Healthcare in MA? (Boston: sales, health insurance, to buy)

[myriambh]

Hi all, I am from Canada and gealthcare is free in here, I am considering to move to Boston to join my bf so I'm kinda worried about the healthcare issue. How does it work? Can I get medical care if I ever get sick?
Thanks!

[Utopian Slums]

You need to sign up and pay premiums BEFORE you get sick if you want/need insurance to pay for it. A USA hospital will not bill Canada for your care.

This should help: https://www.mahealthconnector.org

Also, if you are living with your partner, you might be able to be added to his plan in some places.

[Dm84]

Basically if you have a job you pay for insurance. Otherwise there is a government run mechanism to buy insurance, but you need to be a legal US resident.

Yes there are co-pays if you get sick and deductibles for tests or hospitalization (among other things) however Healthcare in Canada isn't free - people pay much higher taxes than in the US.

[KKay9]

You need to purchase health insurance for yourself. What kind of VISA will you have? If you'll have work or student VISA (H-1B, F-1, J-1), you can purchase health insurance on the Massachusetts exchange (link provided by poster above), though you won't be eligible for Medicaid. If you'll have a tourist VISA, you'll need to purchase travel health insurance. Travel insurance generally has pretty limited coverage.

Honestly, unless you have a job lined up (which would provide you with a work VISA and access to the exchange and possibly employer subsidized health insurance), I would not be moving (as opposed to just visiting) to another country to be with a boyfriend. If you are getting married, that's a different story, as you could get coverage from his plan as spouse. And, health insurance isn't the only reason not to move without a commitment.

[snatale1]

Originally Posted by myriambh

Hi all, I am from Canada and gealthcare is free in here, I am considering to move to Boston to join my bf so I'm kinda worried about the healthcare issue. How does it work? Can I get medical care if I ever get sick?
Thanks!

Here's a good place to start https://www.mahealthconnector.org/ there are many options throughout all price ranges. Not being a Citizen your not eligible for government sponsored healthcare but that doesn't matter as I assume your going to get a job right? Almost ever employer (very few exceptions) must provide a health plan. The law doesn't say it has to be a good one, but your typically ok for single person coverage regardless. Health insurance in MA is higher than many other states, as with most things in MA. However, you will never be denied healthcare if you need it here. Without insurance you'll have a nice bill coming but if anything bad every happened you would be treated regardless. For most small things that don't require hospital visits I'm a fan of urgent care clinics. There nice, clean and affordable. Many people are replacing their primary care doctors with them since you can just walk in, be seen, get prescriptions etc. I walked in, got my yearly physical, a cholesterol test and a flu shot for about $200. Can't beat that. I've got insurance now but still a fan of those places.

Also, your healthcare in Canada is NOT free, don't let the fact that you don't leave with a bill fool you! Your government gets that money from you! Your tax rate is higher and cost of living is usually higher as well. Your still loosing the money, just somewhere else.

[in_newengland]

Not being a Citizen your not eligible for government sponsored healthcare

Slight correction to the last post. You do not have to be a citizen. You need to become a legal permanent resident. The citizenship process comes last and is not necessary. The laws are strange about becoming a legal permanent resident and so the usual way is to get engaged or married and come on a spousal visa. That would be kind of awkward if he is only your boyfriend.

I don't know about work visas and student visas, but as mentioned before, you could get insurance those ways too. I think a three month travel visa is about the best you could do. You would not be allowed to work though. Therefore you could not get insurance. Probably you would use travel insurance.

[civis]

Originally Posted by Dm84

Basically if you have a job you pay for insurance. Otherwise there is a government run mechanism to buy insurance, but you need to be a legal US resident.

however Healthcare in Canada isn't free - people pay much higher taxes than in the US.

Giving that not just healthcare but also higher education in Canada is nearly free, and their property taxes are much lower, it's safe to say that Canada's taxes are actually lower than US.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by civis

Giving that not just healthcare but also higher education in Canada is nearly free, and their property taxes are much lower, it's safe to say that Canada's taxes are actually lower than US.

Their income and sales taxes are much higher than anything in the United States.