Medicare (Canada) wants me to pay!

O.K. here is the story,

Prior to leaving Cananda “Five Years Ago” I was recieving premium assistance with my medical plan premiums. I didn’t have to pay so I didn’t think about it much to be honest. Then suddenly about two months ago they sent me a bill for 1056 Canadian dollars. Apparently they quit subsidizing me (around april 2003 I think) without telling me. I sent them a letter explaining that I thought my coverage had probably expired a long ago and that I didn’t need coverage. Anyway it seemed pretty outrageous to me that I was suddenly being asked to pay for coverage that 1) I didn’t know I had 2) I didn’t need.

Legally I imagine the only real complaint I have is that they didn’t inform me of the fact that the assistance had been been dropped. Coverage is mandatory for residents.

They have now turned the matter over to the “Ministry of Provincial Revenue, Collection and Loan Management Branch” They sent me a letter filled with veins in the eyeballs and threats against my income tax refund (ha!), wages (double haha), personal property etc. What I am really wondering is whether they can get me here in Taiwan. I don’t have anything but my wife does and she was covered under my plan.

That’s about it I guees. Thanks in advance for whatever insights, encouragement or cold hard facts that you might be able to provide.

Provincial medicare is only valid to residents of Canada. It is only valid for 6 months after you stop residing in Canada, same as your drivers license. Wonder what would happen if you proved to them that you were not residing in Canada for the time in question. Probably say that it was your responsibility to notify them of your change of residence.

Same applies for income tax; you have to contact Rev/Can and fill out some forms declaring yourself a non-res. not to be held accountable for income tax. This, I believe, can be done retroactively. The healthcare, I’m not so sure about; varies from province to province.

Good Luck,
CK

Excellent Citizen K. Good information. Thanks much.