This is a short guide to support patients who are not Canadian Residents and have no insurance coverage, who are interested in more information about giving birth at Grand River Hospital.
What is an "uninsured patient"?
An uninsured person is someone who does not have Ontario Insurance Plan (OHIP) and has no private insurance, such as supplemental insurance offered by a school or place of work.
What is the definition of a Canadian Resident?
If you are unsure of your status in Canada, visit Determining Your Residency Status at www.Canada.ca to learn more.
What does this mean for you?
You will receive the same high quality care that we provide all patients at Grand River Hospital.
If you are uninsured and not a Canadian resident, you will be required to make a deposit to cover your healthcare expenses before giving birth.
What if I have an emergency when I am in Canada?
Emergency care will be administered to all individuals regardless of ability to pay. You will be invoiced for emergency care.
What fees will I have to pay?
You will pay a deposit of $10,000 for labour and childbirth. This deposit is applied towards your needs at the hospital. For example, support during labour and delivery, lab tests, medications, the room you stay in and care for your new baby. All physician fees billed separately - obstetrician (pregnancy doctor) or anesthesiologist (pain medication physician - for C-section or epidural). Some require a deposit and some invoice separately.
To access prenatal care, you will be required to pay a deposit to the Physician.
Mom and baby are separate patients and, therefore, will incur fees separately.
How much are the deposits?
Labour and childbirth deposit is $10,000.
Will my total fees be more than the deposit?
This depends on the care you need. If you need to stay in the hospital for longer, or your infant needs a visit in the NICU, it's possible that care will cost more.
You'll get a statement of account at the end of your stay - Unused deposit amounts are refunded to you.
Funds that exceed the deposit can be paid to the Hospital.
How do I pay?
Payment will be accepted in person at our patient accounts office, online with your bank, through regular mail and via telephone personal banking through your bank.
Visit How to Pay your Bill to learn more about your payment options.
How do I arrange to give birth at GRH?
Visit a Kitchener-Waterloo walk-in clinic or Community Health Centre. They will refer you to the GRH Obstetric Roster program.
Make an appointment at GRH to arrange payment of the deposits.
Does the hospital provide prenatal care?
Once you have paid the Grand River Hospital fee and the obstetrician's deposit (a separate fee directly to the doctor), you will be assigned an obstetrician on the Grand River Hospital Roster. All fees will be discussed at your hospital appointment.
How do I get a copy of my health record?
Click here for more information about accessing your health record at Grand River Hospital