David Chapman will now be able to return home to continue his recovery. (CBC)

A sick Chilliwack man, who has spent the past two years in a California hospital, is being allowed to return home to continue his rehabilitation, even though he is technically not eligible for provincial medical coverage.

B.C. Health Minister George Abbott made the decision one day after the CBC aired a report on David Chapman's situation. On Wednesday, a ministry official called the Chapman family with the good news.

Abbott told CBC News his ministry is now working with the family and regional health authorities to find Chapman a bed in the right rehabilitation centre so he can return home as soon as possible.

But the minister said that doesn't mean the rule requiring people to live in B.C. for three months before becoming eligible for provincial medical coverage has been changed.

Health Minister George Abbott called the Chapman family after the CBC story aired Wednesday to say their son can return home. (CBC)

The 49-year-old Chapman suffered a massive brain hemorrhage almost two years ago while visiting his children in California. He didn't have out-of-country medical insurance when he had the stroke, but the State of California agreed to cover the costs of his stay in a local hospital, including the expensive rehabilitation treatment.

His family said Chapman's B.C. medical coverage — under the provincial Medical Services Plan — expired while he was recovering south of the border.

When he became well enough to return to B.C. to continue his recovery closer to home, the provincial government refused to reinstate his coverage, saying he had to be in the province for three months before he would be eligible, the family said.

That requirement made Chapman's return impossible since he needed immediate medical care.

With files from Kathy Tomlinson