Non-resident: Can I still use Health Care services?

I have been in South Korea for the past year and am contemplating whether or not it is a good idea to declare non-residency if I want to keep the benefits of Health Care. I will be here for an undetermined amount of time. If I become gravely ill or have an accident, can I go back to the comfort of Canadian hospitals if I am a non-resident? Is that a citizens right, or a residents right? Thanks for your imput.

You don't say what province you are from.

When I lived in the states, I was no longer eligible for health care in Ontario (not sure how long you have to be away before you are no longer eligible, but I'd think a year away certainly makes you ineligible).

When I moved back to Canada, I had to apply for OHIP and then had to reside for three months in Ontario before I became eligible again. (And purchased private insurance until then, just in case).

When I moved to the UK last year, I informed OHIP that I was moving and it turns out you can be away for up to 5 years and still maintain your eligibility- if you tell them your plans. This way, when I return on a visit and need health care I can still get it, plus, when I return for good, I don't have to wait the three months.

Since you have already been away for a year, I would guess that you are no longer eligible anyway, but you should check with you provincial health care provider.

Good luck!

Oops! That is pertinent information isn't it. I am from Nova Scotia. Thanks for your information and advice.

Take care.

First, I wish people would stop using this term 'Declare Non-Residency.' Its not your 'choice', you just are or aren't. You can declare whatever you want, but if the governments involved later look at the real picture, they may disagree, and can. You can file a Canadian return and declare your world income, or file a return for the year you left and declare the day you left. But they can always challenge that.

Yes there is a 'Notice of Determination' process, but people lie their arses off all the time, its not binding, and it doesnt ask the questions that sometimes need to be asked.

In your case a key factor in maintaining your residency ties to Canada is likely that you have retained your NS health care card, and appear to still be paying your premiums. Canadian bank accounts to pay your premiums?

Or you are not paying your premiums, and didnt tell them you left. Heres the rules for Nova Scotia "ordinarily present in Nova Scotia for at least six months in a 12-month period"

http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/msi.htm

Also, if you cancel your health care, which a non-resident would do, you have to wait three months to get it back when you return.

Just as another piece of info, if both S. Korea and Canada say you are a resident for tax - maybe the 'tie-breaker' rules will save you.

I currently live in Germany, but I am still an Ontario resident, as I go back and forth every 90 days. I was told by OHIP when I went to get my new Health card that you must live in Ontario for 165 days of the year in order to be still covered by OHIP. I don't think you can be gone for such a long time (5yrs) then go back and expect that your card is still valid. I think you must reapply for a new health card in whichever province you end up in, in the end.
Angela in Germany

The rules are fairly similar in all provinces, it looks like you can be gone almost 7 months in Ontario before your coverage is in danger.

I was gone 8 months once, and didnt lose my BC Medical (MSP) even though the guy at the BC Government Agent knew I would be gone over 6 (BC regs). Its like all things, you'll have a problem only if you abuse it, or dont pay your premiums.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/pub ... aq_dt.html

includes:

"- you make your permanent and principal home in Ontario"
"- you are in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date you establish residency in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residency) "
"- you are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period "

"- Tourists, transients or visitors are not eligible for OHIP coverage. "

"If you are a newcomer to Ontario, or a former resident returning here to live after being out of the country for more than seven months, the waiting period begins on the date you establish or re-establish residence in Ontario. You are also required to be present in Ontario for 153 days of the first 183 days immediately following the date residency is established in Ontario (you cannot be absent for more than 30 days during the first 6 months of residency)."

When you return to Canada, you'll likely need 3 months of private insurance. I went through CAA (Canadian Auto Assn and got a reasonable deal.) Dont forget that private medical insurance qualifies as a Medical Expense on your Canadian Tax return. (As well as nose jobs, boob jobs, laser surgery...)

[quote="ahimmer"]I currently live in Germany, but I am still an Ontario resident, as I go back and forth every 90 days. I was told by OHIP when I went to get my new Health card that you must live in Ontario for 165 days of the year in order to be still covered by OHIP. I don't think you can be gone for such a long time (5yrs) then go back and expect that your card is still valid. I think you must reapply for a new health card in whichever province you end up in, in the end.
Angela in Germany[/quote]

You can in fact expect that your OHIP card is still valid if you have followed the procedure. I completed this form in Ocotber 2004, stating I would be out of the country for at least 2 years, providing my UK address, and a letter from my employer. I went to see my GP in July 2005 and my card was still valid.

Continuous coverage is offered in an absence of up to 5 years for education, employment, vacation, or missionary/ religious work.

The link to the form is here: http://www.forms.ssb.gov.on.ca/mbs/ssb/ ... 0-82E_.pdf Look at SECTION D.

If you have been out of the country (and made OHIP aware of this) and not filled out the form, you will have the standard 3 month waiting period.

Hi!I just came across a site called e4e.com.It is a wholly owned subsidiary of e4e Inc and has been providing healthcare billing and adjudication services for the healthcare industry since 1994.So,you can check out this site regarding health care services.I will place the url for your comfort.

If you use Canadian health care services, and you are no longer physically resident in the province (any province) then Revenue Canada can consider that a residential tie and find you liable for back taxes.

If you are not currently resident in a province and are not paying provincial healthcare dues & taxes, (whatever they're called) then they can send you a bill for services rendered.

Just curious, how would ministry of health (ohip in case of ontario) office ever find out that you were away for few years and just returned.

If you keep your card and after you return you just apply for an address change (in case your health card didn't expire), then you'd receive new health card in mail i assume.

Am I missing something?