Moving from Canada to Florida - Need Advise

[Crabbyapple]

Hi

I'm thinking of moving to Florida (if possible) from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Our economy and housing market is sizzling right now. My home purchased in '99 for $130,000.00 is worth about $450,000.00.
I'm starting to really detest winter here as well. -30 F just isn't fun
Presently, all my supplies (meds, leg bags, supps, catheters etc) are all paid for. My w/c is supplied and maintained for free.
I have a w/c lift in my garage which is supplied and maintained for free.
Homecare does 3 visits/day (up in the morning 1hr, afternoon 2hr, night 2hr). This costs $700.00/month.
When I see my doctor for flu bug, bladder infect etc, everything is free. If I have to stay in hospital, get xrays etc everything is free.

Now, is there anything comparable for me in Florida ?
Can a C4-5 quad get health insurance ? Is it expensive ?
Is public or state operated hospitals and/or medi-clinics really low budget ? I've heard a lot of horror stories about US healthcare.
Are there any subsidized programs that pay for most costs associated
with personal care products ?
Is there such a thing as "Homecare" and is it subsidized ?
Are there any programs that provide funding for caregiver costs ?
Are any of these available for a foreigner ?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. At this time I don't know if I can even become a citizen. I may be dreaming at this notion.

Thanks.........Paul

[NorthQuad]

This is no bash to my friends south of the border... but as a C5 quad myself, I would never leave Canada.

[SoFla]

I have many Canadian neighbors. We call them snowbirds. They return to Canada for their healthcare.

All the needs you are asking for is not available here without costly healthcare insurance, and you would have to qualify. Sorry, with your pre-exisiting condition, that is not likely.

[SCI-Nurse]

Are you employed? Are you a professional with an in-demand set of skills? It is extremely unlikely that you would get a permanent resident visa with a significant disability such as tetraplegia without that. If you come on a non-resident visa, you are not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and private insurance is very expensive and hard to find unless you can get it through an employer on a group plan. On a non-resident visa you would only be allowed to stay for a short period of time. Non-student, non-resident visas are often limited to 6 months.

Considering the health care and support services you have available in Canada, I would not consider moving or trying to immigrate. You would have to private pay for much of what you get now, even if you were a USA citizen. Have you thought about moving to a more temperate part of Canada like Vancouver?

(KLD)

[ancientgimp]

You are lucky to be living in a country that actually cares for its citizens. It makes way more sense for you to become a snowbird. You could access a low cost winter living situation in Fla. in one of the many manufactured home communities, consider a used unit and modifying it to make it accessible. Watch out for the monthly expenses for the community. Maintain your home in Canada, summer in Fla is about unbearable anyway. You can access your healthcare and supplies through the Canadian system.

[Crabbyapple]

Wow

Sounds pretty discouraging.
Are public hospitals and/or clinics that bad ?
For example, if I had bad flu bug and went to see a doc for some antibiotics, what would this cost ?
Is it free through public or state hospitals ?
As far as living there, couldn't a guy just hire p/t workers ?
What is min wage in Florida ?
How about Mexican or Cuban care staff ? I deal with a lot of Phillipinos and they are dependable wokers.
If the heat is unbearable, why are there so many people there ?
I'm a C4-5 quad. Not employable. However, I do own my own small meat market ( www.summitmeats.com (http://www.summitmeats.com) ) and have a few staff members. I was in the meat industry for 10 yrs previous to my mva in 1992.
What is the work sitsuation there ? Lots of jobs available or not ?
I'm going to see about dual citizenship come Monday.

Thanks guys...........Paul

[LaMemChose]

Paul, stay where you are. You risk the healthcare you have.

If there is a way, spend winters in Florida as a tourist so you can keep your healthcare and assistance in Canada. I have no idea what happens if you become ill while in the US.

You might also consider winter visits to Cuba. I know a Canadian who's a para and sometimes travels there for his sun and warmth. We, as American citizens, are not allowed to travel to Cuba, but you can. I'm told it's less expensive than vacays in Florida.

You'll be out of luck and the healthcare you need if you find a way to move here legally.

Best to you on looking for a place where you are warmer.

[SoFla]

Hospitals and clinics are not bad, just costly. I have insurance, so I can't tell you costs. Nothing is free, even at government owned hospitals. They are required to stabilize patients, but that is all. Then the bill collectors will start calling.

You could hire your own staff, and there is an abundance of Hispanics around here. Just make sure they are legal, and you keep it legal, too, by paying their taxes.

It is summer now, and damn HOT! I only go out in the morning or after sunset. This black chair gets really toasty in the sun! I become a sweaty mess just loading my chair in and out of the car. But it will be winter soon, and I won't have to deal with snow or ice.

I fully understand why you want to live here. It is a good time to house hunt, too. Plenty homes available. Folks left in droves after the hurricane seasons of 2004 & 5, and now there are plenty of foreclosures on the market.

What part of Florida are you thinking about?

[Princess "Leia"]

Cabbyapple,

Do not be discouraged. Why not try an extended stay first? Rent a condo, say for the season to see if you like the lifestyle or area of interest. There are tons avaible down here for short term rent. I know many who do just this.

As far as the heat, in FL everything has AC which makes it comfortable. Also there are parts of FL that are hotter/humid than others, inland for sure. I actually find the hot, humid summers of the north east far worse.

Healthcare is a big issue were ever you decide to go. Even if you choose to go it 6 months of the year you still will need a reliable MD and hospital for things that crop up. We do not have socialized medicine as you know but there are private walk-in clinics for a price, last I heard about 50 bucs.
.
There are plenty of houses to be had a good prices too due to the current slump in the market. You may want to look into condo lifestyle if you go the 6 month route, that way maintainence is taken care of while your in Canada.

As you can may have guessed, I am a Florida gal through and through, right down to my tan lines and sandles. I hear ya too about the winters, I left the NE years ago because of this very reason. Too much cold, too much snow and I hated it. Winter in Florida is wonferful, come down for a winter and give it a shot. Ya won't be sorry. ;)

Edited to say, Paul I posted the thread link in the Florida Chapter forum for better visibility.

Leia

[SCI-Nurse]

There are no free or public clinics that don't require payment, either cash or an insurance that is valid in the USA. It is not an issue of quality...it is an issue of $$$$. Those who get their care at county hospitals still have to pay, and still have to have Medicaid or Medicare to pay for their care. They have to apply for this, and must have a very low income and virtually no assets to get Medicaid, and be either disabled or elderly to get Medicare, and even then still have to pay premiums for their coverage.

We have a significant number of employed poor who are totally uninsured...they have a job that offers no insurance (yes, this is legal in the USA) and they cannot afford to purchase insurance on their own. When they get sick, they either go without care until deathly ill, or they go into bankrupcy with private payment. Yes, an emergency room has to see you if you are emergently ill, but they do not have to admit you or provide you with prescriptions and non-emergent care is often denied. The first thing you are asked when making an appointment with a provider or clinic is what is your insurance or payment plan.

Of course you can private pay for attendants if you have that kind of money, but if you do, you won't qualify for Medicaid even if you get citizenship and will have to private pay for all the rest of your care as well. Federal minimum wage is $7.55/hour, but I don't know many PCAs who will take just that, esp. since you would not be offering any benefits (such as health insurance). In my area, private pay PCAs make from $12-18/hour. Yes, you can hire illegal immigrants, but when they get picked up by the INS they will not show up for work, and often just don't show. The risks of getting ripped off or worse by attendants is always something you have to be concerned about as well.

It is an abomination, but one that USA citizens live with daily.

Have you seen "Sicko"? If not, get it and watch it.

How would you qualify for dual citizenship??

Why are you unemployeable? What skills do you have as a business person. If you have a desirable skill, you would have to get a USA job first and then your USA employer would have to sponsor you for a work permit. When they do so, they have to guarantee that you will not apply for Medicaid or Medicare or for any other government benefits such as SSI or SSDI or general relief (the dole).

(KLD)

[canuck]

You could also move to the South Okanagan that would put you out of the snow belt.

[Crabbyapple]

Still sounds bleak for me.

How do all of you disabled folks survive ? Do most of you live independently or in some type of care home ?
What does insurance cost all of you ? $200/month, $500/month, $1000 or more ?
Couldn't I find decent, legal care staff for $10/hour ?
So basically if a guy has some cash, he cannot apply for medicade and as a foreigner with a disability I'm probably shit out of luck to receive health insurance correct ?
What if the wife found work down there, would she receive health benefits and does that cover spouse and family?
Do most middle class jobs have health benefits ?

Thanks......Paul

[SoFla]

Our health care insurance is about $1200/month, paid for by Mr. SoFla's business.

No, most middle class jobs do not provide health care benefits.

You cannot collect from medicade or medicare if you have not contributed. As an example, I am not eligible to collect disability because I missed paying for a few quarters due to an injury that kept me from working and gaining an income a few years before my SCI. Go figure??? It ain't easy!

[Geoffrey]

I have had some of the same thoughts as you. I live in Calgary, have a nice home but I really don't like the winters. I looked into a lot of things but I have decided that in a few years I will retire. Move to a condo in the lower mainland (Vancouver) or in Penticton. With the extra money buy a town home or condo in the Tucson area. (I used to spend a lot of my spare time in Arizona). Then just go between the two of them. I already have a doctor lined up down there so that will not be an issue.
Having to pay for things might be however. Just will not get sick in the Winter time.

G

[SoFla]

You snowbirds have me thinking. If I wanted to go north for the summers, what sort of healthcare can I expect from Canada?

[SCI-Nurse]

Still sounds bleak for me. And for most people with disabilities in this country.

How do all of you disabled folks survive ? Do most of you live independently or in some type of care home ? What does insurance cost all of you ? $200/month, $500/month, $1000 or more?

If you worked at least 40 quarters (ie, 10 years) and paid into Social Security during that time, you MAY be eligible for SSDI, which might pay you around $1200/month if you are lucky (depending on your income when employed), but you have to be unemployed and deemed unemployable by SS to get this, and you must wait at least 6 months post injury. Once you get this, you are also eligible to apply for Medicare (federal program) but must wait until you have been on SSDI 24 months to get this, AND you must pay a monthly premium for Medicare Parts A, B and D (only A is mandatory). If you did not work or don't have enough SS quarters, you may be only eligible for SSI which is essentially welfare, and might get $600-800/month.

If you have less than $2000 in assets (for the family, not just the individual) and only own one car and a house, you may also be able to apply for Medicaid, which is a state program only available to those who are very low income. If eligible for this, Medicaid will pay your Medicare premiums, at least for Part A (depending on the state).

If you are "lucky" and were injured on the job, or due to malpractice or an your injury was caused by someone else and you were able to successfully sue them (3-5 year process) you may have received a settlement or trust that is supposed to pay for your care for the rest of your life. You have to pay Medicaid back out of this if you were on it, and once you have it, you are no longer eligible for Medicaid.

If you are a US military veteran in good standing, or active duty military injured in the line of duty, then you are eligible for VA healthcare, and perhaps a pension, depending on the circumstances and timing of your injury, and your income (if non-service connected).

If you are employed and the employer has a group plan for health insurance, you can usually get coverage for yourself and your family for costs of from $100-500/month, depending on the plan. Of course if you loose your job, although you can private purchase the insurance under COBRA for up to two years, after that if you don't get another job, you loose your insurance. Purchasing privately is very difficult as most private non-group plans do not cover pre-existing conditions such as a SCI. This applies to both people who are working after their injury or who were working at the time of their injury.

A very few people had the foresight to purchase private disability insurance prior to their injury, and this may give them an income sufficient to live on and purchase insurance or supplement their Medicare once they are eligible for that (again, 24 months).

Medicare rarely pays for nursing home care, so you generally have to private pay for this until you have run through all your and your family's resources and can then apply for Medicaid. Not all nursing homes take Medicaid patients as it does not pay very well (daily rate). Again, if you had the foresight to purchase long term care insurance when you were healthy, this may provide some coverage for either home care or nursing home care.

Couldn't I find decent, legal care staff for $10/hour? Unlikely, esp. with the rising cost of gas, unless you are willing to reimburse for travel, and even then in my area it is difficult to recruit for that amount. These would be unskilled people off the street who you would have to train and supervise yourself, not from an agency.

So basically if a guy has some cash, he cannot apply for medicade and as a foreigner with a disability I'm probably shit out of luck to receive health insurance correct ?
Yes. For many people in the USA, becoming disabled also means becoming poor.

What if the wife found work down there, would she receive health benefits and does that cover spouse and family? Depends on the job, the employer, and how much she would have to pay to cover you and other family members. Most insurers do not provide family insurance except if a premium is paid. The same questions about in-demand work skills would apply to your wife as without those and a employer sponsor, she could not get a non-resident work permit (Green Card) and thus could not be employed.

Do most middle class jobs have health benefits? Most, but not all, and you do have to generally work for a large employer and work full-time. Many part-time jobs or small employers (under 50 employees for example) do not offer health insurance.

You are much better off staying in Canada, or visiting as a tourist in the USA for 3-4 months a years and returning to Canada for any hospitalizations or expensive care.

(KLD)

[lynnifer]

You snowbirds have me thinking. If I wanted to go north for the summers, what sort of healthcare can I expect from Canada?

You would have to have a healthcard. If not, I think a clinic visit would cost you $50 just to see the doctor. Then add on any prescriptions and dispensing fees.

Although if you're in emerge, you're treated first but would be expected to pay later (as if we could find you).

[nicci65]

Crabby, I have a suggestion... if you must leave Canada, and move south...go to North Carolina... it doesn't get as humid and not as much snow to deal with in the winter. They have the best auto and homeowner's insurance premiums in the whole nation. (Florida is high risk for storms, so rates are high).

It costs too much to live in FL now.

[tdirt]

Better check the hurricane strike rates in the carolinas first !

[wheelchairTITAN]

You will be lucky to get a six month out of country insurance policy from a Canadian insurer which you must have because your provincial medical insurance only pays a percentage of what any procedure costs in the US.

I worked for a corporation and was in the US for a year (on several occasions) and cut my finger. The bill was nearly $5000 for two stitches and an hour of care to got me in and out of emerg. They charge for gauze pads and band aids, Tylenol and everything else ... including NEEDLESS tests we would never get done here all for a cut thumb ? ? ? well you get the picture.

Unless you have multiple millions forget moving there because you can't afford it.

Most of the US citizens Americans can't afford the real health care costs now and when they get really ill or injured they get dumped quickly by their insurers.

[Sh0rty]

You will be lucky to get a six month out of country insurance policy from a Canadian insurer which you must have because your provincial medical insurance only pays a percentage of what any procedure costs in the US.

why lucky? What do all the old snowbirds do?

I would love to move to the states but healthcare is for sure what keeps me here. I thought when I retire I will do the snowbird thing, but even then I am not sure if it is worth all the american BS

[canuck]

Shorty its called "pre exisitng condition" if those old snowbirds are healthy insurance isn't too bad, If you have a pre existing condition like a sci the rates for travel insurance shoot up through the roof.

[lynnifer]

Canuck is absolutely right. In fact, the word 'paralysis' excludes you right off the bat.

[canuck]

I've been able to get travel insurance for trips to states but all of them have been short vacation type trips, two weeks or less.

[cypresss]

Maybe some countries in Europe have friendly medical system for you. Talk with guys from UK, Spain, Italy, France, German etc from this forum.

Distances in Europe are not so big, and once your citizen on any UE country, in emergency case, you are treated and costs are payed by your assurance country system.

[orangejello]

.............

[Crabbyapple]

Hi

Thanks folks, for all your input.
I was looking to move to that Tampa area. How is the job economy there ? People looking for work ?
In Canada there are a lot of Philipino immigrants who come here specifically on a caregiver program and they have to work for 2 years, so a lot work as live-in caregivers. Anything similiar in the US ?
You can hire competent ones for $2000/month.
I'm still waiting for reply from a couple insurance co's.
The housing market in Florida is in a huge slump. There is sooo much to choose from and at great prices.

Thanks.......Paul

[SCI-Nurse]

Well, don't say you were'nt warned. I guess you really have already made up your mind and really did not want advice.

(KLD)

[Crabbyapple]

KLD

Nothing in my last post says anything about moving. If you read it, I simply stated where I would like to go.
Without insurance I'll have to settle for winters in a warmer climate.
We do have beautiful summers here. I guess what really attracts me besides weather is the real estate in Florida.
Thanks again everyone.

Paul

[Lorrie]

You snowbirds have me thinking. If I wanted to go north for the summers, what sort of healthcare can I expect from Canada?

Good question. Let's go further and ask the initial question only from a Floridian standpoint to a Canadian.

If a disabled USA'ian wants to move to Canada, can we get all the free bennies?

[Crabbyapple]

Hi

Good point Lorrie. I'll ask that question when I inquire about insurance as a snow bird with my insurance company up here. With my condition, I may be denied by insurance up here which would really piss me off !
Another problem brought to my attention by an immigration lawyer yesterday is that there are only 3 ways to become a legal US citizen.

- sponsorship by family member or spouse who live in the US
- sponsorship by an employer from the US
- starting or investing in a business. Minimum investment of $100,000.00 and you have to be majority owner with at least 2 or 3 employees.


Later......Paul

[rdf]

KLD - Hawaii requires every employer (even if only one employee) to provide health insurance to its employees who work at least 20 hours a week, and pay at least 50% of the premiums, unless the employee premium is more than 1.5% of wages. If it exceeds 1.5%, he pays the lesser amount of 1.5% and we pay the rest.

I've just recently discovered this while setting up our business in that state. We also will need to provide non-work related disability insurance for 3 months after disability, per the laws in Hawaii, on top of the standard workers' compensation insurance for on-the-job injuries.

Hawaii seems to have stepped ahead of the mainland where health insurance is concerned.

Source (http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:dsdZ0X6kkesJ:healthcoveragehawaii.o rg/pdf/PrepaidHealthCareAct.pdf+employer+health+insurance +laws+in+hawaii&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=8&gl=us&client=firefox-a)
Formula for Payment of Premium. Hawaii employers may cover the full cost of the health
insurance premium, or share the cost with their employees. Based on a fixed formula, the law
requires employers to contribute 50 percent of the premium cost for single coverage, and the
employee must contribute the balance, as long as the employee’s share does not exceed 1.5
percent of his or her wages.
- more –
Page 2
A person who works 40 hours per week at a salary of $10 per hour would earn $1,733 per
month. If the cost of insurance (single coverage) is $150 per month, half that amount is $75, and
1.5 percent of the worker’s salary is $26. As stipulated by the Act, the worker would pay the
lesser of the two amounts ($26) and the employer pays the rest ($124).

[SoFla]

Hi

Good point Lorrie. I'll ask that question when I inquire about insurance as a snow bird with my insurance company up here. With my condition, I may be denied by insurance up here which would really piss me off !
Another problem brought to my attention by an immigration lawyer yesterday is that there are only 3 ways to become a legal US citizen.

- sponsorship by family member or spouse who live in the US
- sponsorship by an employer from the US
- starting or investing in a business. Minimum investment of $100,000.00 and you have to be majority owner with at least 2 or 3 employees.


Later......Paul
Have you considered The Bahamas? As a Commonwealth country it might be easier to immigrate. I know several Canadians living in The Bahamas, but they do return to Canada for annual health care, as The Bahamas is limited in that area.