Rob A. Says:
Will I lose access to my Canadian healthcare if I spend half the year abroad?
IL Contributor Steven LePoidevin Writes:
In order to qualify for provincial health insurance in Canada, you must be considered a permanent resident of that province.
Several provinces require a minimum number of residency days in any 12-month period. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia require that you are physically present at least 183 days; Ontario only requires 153 days. In Newfoundland, it’s four consecutive months. The Yukon Territory requires that you make your permanent home in the Yukon and not be physically absent for more than six months.
As soon as you leave your home province, the clock starts ticking. Be sure to confirm whether your province uses a 12-month period or a calendar year. If you move to Thailand from Ontario in October, you can spend a total of seven months out of Ontario before October of the following year and still retain your provincial healthcare.
If you lose your Canadian “residency” and Medicare, either intentionally or unintentionally, you will need to reinstate your eligibility by living in your province for three straight months (without leaving) before you get the benefits back.
These are general guidelines; it’s best to contact your provincial Ministry of Health before moving overseas to obtain up-to-date rules. In some cases, timelines can be extended because of individual circumstances. For example, Ontario might cover you for a longer period of time if you are out of the country studying, working, vacationing, or doing missionary work.
You can find links to Canada’s provincial healthcare resources at this link.
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