How do I stand in regard to registering for the Alberta health plan on a TWP? I’m aware that each province has different rules and in some cases one needs to reside for a period of 3 months before being eligible. As I’m aware, it’s not required in Alberta but you need to be a “resident”. In my opinion I would not be able to participate but my new boss seems to think it’s possible. He has had foreign drivers come in on an LMO before and he believes that they were eligible right away. However, they needed to show proof of medical cover at the Canadian point of entry as an immigration formality. At the moment he’s looking in to the finer details to find the easiest solution. Can anyone advise me on the best course of action? In any case I will need to be covered for all potential hospitalisation and repatriation costs.
Thanks.
Duck:
How do I stand in regard to registering for the Alberta health plan on a TWP? I’m aware that each province has different rules and in some cases one needs to reside for a period of 3 months before being eligible. As I’m aware, it’s not required in Alberta but you need to be a “resident”. In my opinion I would not be able to participate but my new boss seems to think it’s possible. He has had foreign drivers come in on an LMO before and he believes that they were eligible right away. However, they needed to show proof of medical cover at the Canadian point of entry as an immigration formality. At the moment he’s looking in to the finer details to find the easiest solution. Can anyone advise me on the best course of action? In any case I will need to be covered for all potential hospitalisation and repatriation costs.
Thanks.
If in doubt just grab some Blue Cross coverage for the first 3 months, takes 15mins to set up
May as well go to the top on this one Gene Zwozdesky is the Alberta Minister of Health mailto:edmonton.millcreek@assembly.ab.ca. As for thr entry requirements Big John or Big Johns Dad if you send them a PM they maybe able to help you. You may have to take out a Blue Cross or something similar until you get covered by Alta Health.
I have no idea how things work in AB, I reckon good old Mr Google may help you out though 
If there is a three month wait, it would be a good idea to get some temporary coverage from the UK before you leave, it may be a bit pricey as you’ll need to tell them you’re working, but nowhere near as expensive as the potential bills could be if you are sick or in an accident, I hear an ambulance can cost thousands, then medical bills on top of that, better safe than sorry
All 3 of my sons moved to Edmonton Alberta from the UK in the last 3 years. They were covered from day one or as soon after as they registered. They are all dual Canadian/UK citizens but as far as I know it covers everyone with legal status living in Alberta. My daughter in law is covered but is not Canadian.
Jon may answer if he sees this.
Thanks. I was looking on the Alberta Blue Cross website yesterday. However, it mentions that you have to be a “resident”, not quite sure what the definition of that is exactly. I used to get my medical cover for Malaysia/Singapore through a small firm in Wales but they’ve ceased trading. So far the temporary policies I’ve found online are geared towards the “backpacker” market (i.e. not valid for operating heavy machinery/hazardous activities etc.). I’m 99% sure that one can register immediately in Alberta for provincial health, I think B.C. is one of the provinces where they require the initial 3 month period. I’ll wait to see what the boss says, I think he may have employed Brits in the past so he should be able to find out for sure.
As a foot note, I’m not exactly superstitious but I think I must have tempted fate by starting this thread… Just got back from a local run to Leics./Derbys. and then twisted my back whilst walking across the yard. It just went “CLICK” for no apparent reason!
One thing is for sure, I won’t be making use of the Nottinghamshire provincial health plan, the local NHS hospital in Mansfield is renowned for being a butcher’s shop! 
Ask the boss if you can use the company address for a Blue Cross plan dont tell Blue Cross it is temp, just cancel you plan when your other plan kicks in. Ask the boss to send you the Blue Cross cards so you can show them to immigration. Done.
This page should give you the information your looking for 
Duck, it’s very easy to get coverage from the UK, in Manitoba we had to be covered for the first 3 months and so glad we were, after 4 weeks my son who had just turned 5 at the time broke his arm at school, would hate to think how much that would have cost! don’t take short cuts, you never know what can happen.
Steve
Alright, thanks… The boss believes I’ll be able to register for Alberta health on arrival in Canada and that I’ll receive a provincial health card valid untill the end of my visa/wp. What he’s unsure about are the entry requirements from an immigration perspective. It may be safer to just buy an all inclusive policy here in the U.K. and then (hopefully) claim the costs back from my employer as that option was discussed previously. If I have to swallow the pill I will but I’d prefer to put that money towards accomodation costs, otherwise it might be a case of hotel Freightshaker for a while. 
Duck I can make a couple phone calls and find out it may be if you are covered from day 1 by Alta you wont need additional let me make a couple calls and find out.
Duck I contacted my sister at customs and immigration she is going to find out if they will accept the Alberta Health as you will be covered from the time you arrive in Alberta. She should have an answer for me by tommorrow. I also asked her to give us the contact number for the supervisior who she talks to.
“They also must cover recruiting costs; consult with the local union if the position is covered under a collective agreement; help find suitable and affordable accommodations; pay the worker’s full airfare to and from their home country; provide medical coverage until the worker is eligible for provincial health insurance; and register workers through provincial workers compensation or workplace safety insurance plan.”
This is a quote I’ve taken from an article on www.todaystrucking.com about the changes to the TWP program starting from 01/04/2011.
A link to the actual article would be nice, a general link like that really doesn’t help much.
John I recieved your PM I am not able to answer PM’s there is an issue with IE9 and it is all messed up do you have an email, just PM it to me and I will call my father was also with CIC he was the superintendant for Canada West until he retired I know lots of customs people. I will get the answers for you and a contact for you in that dept.
Brentanna:
A link to the actual article would be nice, a general link like that really doesn’t help much.
mickfly:
Brentanna:
A link to the actual article would be nice, a general link like that really doesn’t help much.
Thanks Mick. 
ukkie:
“They also must cover recruiting costs; consult with the local union if the position is covered under a collective agreement; help find suitable and affordable accommodations; pay the worker’s full airfare to and from their home country; provide medical coverage until the worker is eligible for provincial health insurance; and register workers through provincial workers compensation or workplace safety insurance plan.”This is a quote I’ve taken from an article on todaystrucking.com about the changes to the TWP program starting from 01/04/2011.
Thanks for the post Ukkie I just recieved a call that yes indeed those changes do in fact come into effect midnight tonight. Effective midnight tonight the employer is responsible for all travel costs and for medical coverage. This can be done by adding the employee to the companies benefits plan and paying for all the coverage costs.
The same applies for Manitoba the Employer has to cover medical coverage until the worker is covered by Manitoba Health.