TN VISA & Maintaining CDN residency

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RaxDFW

Registered Users (C)
If i am working in the U.S. on a TN visa, what is the requirements to maintain my CDN residency so I do not loose my HEALTH CARE BENEFITS... I have one of the old OHIP cards that do not expire.... after watching the movie "SICKO".. it was a thought that crossed my mind!

I am a Canadian Citizen, born in Canada.
 
RaxDFW said:
If i am working in the U.S. on a TN visa, what is the requirements to maintain my CDN residency so I do not loose my HEALTH CARE BENEFITS... I have one of the old OHIP cards that do not expire.... after watching the movie "SICKO".. it was a thought that crossed my mind!
Click to expand...

The amount you would pay extra in Canadian taxes to retain your so-called benefits would pay for far superior health care in the United States. Besides, where in the US will you be living?
 
To mainatin OHIP, you need to be physically present in Ontario 5 months (not 6 like in most provinces) of the year, and maintain residency

Alternatively, one can, BEFORE departing, request that their OHIP coverage be maintained, by proving the temporary nature of their departure.

Since you did not do this, your OHIP is lapsed as soon as you leave, regardless of the non-expiry of the plastic.
 
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I have done that in the past.

You can send the letter to OHIP asking them the permission to provide you the health coverage outside Canada.
This kind of permission can be given to anybody (with valid reason, as you are working in US temperately) once in life time and the maximum up to 5 years.

They also informed me that You have to pay the service out of your pocket and then you can claim that from OHIP and you will be paid according to the Canadian rate ( which means whatever that service cost in Ontario).

My wife was hospitalize for 2 days in emergency, and the bill came up about $4000.00 I claim that amount from OHIP and they paid me $250.00 ($50.00 for the emergency room service and $200 for different kind of lab tests).

Now you can do your calculation.
 
I am moving to Dallas Texas...

My Doctor in Canada told me to make sure I make dr. appointments every six months. That way there will be activity with my OHIP card.

All my bills,accounts etc are registered to my parents home, so how would OHIP (health system) now if i am out of the country.

Hence of I come home on weekends once a month, does that maintain my residency?
 
I am moving to Dallas Texas... yes Cdn taxes are high but it is hard to wrap my mind around paying everytime i see a doctor or need a medical procedure

My Doctor in Canada told me to make sure I make dr. appointments every six months. That way there will be activity with my OHIP card.

All my bills,accounts etc are registered to my parents home, so how would OHIP (health system) now if i am out of the country.

Hence if I come home on weekends once a month, does that maintain my cdn residency?
 
RaxDFW;
You really should re-read what Real and ShyBoy have already written in this thread they're giving great feedback based on personal knowledge.
If paying for Dr. visits in the US, generally $5 to $50 co-pay each visit, isn't thrilling you you are going to love some of the other "culture shocks" you'll have here.
1. Everything is done through credit down here. No credit no apartment, no car, phone, heat, water, lights.
2. You need an SSN to get paid, get an apartment, etc. and it's taking months to get that # now compared to weeks prior to 9/11.
3. Food is way more expensive than in Canada
4. Many people commute 2 + hrs/day roundtrip to jobs
5. A car is likely more of a necessity in Texas than in other states; you'll need credit to get a car see #1.

OHIP will know you're in the US the first time you send back for reimbursements.
BTW, you do know that you have to pay the full medical bill first, then seek reimbursement at Ontario rates? Again, read ShyBoy's post....
 
If have read the above posts and they are all extremely helpful and I and thankful for all the responses...
It is true the co-payments are quite low and not a big deal :)
As for the other points made about credit, SSN... I get all that.

My questions is:

IF I DO NOT CHOOSE TO INFORM OHIP OF MY TEMP RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I RETURN HOME ONCE A MONTH AND SEE MY DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP APPT. etc.. WOULD MY HEALTH STATUS IN CANADA BE MAINTAINED?
 
RaxDFW said:
My questions is:

IF I DO NOT CHOOSE TO INFORM OHIP OF MY TEMP RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I RETURN HOME ONCE A MONTH AND SEE MY DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP APPT. etc.. WOULD MY HEALTH STATUS IN CANADA BE MAINTAINED?
Click to expand...

Your answer is NO. Essentially you are asking if you can pretend to be a resident of Ontario when in fact you are a resident of Texas. From the OHIP page:

Eligibility

Ontario residents are eligible for provincially funded health coverage (OHIP). To be eligible for Ontario health coverage you must :

* be a Canadian citizen or have immigration status as set out in Ontario's Health Insurance Act, and
* make your permanent and principal home in Ontario, and
* be physically present in Ontario 153 days in any 12-month period.


You are going to fail the principal home test and the physical presence test, even if you fly from Texas to Canada every weekend (!).

Are you a recent graduate? You sound like you are thinking like a student: living in the dorm, but "home" is with mom and dad. You're no longer a student, and "home" is where you live. If you're not living in Ontario, you can't pretend that you are. Others have given you good answers about health care and life in the US. Good luck, and don't try to trick OHIP.
 
The only way to make this work is to remain in Canada, live in Canada and then just commute everyday to Texas. That will be of course more expensive then just getting coverage in the US...
 
As was brought out, IF he has NOT yet left Canada, he can indeed request continuation of OHIP while he is working outside on TN. TN status' temporary nature lends itself easily to making this request.

However, why rely on OHIP when one's employer-provided healthcare will be much more cost effective, and the reimbursements more reliable?
 
RaxDFW said:
IF I DO NOT CHOOSE TO INFORM OHIP OF MY TEMP RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I RETURN HOME ONCE A MONTH AND SEE MY DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP APPT. etc.. WOULD MY HEALTH STATUS IN CANADA BE MAINTAINED?
Click to expand...

Traveling all the way back to Canada for a checkup? You realize that this would be far more expensive than any US healthcare, right?

Are you going to hop on a plane for a visit to the ER in Canada, too?
 
Remember the purpose of keeping OHIP while out living outside canad is to get services in that other country subsequently reimbursed, not flying back to Ontario.

But, I fear that it is not the fault of our poster for this misinformation, but that of the kooky doctor who is advising him.

He needs his license pulled. he probably bought his degree from Domenica, too.
 
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RaxDFW said:
My questions is:

IF I DO NOT CHOOSE TO INFORM OHIP OF MY TEMP RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I RETURN HOME ONCE A MONTH AND SEE MY DOCTOR FOR A CHECK UP APPT. etc.. WOULD MY HEALTH STATUS IN CANADA BE MAINTAINED?
Click to expand...

Real-world story

My friends were outside Canada for more then a year. OHIP was not contacted prior their departure. My friend’s wife became pregnant in States and suddenly, he lost his job. They had no chose as to move back to Toronto. Time was around of 6th month of pregnancy and she was behind on some tests already. Her OHIP card was not expired at this time having old Canadian address on it. Form the first week, her card was accepted at the numerous doctor offices and of course a birth was given with OHIP coverage as well. At the same time, they submitted tax return indicating their income abroad and absence time, and again, no questions asked. My conclusion is: if your OHIP is current and you leave and come back later with your OHIP unexpired, then it won’t be any problems to visit doctors
 
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