary accident policies can also be purchased at their discretion. Participant accident insurance policies can extend cover to all members of an amateur sports organisation or club, including players and coaches, in both games and practices. There are also types of cover that can protect more than just the immediate participants. For example, they can cover referees and spectators.

It is hardly surprising that in a land of brutal sports, such as ice hockey, there are a variety of options on hand for athletes when it comes to obtaining cover for sports injuries. Many of the insurance plans available in Canada are extremely comprehensive. In some cases, various sporting related injuries may even be covered by the country’s extensive public healthcare system.

Main cause of sport and activity related injuries

What are the main causes of sports injuries in Canada?

According to statistics provided by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, around 17 million people visit emergency rooms across Canada every year. An estimated 22% of these emergency room visits are due to sports injuries.

The sports and activities causing the most injuries in Canada are:

Cycling

Shockingly, cycling is actually the main culprit for sport and activity related injuries in Canada. In fact, cycling was responsible for 4,268 hospitalisations (across Canada) in a period of only one year! Ontario was the province that had the highest number of accidents, but British Columbia had the highest rate of hospitalisations.

All terrain vehicles (ATVs)

ATVs, otherwise referred to as quad bikes, were responsible for hospitalising 2,834 Canadians in the same one-year period. The highest injury rates were from the Atlantic Canada area, followed by New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Skiing and snowboarding

Given the nature of these two sports, this statistic is perhaps unsurprising: over 1,700 Canadians were hospitalised after a ski or snowboard accident in the space of a year. The main locales for such injuries included Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.

Around 17 million people visit emergency rooms across Canada every year, an estimated 22% of which is due to sports injuries.

Public healthcare for sports injuries

Are sports injuries in Canada covered under the public healthcare system?

You may be able to receive a certain level of cover from your provincial healthcare service, depending on which province/territory you live in and their individual policies. Most athletes in Canada will be registered to receive some medical and dental cover under their provincial sport organisation’s annual license. However, this usually only covers acute sporting injuries that occur at specifically approved events.

What to look for in private sports insurance

What are the most important aspects of cover when looking at private sports insurance?

If you or your team/club are looking for private accident liability insurance, there are a number of benefits and types of cover that you may want to consider. For example, you may want insurance that:

Alternative cover for sports injuries

What other types of cover for sports injuries are available in Canada?

University medical cover

If you are a student at either a college or a university in Canada, and are a registered athlete there, you will usually have access to medical plans and insurance cover through your educational institute’s student services. These plans are often very comprehensive and are provided at a heavily discounted rate.

Athletes CAN

Athletes CAN is run by a group of current and retired national team athletes. National team athletes registered with Athletes CAN are offered medical and dental cover at very competitive prices.

High-risk sports

What cover do I need for participating in high risk sports?

Both amateurs and professionals participating in high risk sports, including coaches, teachers, etc., will usually need to purchase additional insurance cover. The insurance needs to present an appropriate level of cover in line with the risk of the activity being participated in.

Both amateurs and professionals participating in high risk sports in Canada will usually need to purchase additional insurance cover.

Canadian Athlete Insurance Programme (CAIP)

What is the CAIP insurance programme and who does it cover?

The Canadian Athlete Insurance Programme (CAIP) has been recognised as the most comprehensive insurance protection for sports accidents and ’overuse‘ injuries in Canada since 1982. CAIP covers all athletes at all levels, both inside and outside of Canada.

All members of a sports governing body (i.e. athletes, coaches, managers and any other officials) are considered eligible for CAIP. A sports governing body can be a national sport organisation, provincial sport organisation or Canadian sport centre. It can also include sports teams, leagues, and clubs.

Overuse cover for athletes tends to be the most popular aspect of CAIP, and encompasses injuries of a chronic nature, such as tendonitis, as well as stress fractures and repetitive strain injuries. CAIP covers services such as athletic therapy.

Athletics Canada provides CAIP cover to athletes who are part of the Canadian Athletics Performance Pathway (CAPP) and the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP). Athletes who do not fall into the two above categories can opt to purchase CAIP privately at their own expense.

CAIP cover comes in the form of bronze, silver and gold packages. You can find out more about CAIP here.

Maternity Care In Canada: What The Options Are And How To Decide On A Birth Plan

Support for women during active labour and birth significantly increases a family’s satisfaction with the birth experience as a whole. It also helps enhance the positive attitude women will need to care for their newborn babies. It is essential that women have supportive care throughout the entire pregnancy, labour, birth and post-pregnancy periods. In Canada, there is a lot of focus on what the mother wants, and a large emphasis on natural birth whenever possible. Interventions only occur when the reasons to do so are well documented and evidence based.Canada is considered one of the best places in the world to give birth. In fact, “birth tourism” in Canada is quite popular, largely due to the fact that it is one of the only developed countries that grants any baby born in Canada the right to become a Canadian citizen, regardless of the parents’ citizenship or visa status.

Labour and birth in Canada

There are approximately 389,912 births a year in Canada. In a survey, the majority of women reported that overall their experience of labour and birth was positive. Many had their husband or partner with them during labour and birth, and felt fully supported and listened to by their birthing team. Typically, women in Canada can give birth in one of three places:

• Hospital (public or private)
• Dedicated birthing centre
• Home

Where you decide to give birth is ultimately up to you, unless your pregnancy is considered high risk and the doctors want you to give birth in hospital so that they can monitor you.

You can also choose your doctor and midwife. When making your choice, you may want to consider asking potential candidates some questions to check whether they are definitely the right fit for you, such as their experiences with and beliefs on childbirth. It may also be important for you to have a prenatal care provider who is familiar with your individual situation, with reference to details such as your religion and medical history.

Including prenatal care and resting in the maternity ward after giving birth, most new mothers in Canada will only need to be in the hospital for a short period of time. The average hospital stay for new mothers after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery is around two to three days. If the baby is delivered through a C-section, the stay usually increases to around four days, as the risk of infection and complications are higher in C-section births.

In Canada, you can give birth at hospital, in a birthing centre or at home.

Interesting statistics

New mothers come from various different backgrounds, and often have concerns around their own unique situations when preparing to give birth. Here are some statistics relating to births in Canada, showing the relative frequency of different scenarios:

• 6% of women of reproductive age in Canada have a disability
• 46% of adult women in Canada are overweight or obese
• 27% of pregnancies in Canada are affected by a chronic illness
• 3% of all births in Canada are multiple births
• 20% of all births in Canada are among women over 35 years old
• 8% of infants in Canada are born prematurely
• 4% of total births in Canada are affected by a congenital anomaly

The cost of having a baby in Canada

Canada has a public healthcare system in place that is funded by taxes. If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and have a valid health card, you will have access to this system. This means that having a baby in Canada can be completely free in some cases, or cost a very small amount – a few hundred dollars for a private room.

Tourists, visitors, and non-residents will have to pay the medical bills of giving birth out-of-pocket, unless they have international health insurance that covers these charges. Generally speaking, the cost of having a baby in Canada without private insurance or public healthcare is roughly C$5,000 to C$8,000 for an uncomplicated regular vaginal birth, and C$10,000 to C$12,000 for a C-section delivery.

Birth plan

A birth plan should be drawn up ahead of time and checked over by your birthing team. A birth plan should outline your preferences during your labour and delivery. For example, it may include who you want with you during labour, whether you want pain medication, and if you want the lights dimmed. You can include anything you think will make your labour and birth more comfortable for you. Of course, your birthing team may have to deviate from your birth plan in certain situations, as it’s difficult to predict what will happen during your delivery.

What to include in a birth plan

Many first time mothers may feel daunted or confused about what to include in their birth plan. First, discuss your options with your doctor, and ask any questions you want answering. After this, you can put together your birth plan, which should be kept short, so that it’s easy for everyone to read. It should include:

• Your name, your doctor’s name and contact information
• Where you’re planning to give birth, and who you want to have with you
• Details about what will make you feel most comfortable – consider things like whether you would like a birth photographer, or as quiet a space as possible, or music playing etc.
• Any labour preferences you have, such as a birthing stool, balls, chairs, a warm shower or bath etc.
• Pain management – this is a very important aspect to consider. You may not plan to have an epidural, or any drugs at all, but you may change your mind once you are in labour. Alternatively, you may definitely want to have an epidural if possible. Ask your doctor about pain relief options before you make a decision.
• Details of your delivery preferences – for example, whether you want to have a vaginal birth, whether you would prefer to avoid having an episiotomy unless it’s absolutely medically necessary, whether you would like your partner to cut the umbilical cord etc.You may also want to consider whether you would like your baby placed on your abdomen right after delivery, and who you would like with you in the delivery room if you are having a C-section.
• Details around feeding and care, for once your baby is born – for example, whether you want to breastfeed straight after delivery, or whether you are thinking about a mixture of bottle feeding and breastfeeding
• Whether you would like your baby in the hospital room with you at all times, or whether you would prefer your baby to stay in the nursery sometimes so that you can get some rest

You may want to put together a birth plan, which you should review with your doctor before you go into labour.

Reviewing your birth plan

First go through your birth plan with your partner and anyone else who will be with you in the delivery room, such as a labour coach, birth photographer, doula, etc. After this, ask your doctor to take a look at your birth plan. Reviewing your birth plan ahead of time gives you plenty of time to resolve any potential issues that your birth team might have.

Who needs a copy of your birth plan?

Once your birth plan has been written and reviewed by your birth team, you should give a copy to your doctor to keep along with your medical records. Then give copies to anyone who will be with you during labour, and make extras to take with you to the hospital when you go into labour, in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Birth plans are not a necessity, and if you are not sure what you want, or you are just happy to go with how you feel in the moment, then that is also perfectly fine. However, you should still discuss this with your doctor and birth team beforehand, so that you are on the same page.

How To Register With The Health System In Canada

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for public health insurance, for subsidised low-cost healthcare. The public healthcare system in Canada is funded through taxes, although some provinces charge a monthly premium. The monthly premium is waived for low income families. You will need to apply for a health insurance card first, and present this at all medical clinics, hospitals, etc. when you are seeking treatment.Canada has multiple provinces and territories, and each has its own health insurance plan. Therefore, the plan that you apply to is regional, and must be geographically aligned with the region you will be living in. However, when it comes to emergency medical care, even if you are in a different province, your healthcare card will be accepted. In fact, emergency medical care is provided even if you do not have a healthcare card. If you have a medical emergency, you should go straight to a hospital, and not to a walk-in clinic, as these may charge a fee if you are outside of your province cover area.

Eligibility criteria

Criteria can vary from one province to another, but typically you are considered eligible to apply if:

Your spouse and any dependants (usually defined as dependent children under the age of 21) qualify automatically if you are eligible.

Canada has multiple provinces and territories, and each has its own health insurance plan.

Waiting period & applications

You will need to submit an application for your health insurance card in person at your provincial ministry of health. The links to each region’s ministry of health can be found listed below:

In addition to the completed and signed application form, you will need to present:

What is and is not covered

Public healthcare in Canada covers basic medical services. You may also need private insurance, in order to cover the services that government plans do not fully cover.

The healthcare services covered by the government include:

• Examinations and treatment by doctors, including specialists
• Maternity and fertility treatments
• Many types of surgery
• Hospital care, including x-rays
• Laboratory tests
• Most immunisations

The following things are not covered under the government public healthcare service:

• Ambulance service fees
• Prescription drugs
• Dental care
• Prescription glasses and contact lenses

In some circumstances, what is not covered under your provincial healthcare package may be covered by workplace employment benefits.

Public healthcare in Canada covers basic medical services.

Cover for refugees & protected persons

The Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) is the appointed body who, in certain circumstances, provides temporary health insurance to:

• Refugees
• Protected persons
• Refugee claimants

This is an interim measure on a temporary basis for those defined by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, pending refugee placement or other actions.