I’ve had a little trouble wrapping my head around this concept of “mandatory health insurance.” While I get the idea, and after first hand experience of the mess of American health care, I’ve been curious how “mandatory health care” works.
The application process, apparently, is considerably worse than the application process in the States. Here’s how it works in the States:
- Get hired by Company A
- During orientation/first day, fill out stack of paperwork
- Review health care provider options presented by Company A
- Fill out forms for health care through Company A
- Approved for coverage, generally by the time Probation period ends
In Canada, the process is not at all like that. At least not in British Columbia from what I’ve been able to understand. You don’t apply for health insurance through the company, you have to apply through the government. Except no one tells you that.
You must meet certain “residency requirements” in order to apply for health insurance through the government. Except no one tells you that.
After some clicking and digging, I discovered that I fall into a “temporary resident” category due to my work visa. That is an exception for residency, and thus I am required to apply for health insurance through the government.
There’s a form to fill out, which I must mail in along with a copy of my work visa. Processing time? 2-4 months. Assuming, I’m told, my application doesn’t get “lost in the mail” which seems to be a common occurrence.
I have a healthy skepticism of health insurance as it is, so I’m less than encouraged at this whole “mandatory health insurance” thing. Since the application process seems worse than the States, I fully expect to have my visa either re-approved or denied and thus perhaps be back in the States before I get approved for “mandatory health insurance.”
Anyone considering a move to Canada: keep your US health insurance. It may be the only insurance you’ll have for the duration of your stay. Unless you plan to, and actually do, become a permanent resident. Even then, I’d still keep it. It’s insurance after all, against the unexpected.
Don’t expect Canadians to understand that, though. They may point fingers and loath our health insurance system as much as we do, but at least it’s clear how we apply for it. We score a point for that.