healthcare in BC?

I'm trying to move home (it's complicated) and I'm wondering if anyone knows if there's a waiting period to reestablish residency. I was a BC resident for more than 15 years before moving to the US.

Will there be a waiting period for my younger child, who was born in the US?

Thanks

There should not be for either of you, especially if child has Cdn citizenship proof.

Only one of my children was born in Canada. My younger child was born in the US, and we haven't sent in for his Canadian citizenship yet. I can't really do it right now, either, since by the time it is processed, I'm hoping to be back in Canada.

Hi,
I think Agnelson is wrong. There is a three month waiting period to become eligible for BC health care. It varies province to province, so that might be the source of the confusion.

From the BC Medical services plan website...

When does Coverage Begin?

New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival plus two months. For example, if an eligible person arrives during the month of July, coverage is available October 1. If absences from Canada exceed a total of 30 days during the waiting period, eligibility for coverage may be affected.

You should apply for MSP coverage immediately after arriving in B.C., rather than at the end of the waiting period, to allow time for your application to be processed.

More details on how to apply etc are on the BC medical services plan website.

Good luck with the return home!

This technically applies ONLY to persons moving from one province to another, who remain covered in their old province for upto 3 months. The Canada health act guarantees returning Cdn citizens instant coverage. New residents are new PRs, not citizens.

Only ON, and NB fight this currently.

I'm moving back to Canada (to BC) from Texas in two weeks. I called BC health and they stated that there is a 3 month waiting list, even for my daughter who is American and establishing Canadian health care for the first time.
We do not have her citizenship card yet either, but were told all we need is a copy of her birth certificate and one of ours, and we could get the process rolling.

Unfortunately, this waiting period is becoming more and more common in more provinces, and is a result of a minor relaxation in CHA regulations.(and don't refer to your daughter as american when dealing with cdn governmental agencies, it will save you lots of problems). The 3 month waiting period for Cdns was supposed to be for those moving between provinces, where the old province is required to cover you for those 3 months.

In any event, just get 3 months of visitor coverage, or better yet, maintain your existing US coverage for those months.

So, ON, NB, and now BC and YK are the provinces/territories that refuse to cover Cdn citizens immediately upon arrival in canada.

Shame on them.

To NL, PEI, NS, QC, MB, SK, AB, NWT and NU: Thanks for being responsible and ethical.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/alt_form ... 09-eng.pdf

how do you all like your healthcare system?