Denied claims, pre-existing condition exclusions, coverage gaps when you arrive or move, and where to check the rules.
Most problems with supplementary health coverage in Canada are predictable: a pre-existing condition excluded in an individual plan, a gap of weeks or months when you leave an employer or arrive from abroad, a claim refused because a practitioner was not on the approved list, or a move to another province that resets your public coverage. The cost of these mistakes is usually a bill you assumed was covered.
Start with the common health insurance mistakes in Canada. It links to guides on pre-existing condition exclusions, what to do when a claim is denied, covering the waiting period as a newcomer and keeping coverage when you move between provinces.
The official sources guide lists the public bodies to check: your provincial ministry of health and health insurance plan, Health Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency and Revenu Québec, the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec, provincial insurance regulators, and the OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance for complaints.
This site explains coverage and costs; it does not give medical advice. If you have symptoms, call your provincial health line (811 in most provinces) or see a clinician, and call 911 in an emergency, whatever your insurance situation.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
Step-by-step: what to do when a health, drug or dental claim is refused in Canada, from the insurer's internal review to OLHI and provincial regulators, with a sample appeal outline.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
The costly mistakes Canadians make with health, drug and dental coverage: gaps between plans, missed deadlines, non-disclosure, duplicate coverage and claims refused on technicalities.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
How provincial health coverage transfers when you move within Canada, the up-to-three-month rule, Quebec's billing differences, drug programs and what to update in a private plan.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
Which provinces make newcomers wait for public health coverage, how to bridge the gap with private visitor or newcomer insurance, what it covers and what to check before buying.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
Where to verify Canadian health coverage rules: provincial health plans, Health Canada, CDCP, CRA and Revenu Québec, RAMQ, insurance regulators and complaint bodies, with what each covers.
Claim Problems, Mistakes and Official Sources
How individual health plans in Canada treat pre-existing conditions: look-back periods, exclusion riders, guaranteed-issue alternatives, disclosure duties and what to do if you are declined.
