Retiring to Canada

[Richard8655]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kumquat Canada allows private treatment and queue jumping. We call it "medical tourism".

Meaning going to the States?

[Meadbh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 Meaning going to the States?

No, there are much cheaper places. e,g, Asia, Eastern Europe...

[kumquat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 Meaning going to the States?

Only for politicians.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh No, there are much cheaper places. e,g, Asia, Eastern Europe...

+1

[Rob]

All of the posts so far seem to be from people who are dual citizens or permanent residents or striving to be permanent residents of Canada. I have close friends in Canada that invite me to live there as long as I want. I've got a room in their house and have lived there for 6 months or more at a time. As Americans, we can stay for six months at a time. My passport is never stamped at the border when driving across.

I am 64, plan on using Medicare, but also plan on having a stateside address.

Rob

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob All of the posts so far seem to be from people who are dual citizens or permanent residents or striving to be permanent residents of Canada. I have close friends in Canada that invite me to live there as long as I want. I've got a room in their house and have lived there for 6 months or more at a time. As Americans, we can stay for six months at a time. My passport is never stamped at the border when driving across. I am 64, plan on using Medicare, but also plan on having a stateside address. Rob

Do you buy health ins. coverage for your time in Canada?

Also, if your passport is not stamped how do they know how long you stayed?

[Richard8655]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob All of the posts so far seem to be from people who are dual citizens or permanent residents or striving to be permanent residents of Canada. I have close friends in Canada that invite me to live there as long as I want. I've got a room in their house and have lived there for 6 months or more at a time. As Americans, we can stay for six months at a time. My passport is never stamped at the border when driving across. I am 64, plan on using Medicare, but also plan on having a stateside address. Rob

Yes, you can stay there for up to 6 months but you can't use any services like healthcare if not a permanent resident (otherwise you'll be billed). So except for sightseeing and being with friends, there's no other benefit. Medicare (U.S.) won't cover any medical expenses while there.

[kumquat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob All of the posts so far seem to be from people who are dual citizens or permanent residents or striving to be permanent residents of Canada. I have close friends in Canada that invite me to live there as long as I want. I've got a room in their house and have lived there for 6 months or more at a time. As Americans, we can stay for six months at a time. My passport is never stamped at the border when driving across. I am 64, plan on using Medicare, but also plan on having a stateside address. Rob

I''m a Canadian citizen who spends some time in the US. There are similar problems for both of us. I haven't said much but:

1. Stamps on passports are so old technology. Both Canada and USA know where you are when, think scanning bar-codes.
2. Neither Canada nor USA cares much where you are except for taxation purposes. As far as health care goes, you must have proof of residence (and other eligibility) in the province you live in. Otherwise you will be charged (at a rate that you may like). This also applies to Canadian citizens, although they will probably be reimbursed.
3. Stay in Canada 185 days in any year and you are subject to Canadian income tax. Note that the days do not have to be contiguous. Note also that Canada's income tax is probably higher than you will pay in USA. One example is "tax free muni's". All income is taxed in Canada. Note too, that if I spend 185 days in USA, I'm subject to US income tax. My tax bill probably won't change (due to tax treaties and Cdn tax rates) but Canada has no "death tax", I might be subject to it (and will be depending on US assets).

By all means come up here and party. We'll show you a good time and you'll like it. It will be a detriment to ER, though, unless you have permanent residency or citizenship.

[Rob]

Hi. My health insurance is with IHI, from Belgium. It's an international policy that covers me in all countries of the world. You can only get the policy if you are living and working overseas, and then once you have it, it is guaranteed for life even if you return to the N. America. I've used it in Quebec, as long as I pay the deductible.

As for Medicare, living in an area close to the US allows you to seek medical care in the US if you so desire. I have not tried that yet, but it certainly is possible. You just have to be wiling to make the short trip to the States. I've had friends that have done that from other countries that they retired to.

There are many Canadians who have bought property in the US for retirement and spend a good part of the year in the states living in their home as Canadian citizens. If they spend less than 6 months in the States, they still qualify for the free medical care in Canada if they are willing to fly there.

Rob

[Richard8655]

Adding a note to the subject of this thread. In looking at U.S. Medicare Part B, it seems those costs will be going up annually. For a couple it's now $2400+. Although I'm not there yet (58), I wonder if this is a concern for those there now or planning for it. And this would be on top of premiums for any retiree coverage that would then become secondary or suplemental. Seems these are non-issues for Canadians at any age (not that their system is perfect either).

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob As for Medicare, living in an area close to the US allows you to seek medical care in the US if you so desire. I have not tried that yet, but it certainly is possible. You just have to be wiling to make the short trip to the States. I've had friends that have done that from other countries that they retired to.

We have a friend who is a US citizen and collects his social security even though lives in PV fulltime. He needs a bypass operation and is going to dallas at month-end to have the operation. It is covered by the VA.

Quote:

There are many Canadians who have bought property in the US for retirement and spend a good part of the year in the states living in their home as Canadian citizens. If they spend less than 6 months in the States, they still qualify for the free medical care in Canada if they are willing to fly there.

They must complete a form each year claiming a close affiliation with Canada if they spend more than 30 days living in the US. The form enables them to live there for 183 days wihout filing tax returns. As resident aliens, they are liable for US estate taxes upon death. This is uncertain as it is changing next year.

[Richard8655]

It's good to hear we have the VA in this country that can provide essential medical services to veterans (as you mentioned with your friend) without health insurance and at no charge.

It seems a paradox to me that many will call the Canadian system "socialistic", yet fully support the VA... which is a completely government-owned, government-run system at federal medical facilities staffed by civil service employees. Come to think of it, why can't we provide this safety net to all Americans, not just veterans? I think health care reform is a small (but good) step in that direction.

But getting back to the purpose of this thread, other countries do offer affordable health coverage even for retirees. So staying in this country with the worry and fretting over affordability and the unknowns of always having coverage is not the only option we have to accept. A high deductible policy is no answer to real health care coverage. It's really a reflection of the sad state of affairs here to have to resort to that. People will tend to avoid seeing a doctor unless an emergency or the illness has progressed where it's often too late.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 It seems a paradox to me that many will call the Canadian system "socialistic", yet fully support the VA... which is a completely government-owned, government-run system at federal medical facilities staffed by civil service employees. Come to think of it, why can't we provide this safety net to all Americans, not just veterans? I think health care reform is a small (but good) step in that direction.

Do some research and you will find the answers to your questions. VA health care is for those who have contributed with their health to the security of the USA. To present it as you do demeans their service.


Do You Qualify For VA Health Care?

1. Are any of these statements true?

• You served in the active military, naval, or air service and were honorably discharged or released
• You were/are a Reservist or National Guard member and you were called to active duty by a Federal Order (for other than training purposes) and you completed the full call-up period

2. Are any of these statements true?

• You were discharged or separated for medical reasons, early out, or hardship
• You served in theater of combat operations within the past 5 years
• You were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting)
• You are a former Prisoner of War
• You received a Purple Heart Medal
• You receive VA pension or disability benefits
• You receive state Medicaid benefits

[Richard8655]

How am I demeaning veterans' service? I just mentioned I'm glad we have such a system. I work for the VA, so you need not quote for me the eligibility rules.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 How am I demeaning veterans' service?

You aren't.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 How am I demeaning veterans' service? I just mentioned I'm glad we have such a system. I work for the VA, so you need not quote for me the eligibility rules.

I doubt the above is true. Anyone who works for the VA and seen the sacrifices veterans have made could not call the public's support for the VA as a paradox as you do below.

These men and women have paid the price for our country with their priceless mental and physical health.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 It seems a paradox to me that many will call the Canadian system "socialistic", yet fully support the VA... which is a completely government-owned, government-run system at federal medical facilities staffed by civil service employees.

[Richard8655]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex I doubt the above is true. Anyone who works for the VA could not call the public's support for the VA as a paradox as you do below.

It seems to me you're completely misunderstanding. Maybe my choice of words is too complicated. I'll talk simpler. The VA not paradox, the VA good. Canada has similar system. This also good. Paradox that many say Canada system no good while they say VA good.

I'm starting to wonder if it's possible to have an intelligent discussion at this forum. Some people here seem fairly hostile to any opinion they don't understand or that may differ from their own.

[GregLee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 Come to think of it, why can't we provide this safety net to all Americans, not just veterans?

I think that is a good idea. We should create free government run clinics that anyone could go to when sick. At least at the beginning stages of such a system, we should expect long waits and 3rd rate care, because we all know there is not enough money in the world to pay for 1st rate care for everyone. But in providing 3rd rate care for all, at least we would be providing some sort of care, and we could hope to improve such a system of free clinics in the future.

[dex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard8655 It seems to me you're completely misunderstanding. Maybe my choice of words is too complicated. I'll talk simpler. The VA not paradox, the VA good. Canada has similar system. This also good. Paradox that many say Canada system no good while they say VA good.

I didn't know Canada had a similar system for the general public where one of the qualification for service was similar to the VA.

1. Are any of these statements true?

• You served in the active military, naval, or air service and were honorably discharged or released
• You were/are a Reservist or National Guard member and you were called to active duty by a Federal Order (for other than training purposes) and you completed the full call-up period

2. Are any of these statements true?

• You were discharged or separated for medical reasons, early out, or hardship
• You served in theater of combat operations within the past 5 years
• You were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting)
• You are a former Prisoner of War
• You received a Purple Heart Medal
• You receive VA pension or disability benefits
• You receive state Medicaid benefits

[Richard8655]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex I didn't know Canada had a similar system for the general public where one of the qualification for service was similar to the VA. 1. Are any of these statements true? You served in the active military, naval, or air service and were honorably discharged or released You were/are a Reservist or National Guard member and you were called to active duty by a Federal Order (for other than training purposes) and you completed the full call-up period 2. Are any of these statements true? You were discharged or separated for medical reasons, early out, or hards You served in theater of combat operations within the past 5 years You were discharged from the military because of a disability (not preexisting) You are a former Prisoner of War You received a Purple Heart Medal You receive VA pension or disability benefits You receive state Medicaid benefits

I give up.

[kcowan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex I didn't know Canada had a similar system for the general public where one of the qualification for service was similar to the VA.

In Canada, active members of the forces get superior medical benefits, just like civil servants, including expanded coverage for drugs dental etc. Once they retire, they rely on the public system except for expanded benefits.

They also qualify for gold-plated pensions.