Health Cover/Travel Insurance in Alberta and British Columbia

Heya :)

I'm Heading over to Banff and possibly Big White for the 09/10 ski season, and have started to suss out travel insurance and things, but its fairly expensive (compared to what I kinda thought... I didn't factor it into initial budget). Is it pretty much a requirement? I have a mate over in Banff at the moment, and he reckons if you're staying anywhere in Alberta and can prove you are staying there for >3months you get free health cover (He doesn't currently have insurance). Sounds pretty sweet, and thats whats making me think _maybe_ I can get away with it, although im not sure how it all fits in for people skiing/boarding most days and facing a possible injury on the mountain. He wasn't sure about the situation in BC, sounds like it might be a differnt story.

Sorry if this topic has been covered, I tried searching but couldnt find much.

Thanks heaps,

Matt

Presumably you have a visa for more than 3 months stay. I would check with the Canadian High Commission before relying on the advice of your mate.

Get decent health insurance, worth it for piece of mind. Decent cover will probably set you back more than £300.

Thanks for the quick reply guys :) Hmm yeah that sounds good pablo, think I will just suck it up and get some cover so there are no hassles!

Cheers

hi there. you must be a resident of alberta to get alberta helth care.

I checked into it for you. you must 1)Be phisically present in alberta for 183 days in a 12 month period 2)make you perminent home in alberta 3) not claiming resedency or obtaining benifits from another province,territory or country and you CANNOT be a tourist,transient or a visitor from another counry.
hope this helps

I've go up to Whistler Blackcombe from Seattle and have always bought travel(health) insurance. I've only needed it once but it's worth the money if something goes wrong. I don't think you can go to any country and get health care for free if your not a resident.