Health Coverage lost after 6 mths

I understand that as a Canadian citizen if you are away for more than 153 days in any 12 month period, you lose the health coverage. Does the immigration/border control notify Ministry of Health of the travel dates so they can make an assessment for you to lose the card? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this?

it is an honour system really. If you leave Canada you are supposed to notify your provincial heath office of your departure. If you plan to live outside of Canada you are not eligible for "free" Canadian health care. However, if you do have a planned return date, you can let them know you will be back and get an extension. Each province is different though, so look up your province's health plan on the internet, they all have websites.

It is illegal to use your "free" healthcare if you in fact reside in another country full time.

If you are from Ontario (I don't know abotu other provinces), you can fill out a form that says you are living out of the country and you can still keep your coverage for up to 5 years. This will save you the 3 months waiting time to be re-instated when return after living out of the country.

I posted the link to the form on here before, but don't have the time to look for it at the mo.

The link I had before no longer works.

Here is the new one: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/pub ... onger.html