Question:
I am posting this message for a
Canadian friend who is contemplating
a move to the US. She would be entering
as a scientist and pretty much understands
the immigration issues. What is
concerning her is in regard to health
care. Presently she has found out
that she would not be eligible for
medicare until she has been a resident
here for 10 years (she is well under
the age of 65 at which this regulation
does not apply).
She also has
been told that if she returned to
Canada she would not be eligible
for the national health plan for
a period of 6 months after her return.
She wonders what options she would
have if she immigrated to the U.S.
and became ill to a degree that
she could no longer perform her
job and was terminated. If anybody
has some advice, I would appreciate
receiving it via e-mail directly
(as I do not have ready access to
news) although it might be useful
to post the reply as well for the
benefit of others.
Answer:
if you are terminated you still get to remain in the old
health plan for up to 18 months under federal law (COBRA). (During that
period you have to pay your employer's share of the premium as well as your
own, though).
Her prospective employer's Employee Benefits Department will be fully
familiar with this issue and can confirm to her what I say, as they will
have dealt with it frequently. It is in most benefits booklets.
