Is it a good financial decision to move to Canada to save health care costs?

Question

My wife and I bring home around 1700/mo, after taxes. Roughly half, 860 goes to health insurance. This does not include payouts for co-pays for our perscriptions. My wife stated that we would be ahead to move to Canada. Does this seem like a good decision?

Answer 1

You want to pay 65% income tax?  Because that's what it is, in Canada, to pay for their health care system.  And, then you get in line, and hope you don't die before your turn comes to see the doctor.

Just like everywhere else in the world, people in Canada who can AFFORD private health insurance, buy it - because you get better, faster health care with the private insurance, than the government program.

Answer 2

Often I recommend to my clients to move to another state.  If you live in New Jersey you could knock off 70-90% of your premium moving to neighboring DE or MD.

It's not outlandish to move to cut costs.  People do it all the time to save on taxes.  I don't think moving to another country is necessary.

Answer 3

Funny...a lot of Canadians go to the US when they need "major" medical care.  

The perils of socialized medicine.  Things like routine visits to the doctor or prescriptions are relatively less expensive.  However, when you need something like a quadruple bypass, in the US you can get it in a matter of days.  In places like Canada or the UK, you can wait weeks, months, or even longer.  

Sounds like a stress-free feeling....

It doesnt sound like you are taking into account the additional costs of moving to Canda.  For example, if you move to Canada (presumably from the US) you are still taxed as US citizens and you will also incur the higer taxes of living in Canada.   You have to think really carefully.

Answer 4

Yes, I think you would save alot of money if you moved to Canada.  It depends on the province, though.  There are some problems with our health care system.  Where we live, there is a 7 year waiting list to get a doctor.  So we have to drive to the next province and go to the ER every time we want to see a doctor about something.  Very inefficient.

Edit: mbrcatz1...  If they are making $1700/month, they are not going to be paying taxes of 65%.  They won't even pay half that.

You do not have to be a Canadian citizen to be covered.  Again, the details depend on the province.  In Alberta my husband was paying a premium of $50 per month.

Answer 5

You can't just magically move to Canada and waltz into a hospital and get free Health Care.  While it sounds good in theory, it simply doens't work that way.  Have you investigated the costs of this move?  You'll need an Immigration Lawyer.  It can take years and alot of work.

In order to work here, you would have to be legally entitled to work here.  Unless you have a job offer from a Canadian company who is willing to hire a foreign worker, then you are not permitted to work here.  If your 2 income household is only bringing in $1700/month, I can guess that you are not in a highly technical or skilled position.  In order for a Canadian company to hire a foreign worker, they have to prove that no Canadian wants the job (or that those that want it are not skilled enough to take it).  These are very similar to the rules for trying to get a job in the US.

So my answer is 'no'.  This is not a good decision.