As a spouse, filing outland living in Ontario... do I have ANY right or ability to get covered by my husband's health insurance? Even in some limited way? I ask because I think I may be getting an infected tooth and I would really love to be able to go to the dentist to get it checked out. I HAVE a dentist here. Its my husbands family dentist... Ive been there once for a cleaning and check up... about 6 months ago. I simply cant afford ANY dental work right now. We just got an apartment, and our finances are incredibley tight! especially with us applying for PR HOPEFULLY this month!! Gosh it feels like Ill never get that damn app in! So, is hopeless? or is there some way I can get at least a portion of my dental work covered? Any info or way of finding info about this would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks.
Dental
isn't covered by OHIP (provincial health insurance) unless it's surgery done in a hospital, so it will entirely depend on what his dental coverage is - you'll have to talk to the insurance company.
Does your husband have extended benefits through his employer? That's how most Ontarians are covered for dental.
yes his benefits are through his employer. In the handbook for his benefits it says his spouse is NOT covered if they reside outside Canada or the USA... But it doesn't specifically mention if his spouse IS covered if they reside IN Canada or the USA. It also doesnt mention citizenship at all. He has called them multiple times and cant seem sot get a straight answer. I guess we will just keep on trying.
I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter, as long as you are his spouse and are living with him in Canada. I am covered through my husband's work insurance for that kind of stuff; as I recall there was no requirement for citizenship or residency.
Yeah, my husband gets benefits through work for that kinda stuff (dental and vision, etc). I don't have those benefits either right now because he's only employed on a contract...if they decide to hire him on as a permanent worker in July then he'll be eligible for benefits.
Hmm, I was wondering exactly the same...only my situation is probably less likely to be covered; My common law girlfriend has full health and dental through her work, and it states spouse... but i'm unsure if I fall into that category with the permanent residence app in process :s. I guess canadian law sees us as common law after a year living together, but i'm still on a visitor extension atm
Best thing to do is contact the insurance company, or get your dentist to check, as they usually have better luck getting answers...
I take it you are married, but still in the application process?
Rene Wrote:yes his benefits are through his employer. In the handbook for his benefits it says his spouse is NOT covered if they reside outside Canada or the USA... But it doesn't specifically mention if his spouse IS covered if they reside IN Canada or the USA. It also doesnt mention citizenship at all. He has called them multiple times and cant seem sot get a straight answer. I guess we will just keep on trying.
It doesn't mention citizenship because immigration status doesn't have anything to do with it. If his extended benefits provide care for his spouse or common-law partner if they are living in Canada (or in the States), and you're his legal spouse, you're eligible. He needs to get you covered. We've been in this immigration nightmare now for 3 and a half years and still don't know when I'll have permanent status, and my daughter and I are still not eligible for OHIP - but we've BOTH been covered under hubby's extended benefits since the day we married.
Also, you should know that in Ontario, as the spouse of a Canadian, you do have some limited healthcare coverage through the Association of Local Public Health Agencies which provides care through a grant provided by OHIP. Unfortunately, for some reason their website is not loading tonight - but you can find them at
www.alphaweb.org Check it out again later this week - hopefully they'll have worked through whatever issue has made them crash.
Ty for that link Robsluv...
***UPDATE***
We grilled the insurance people and forced them to get us an answer.. I AM COVERED!!! :) he changed his plan and my coverage will start next month. Med/ Dental. I'm excited! Ive never had insurance once i got off my parent's like, 10 years ago. I always worked but, you know how it is in the states haha. Only really lucky people with awesome jobs get insurance. I now have hope that I can get this tooth taken care of before the infection spread to my brain! lol. ty for your help everybody!
Glad to hear it - I have been on my husband's health cover for the past 5 years as his spouse without permanant resident status. He just had to pay the "family" premium for me to qualify.
As to OHIP - if you have legal temporary status and reside in Ontario you are entitled to OHIP.
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/pr..._dt.aspx#1
OHIP Eligibility Criteria – Changes to Regulation 552
On April 1, 2009, changes to the OHIP eligibility rules under Regulation 552 under the Health Insurance Act became effective. How do I know if I am affected by these changes?
The changes may impact your eligibility for OHIP coverage if you belong to one of the following groups:
- Temporary foreign workers with open work permits and their family members
- Participants in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit Program and their family members
- Persons who have applied for a grant of citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act (Canada) (i.e. children adopted internationally by Canadian citizens)
- Persons who have submitted an Application for Permanent Residence
- Persons who hold a Temporary Resident Permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Ontario residents pursuing educational opportunities outside of the province
- Interprovincial movers requiring admittance into a long-term care facility upon arrival in Ontario
- Charitable workers on out-of-country assignments and their family members
- Missionaries currently on out-of-country assignments and their family members
For more detailed information about OHIP eligibility and the changes to the OHIP eligibility rules:
If you have questions about your eligibility for OHIP coverage under the new policies, please contact INFOline at 1 800 268-1154 or visit your local
Service Ontario – Health Card Services – OHIP office.
Excellent news about the OHIP. Application will be sent soon... I know Ive been saying that for like, 8 months now lol. but we are REALLY close now lol. just waiting on FBI... Ty