Heathcare Paid by Canada

I am a Canadian citizen and have been living and working in the U.S. for the past 6 years. I was born and raised in Ontario Canada before moving to the U.S. I have health coverage with my employer, but the stories of financial ruin I sometimes hear from Americans (even those with great health insurance) cause me some concern. I'm very healthy, but am curious to know whether there are options for Canadians living in the U.S. to receive funding from Canadian health care in the case of emergencies or long-term treatments? For instance, could I send OHIP a bill for surgery performed in the U.S.? Or, would I have to return to Canada to get the surgery performed there?

Any information would be very useful.

Dan.

Once you left canada for six months, you were stricken from the rolls of OHIP, so you cannot get any covergae while living in US at this point.

And. according to OHIP, you would need to move back to Ontario AND reside there for three months before accessing any coverage. [This could be challenged, because of the Canada Health Act which guarantees coverage to all Cdns citizens residing anywhere in Canada -- if you moved to any other province except NB, you would get immediate coverage.]

But, be assured, that even if you were covered in US for a time, it would reimburse you FAR LESS that even the worst company health plan.

Agnelson, thanks for your reply. It was about what I expected to hear. I am also interested in hearing about anyone's experience with U.S. healthcare, with their insurance companies, etc., I've heard horror stories of people going bankrupt who have serious illnesses, even WITH good coverage. Have you heard of any stories like that? I like to feel secure that if I got in a motorcycle accident tomorrow, that I wouldn't go broke. I work at a university and have good coverage, but still, you don't know how good it is until you have to use it. What's your experience or knowledge base like on this issue?

Thanks,
Dan.

It is what it is.

The issue is not how well you are covered while insured. The issue is how quickly your company will drop you if you become sick.

Heading home for OHIP...i am a Canadian citizen, with permenant residency status in the US. My husband is a US citizen and we went through the immigration process 10 years ago. For 9 yrs, we have had consistantly fair health care insurance through my husband's employers. This was terminated 1 mth ago, with no cobra, even though he still is employed by the same company..nope, no reasons given...now, our tough luck that we both have pre existing conditions so we cannot find health care nor can we get our necessary medications.
I am planning on leaving the US within 1 month so that i can reinstate my Canadian residency for the purpose of obtaining OHIP and access to the Trillium Drug Plan. I will not return to the US as access to health care can be taken away without thought, care nor reason. It is all so complicated..moving back to Ontario, obtaining OHIP and Trillium and I guess, finally, divorcing my husband who will remain in SC.
If anyone in Canada is considering moving to the US and giving up OHIP, please consider this seriously, especially as you age. If anyone has any info re crossing the border with a moving van from NY to Ontario or any helpful hints re reinstating OHIP or applications for the Trillium Drug Plan. OOOps. i'm new here and have gone over my limit. thanks