Provincial coverage expires three months after move, leaving a gap in insurance
A gap in basic health coverage led to some anxious months for an academic starting a new career in Sask-atchewan.
Daphne Taras, dean of the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan, said Saskatchewan Health denied her a health card twice after she moved from Alberta in 2010.
She applied as an individual because her husband was continuing to live and work in Alberta.
“They said they could not turn on my Saskatchewan Health insurance until it was clear he was not moving, at 12 months, which would effectively leave me without coverage for the better part of a year,” she said.
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Her health coverage from Alberta expired three months after she moved.
Taras said Saskatchewan Health asked to see the married couple’s separation agreement even though she advised that they were not separated, just pursuing careers in different provinces.
She was told she would have qualified for a health card within the standard three months after arriving if she was single or divorced.
“I thought it odd. I said it was discrimination on the basis of marital status,” said Taras.
“I think it’s quite offensive that in a province that created universal health care that I found myself without formal coverage.”
Taras said she has colleagues who faced similar challenges with Sask-atchewan Health when family arrived at different times because of dual careers, businesses and children in school.
“This has got to be fixed if there’s going to be decent in-migration,” she said.
“The days are over where one spouse is completely mobile and sacrifices a career.”
Taras had bought a home and the university’s group insurance benefits were in place, but she had to wait until the following year to receive a Saskatchewan health card.
“I was blessed I was healthy all that time, but I lived with the anxiety of not knowing who would cover me,” she said.
Taras took her concerns to Sask-atchewan Health, which stood by its original decision.
According to the department, if a person and his family are moving within Canada on the same date, coverage will begin on the first day of the third calendar month following the date that residency was established.
The home province covers them until Saskatchewan benefits take effect.
If one spouse plans to move within 12 months of the first spouse, Sask-atchewan Health begins coverage for both beginning the first day of the third calendar month following the arrival of the second spouse.
If the spouse does not arrive within the year, each will be considered individually and coverage will begin at the end of the 12-month period.
The second spouse’s coverage will begin the first day of the third calendar month following his arrival.
Pat Dean, director of health registries with eHealth Saskatchewan, said the rules are similar in other provinces.
“I can’t speak why it is written that way,” she said.
“This eligibility rule is across Canada, and that’s why our pamphlets and website says you will be covered by the other province until your coverage comes into effect here.”
Dean said those experiencing similar delays or coverage concerns can contact her, the program manager or the ministry, noting there is an appeal process in place.
“There’s an entire process of having that looked at,” she said.
“If there is no intent to reside here from the other spouse, we may ask for a declaration from the other party.”
She said her eligibility department staff is well versed in the rules, each with more than 30 years of experience.
“It’s not somebody who doesn’t know the work,” Dean said.
Normal turnaround time for processing new cards is 12 days.
