Will you retire outside of Canada? You can here on $30K per year.

[oldjones]

Nothing at all to do with taxes. If it was tax based, many in Toronto would already have lost their coverage.

I can't believe there's even one person in Toronto who has not paid HST, never mind "many".

What you need to keep coverage is to stay here long enough each year to have the legal obligation to file income tax, and the place you'll stay when you're here. That covers residence and time.

If one intended to do the back and forth, it might be worth considering trading off the Ontario residence for one in a different province where the standard healthcare seemed a better fit for your needs. You're already establishing one new home, what's one more?

 

[mrsCALoki]

I can't believe there's even one person in Toronto who has not paid HST, never mind "many".

Sorry you cannot believe it. Go find out how many people in Toronto get a full HST refund based on their income level, and let me know if you consider that 'many'.

What you need to keep coverage is to stay here long enough each year to have the legal obligation to file income tax, and the place you'll stay when you're here. That covers residence and time.

It amasses me how many people in Canada have no idea how their tax and health systems work yet feel so empowered to make comments.

In Canada you have 4 classes of individuals for tax purposes: Factual Resident, Factual Resident, Non-Resident, and Deemed Non-Resident. You remain a Factual Resident and have to pay Canadian taxes if you have a home in Canada (our house is rented out with a long term lease so is an asset but not a home). If you have a spouse or common law spouse and/or children who remain in Canada (his child in Canada is over 30 so not a child in this definition). If you maintain personal property or social ties in Canada. If any of these apply you MUST pay taxes in Canada. Even if you are a way for years at a time.

If you elect to become a non-resident you need to maintain the non-resident status for a period of time. One of the provisions is the magical 183 maximum number of days you can spend in Canada during a 12 month period. Gotta watch that one! At 184 days you have to pay Canadian taxes again. You get to stay a Canadian citizen, but you do not have to pay income taxes except for income generated in Canada (rental income on our house is taxable) but for most the income is low o taxes are low.

Health care, in Ontario Ohip, continues if you are in Ontario for at least 153 days in any 12-month period and maintain a residence here. Residence means you have a full time place to live. Since we rent out our house we are not delegable. There are exceptions for students and a few other groups but for retired people, that is about it. R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER H.6 provides all the details.

So your health insurance is not related to tax at all. not even the same time frames.

HOWEVER OHIP does not cover you for most things you need coverage for when out of the country. How bad is it? If you are a diabetic and leave Canada, and go into a coma, it is not covered. (pre existing condition clause).

So who really cares? You need health insurance or deep pockets when travelling abroad.

 

[mrsCALoki]

In Ont, if you leave the country for an extened period, I am not sure how long, you have to wait 3 months before you can again get OHIP. If you have health care from Alberta, BC and I think NB, you are covered as soon as you return.

Very misleading comment.

In some cases the extended period you mention is up to 5 years and, as I stated, in all cases you only need to be in Ontario for 153 days in a 12 month period. If you allow your OHIP to lapse you have a 3 month waiting period for it to become valid after you become a resident of Ontario.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_waiting_pd.aspx

The waiting period does not apply to insured residents who travel outside Ontario for less than 212 days in each 12-month period. All insured Ontario residents can spend up to 212 days in each 12-month period outside Ontario without losing their OHIP coverage.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/longer_absences.aspx Details how and when it can be extended for much longer period (like 5 years).

 

[afterhours]

mrsCALoki, do you happen to have any numbers re expat insurance costs?

 

[Danolo]

I nominate you as out Terb "Thailand" correspondant.

here's my favourite monger's site in Thailand...

http://forum.thepattayaclub.com/index.php

 

[hungry]

Very misleading comment.

In some cases the extended period you mention is up to 5 years and, as I stated, in all cases you only need to be in Ontario for 153 days in a 12 month period. If you allow your OHIP to lapse you have a 3 month waiting period for it to become valid after you become a resident of Ontario.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/ohip_waiting_pd.aspx

The waiting period does not apply to insured residents who travel outside Ontario for less than 212 days in each 12-month period. All insured Ontario residents can spend up to 212 days in each 12-month period outside Ontario without losing their OHIP coverage.

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/publications/ohip/longer_absences.aspx Details how and when it can be extended for much longer period (like 5 years).

Thanks, for clearing up what I said. My point was move to one of the other provinces I mentioned and you do not have to worry about losing your coverage.

 

[mrsCALoki]

Thanks, for clearing up what I said. My point was move to one of the other provinces I mentioned and you do not have to worry about losing your coverage.

Well if that is your point, it is complete BS .

Other than some exceptions to maintain your health care coverage:

Ontario requires you stay 153 days in Ontario out of every 12 months.

Alberta requires you stay 183 days in Alberta out of every 12 months. ALBERTA IS WORSE

If you let your health care status lapse, and need to renew it:

Ontario is 3 months ( I did not bother getting the definition of 3 months) with a few exceptions.
Alberta is "If you apply for AHCIP coverage for yourself and your family within 3 months of their arrival, coverage will be effective on the first day of the third month after they arrive." with a few exceptions. http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/AHCIP-brochure-about-2011.pdf
BC "New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival plus two months." http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/eligible.html#when

 

[mrsCALoki]

mrsCALoki, do you happen to have any numbers re expat insurance costs?

I depends on your age, health, and where you are going. My mom (mid forties) is going to be spending a lot of time with us, and her health insurance is well under 100 euros a month.

I have no idea what mine costs.

 

[hungry]

Well if that is your point, it is complete BS .

Other than some exceptions to maintain your health care coverage:

Ontario requires you stay 153 days in Ontario out of every 12 months.

Alberta requires you stay 183 days in Alberta out of every 12 months. ALBERTA IS WORSE

If you let your health care status lapse, and need to renew it:

Ontario is 3 months ( I did not bother getting the definition of 3 months) with a few exceptions.
Alberta is "If you apply for AHCIP coverage for yourself and your family within 3 months of their arrival, coverage will be effective on the first day of the third month after they arrive." with a few exceptions. http://www.health.alberta.ca/documents/AHCIP-brochure-about-2011.pdf
BC "New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival plus two months." http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/eligible.html#when

Again, thanks for updating. I see the part about the 183 days. However, assuming one has been living abroad for a few years and one moves back to Alberta, it says on page 5, that one may be covered on the day of arrival if one applies with in 3 months of arrival.

Moving to Alberta from outside of Canada
When moving to Alberta from outside of Canada, coverage may be effective the date of arrival if the person registers with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan within the first three months after arriving in Alberta. If a person does not register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan within the first three months of Alberta residency, Alberta Health and Wellness will determine the date coverage becomes effective.

Would this not apply?

I remeber reading a few years ago about a woman who worked in the States for 5 years, moved back to Ont. and got sick and found out she was not covered by OHIP, because of the 3 mo waiting period. The media, at the time mentioned that had she moved to Alberta, she would have been covered. Things may have changed. The bottom line is to check your options before retiring out of Canada. If one goes to places like Thailand, etc. The medical coverage is less expensive. I have talked to many ex-pats, who keep a reserve fund just for such an emergency.

 

[mrsCALoki]

Again, thanks for updating. I see the part about the 183 days. However, assuming one has been living abroad for a few years and one moves back to Alberta, it says on page 5, that one may be covered on the day of arrival if one applies with in 3 months of arrival.

Moving to Alberta from outside of Canada
When moving to Alberta from outside of Canada, coverage may be effective the date of arrival if the person registers with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan within the first three months after arriving in Alberta. If a person does not register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan within the first three months of Alberta residency, Alberta Health and Wellness will determine the date coverage becomes effective.

Would this not apply?

When I decided to move to Canada for a summer my three locations of interest were Toronto , Fort McMurray, and Vancouver. I checked out all 3 health care programs. I was told by Alberta that if I was setting up permanent residence in Alberta there would be no issues, but there were major issues if I did not stay there for the 183 days days. Entry documentation into Canada was also an issue. Also Alberta expected me to pay for their insurance.

I guess the overly simplified statement is: you need to spend 183 days a year to keep your insurance if you live in Alberta. If you lose your coverage and you satisfy their conditions you may get coverage reinstated immediately. In Ontario you only need to spend 153 days a year to keep your insurance If lose your coverage and you satisfy their conditions you may get coverage reinstated immediately. In either case you have to keep a home in the province.

BC is much simpler:
"When does Coverage Begin?

New residents or persons re-establishing residence in B.C. are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival plus two months. For example, if an eligible person arrives during the month of July, coverage is available October 1. If absences from Canada exceed a total of 30 days during the waiting period, eligibility for coverage may be affected." http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/eligible.html#when

In either case, why bother? Coverage outside of Canada is mediocre, you need private health insurance anyway. Why return to Canada for something that has little or no value?