OHIP and traveling

fergus51 · Jan 23, 2006

Any time you travel internationally you should have your own insurance. You can buy them cheaply from the royal bank or places like that. A former colleague got into a car accident in NMexico and had only been out of the country a short time. OHIP didn't cover her.

Fiona59 · Jan 23, 2006

When I moved provinces, the coverage time was three months.

So, if you move from AB to BC, it's AB health for the first three months you live in BC. You just fill in the form and around 80 days later you get the health card with the registration number on it. Moved to BC and then back to AB in the last 18 months and this is how it worked. I think it is pretty much the same across the provinces unless you are military or RCMP. They have their own plans.

CrazyNurseIrene · Jan 23, 2006

Thanks guys but I was looking more for info on nurses who travel outside of Ontario in the US. Anyone one else have any comments or advice...

Thanks again

fergus51 · Jan 23, 2006

In the US you need your own insurance. That's why I mentioned New Mexico.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/main/pubs/usa_bound-en.asp

Supplemental Health Insurance

Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover costs if you get sick or are injured while you are outside the country. At best, your health plan will cover only a portion of the bill. It is your responsibility to obtain and understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policies. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage.

Paulette RN · Jan 28, 2006

When my daughter was going to school in the US, she notified OHIP before she went and there was special extended circumstancial coverage for her. Having said that, you should really contact OHIP to get the staight goods. I would assume that they will want to know things like how long you will be out of the country, and will expect you to get some sort of extended coverage. They can be hard to deal with for sure. They adhere to the 3 month rule to the letter. But like the last post said, even if you have OHIP coverage, they will only cover what the expense would be here in Ontario and you would be responsible for anything over and above...makes the extra insurance costs sound worth it should you ever need it.