Going back to Canada to give birth

sherri · #1 06-25-2008, 07:23 PM

I am currently 6 months pregnant and i am returning to Canada in July for a week and then September 2 for a few months. I have not been back for 10 months now. I was planning on having the baby here in DR however I changed my mind considering the cost.

Does anyone know if there will be a problem with OHIP since i was away for that period? I dont need to go back to find out im not covered by OHIP and spend more than i would here. I am still considered a resident with all the necessary ties.

Any info is great. Sorry for asking so many questions recently but i leave in 2 weeks and its crunch time!

donnaparadise · #2 06-25-2008, 07:55 PM

OHIP does not talk to Immigration and if you do not tell anyone that you have been out of the country, it is unlikely anyone will find out.

You can go to any walk-in clinic and get a doctor because as you are probably aware, getting a doctor is very difficult - especially ob/gyn's. You only have to say you don't have a doctor and someone will see you.

I think you said you were already booked and that is a good thing because some airlines (Air Canada) won't let you fly in your last trimester for security/health reasons.

If you have your OHIP card, just make sure it hasn't elapsed. If it has, just go to the nearest office to get it renewed. If asked, you just say you didn't notice it had elapsed.

You really shouldn't have any problems, unless you decide to divulge how long exactly you have been out of country.

P-A · #3 06-25-2008, 07:58 PM

Hi Sherri,

The Ministry of Health's website states that as a Canadian citizen you need to be present in Canada for 153 days in any 12 month period to receive coverage. I've included a link below that provides information for longer absences from the province, but as the first paragraph on the page indicates, your "permanent and principal home" must still be in Ontario to be eligible.

Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Public Information - Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan - Longer Absences from Ontario

Good luck

donnaparadise · #4 06-25-2008, 08:02 PM

P-A is absolutely correct when he quotes the website. However, there is no way of them checking really and if you have an address in Canada - such as the one that is already attached to your OHIP card, then you won't have any problem.

I am often out of the country for much longer periods of time, since I live here in the DR. There have been times when I was home visiting and had to get medical attention and never had any problems of any kind. Mind you, I wasn't having a baby, but as long as you have a doctor and that doctor has hospital privileges, there shouldn't be any problem.

sherri · #5 06-25-2008, 08:20 PM

Thankfully i do have a gyn to see me. She has been my family doc for years. I have an appointment with her July 11. She told my mom that she maybe cant take care of me when i arrive for september but lets see. Anyway when i go into labor and go to the hospital what are they going to say..you have no designated doc..ok bye bye.. Thats wont happen..Thank God for Canada!

donnaparadise · #6 06-25-2008, 08:56 PM

I wouldn't worry about it at all then. You have a doctor. You have an appointment to see her. And, of course, you are right - if you go into labour and present yourself at the hospital, they'll take care of you. Just bring your OHIP card! Good luck!

carolathompson · #7 06-25-2008, 11:40 PM

Why is it that you feel you should get free health care? Ohip isnt actually free, as im sure you are well aware. We are all taxed to death for this "benefit". So my taxes will pay for your baby to be born here in Canada, while you live in the DR. IM not being critical to you, as you are probably doing what is best for your baby. But to only come back because you think it should be free, should not sit well with Canadians.

GringoCArlos · #8 06-26-2008, 12:42 AM

I'm just wondering what's cheaper, if that's the object. Remaining a resident of Canada, subject to their taxes worldwide just to maintain your slot in their system of socialized medicine (sounds like a slightly "upscale version" of the Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo), or getting one's legal DR residency, getting Revenue Canada off your back, and paying for a birth here in the DR?

We received better care here in the DR during the birth as the only "customers" for those few days, with 3 or 4 great nurses on-duty in Clinica Abel Gonzalez looking after Mom and child in their "suite". And no airfares back and forth, and the same gyno attending the birth, who was already very familiar with the patient,

Much different than a baby-factory in North America, with one or two harried nurses who have 20 or 30 or 40 to look after at once, and a shared room, and the ever-present nudge from the accounting department to hit the road the next day because the insurance folks are calling them every 4 hours to do so....

Legal residence in another country ends Revenue Canada's interest. Plus, for whatever it's worth, your kid picks up dual nationality.

mike l · #9 06-26-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GringoCArlos

I'm just wondering what's cheaper, if that's the object. Remaining a resident of Canada, subject to their taxes worldwide just to maintain your slot in their system of socialized medicine (sounds like a slightly "upscale version" of the Dario Contreras Hospital in Santo Domingo), or getting one's legal DR residency, getting Revenue Canada off your back, and paying for a birth here in the DR?

We received better care here in the DR during the birth as the only "customers" for those few days, with 3 or 4 great nurses on-duty in Clinica Abel Gonzalez looking after Mom and child in their "suite". And no airfares back and forth, and the same gyno attending the birth, who was already very familiar with the patient,

Much different than a baby-factory in North America, with one or two harried nurses who have 20 or 30 or 40 to look after at once, and a shared room, and the ever-present nudge from the accounting department to hit the road the next day because the insurance folks are calling them every 4 hours to do so....

Legal residence in another country ends Revenue Canada's interest. Plus, for whatever it's worth, your kid picks up dual nationality.

With all do respect I am 47 year old male and full health insurance here in the DR for me is $600 so why not pay that .

Airfare alone is more than that.

And from my relatives experience, that so called free health insurance is great but my uncle died before he cold be tested for cancer.

Many people go to the U.S. for medical procedures to avoid the waiting line .

Birds are free, health insurance is not.

donnaparadise · #10 06-26-2008, 01:21 AM

Just to remind you that if you go back in July, you won't have any problems, however if you wait until September, which means you will be in your 8th month, being very near delivery date, you are not likely to be able to get on any plane going north as most airlines will not allow it.

OHIP coverage will be the least of your problems if you wait that long to go back there.