Health Insurance for New Immigrants & Returning Canadians

New permanent residents and returning Canadians may face a waiting period before provincial health coverage begins. Ontario currently has no OHIP waiting period for eligible new residents, but some other provinces still do. A short-term private plan protects you until your health card is active.

Ideally before the visitor arrives in Canada. If you buy after arrival, most insurers apply a waiting period — commonly 48 hours for injuries and up to 7–8 days for illness — during which sickness is not covered.

Yes, most policies can be extended before they expire if the visitor stays longer, provided no claim has been made or the insurer approves it. Contact Pankaj a few days before the end date.

You can cancel for a full refund any time before the effective date. After coverage starts, unused days are usually refundable if there are no claims, minus a small admin fee.

Call 911 if it is life-threatening. Otherwise, call the insurer's 24/7 emergency assistance number on the policy card before treatment whenever possible — they will direct you to a clinic or hospital and can often pay the provider directly. Then contact Pankaj for help with the claim.

Pankaj Bhatia is licensed to sell insurance in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Policies are arranged by phone, WhatsApp and email, so you don't need to visit an office.