Heading home for a visit...do I need to get travel insurance

[cherieboberry1]

I have been in Australia 2 years now and have temporary resident status, I am heading home (B.C.) for a month do I need travel insurance or will I still be covered by medical in Canada if I have my care card? I had notified MSP when I left the country......mostly just need to know if I broke an arm etc and needed to go to the hospital will I have to pay or am I covered because I am still Canadian?

[agnelson]

Having possession of the card in no way indicates that your coverage is still valid.

The longest MSP will extend coverage is for 2 years after departure only if (a) you notified them that beforehand and (b) the departure is deemed temporary. Once lost, MSP coverage can only begin once you reside in BC again.

Did you notify MSP back then that your departure was temporary or merely inform them that you were leaving Canada? And if so, was it less than 2 years ago.

[cherieboberry1]

I just notified them I was leaving Canada but I did not state for how long. I will have been 2 years, 4 months since notification that I am returning to Canada. I did file taxes last year and have residential ties to Canada so I think I am technically still considered a resident?

[agnelson]

No. Filing a tax return is meaningless in the context of MSP eligibility -- physical presence is. Your MSP ran out 4 months ago.