What is Health Insurance?

This is a general term for insurance against loss by sickness or bodily injury. It typically includes coverage for expenses such as doctor visits and hospital stays, and can cover normal and preventive care such as check-ups, prenatal and baby care. Health insurance can be made available to individuals and families. It is sometimes used more broadly to include insurance covering disability or long-term nursing or custodial care needs. It may be provided through a government-sponsored social insurance program, or from private insurance companies. The plan can be customized to suit the unique needs and the premium payments are treated as medical expenses under the Income Tax Act. Therefore a small business owner will receive a tax deduction while his employees will get a non taxable benefit.

Canada's national Health insurance program, often referred to as "Medicare", is designed to ensure that all residents have reasonable access to medically necessary hospital and physician services, on a prepaid basis. Instead of having a single national plan, they have a national program that is composed of 13 interlocking provincial and territorial health insurance plans, all of which share certain common features and basic standards of coverage. Canada's regionally based Medicare systems are cost effective partly because of their administrative simplicity. One of the most important things you need to do as soon as you arrive in Canada is to apply for a health insurance card.

All members of the family, including newborn babies, must possess their own card. The application form can be obtained from the provincial ministry of health office, any doctor's office, a hospital or a pharmacy. If necessary, the immigrant-serving organization in your area can help you fill out the form. To apply for a health card, you will need your birth certificate or Confirmation of Permanent Residence and passport. The permanent resident card may also be presented. In most provinces, you will receive coverage as soon as you apply.

There are a few companies in Canada that offer Visitors to Canada Health Insurance at a reasonable price and one such company called Expert travel financial security stands out far above the rest with a superior product, at an excellent price, and a very good service. This insurance is purchased by the day, and is available from 1 to 365 days. The premium is payable in full at the time of purchase. Any visitor to Canada for any reason - recreation or work, regardless of his status, on a work visa or with landed immigrant status, and covered or uncovered by one of the provincial healthcare plans, or awaiting coverage, a Visitors To Canada Health Insurance plan may provide the coverage. Visitors to Canada Health Insurance is intended to cover all or part of the costs associated with medical issues that are sudden and unexpected. They may not provide coverage in some circumstances like engaging in professional or dangerous sports, acts of war, etc.

An Added advantage for the Canadians is they can access the various health programs anytime and from any part of the country without any hassles in a cost effective manner.