Getting Pediatrician for New Born moving from US

[ryeCatcher]

Hello friends, I am a PR holder living in Vancouver, my wife (also is PR) and I are expecting but she is in the US and plans to deliver there.

I wanted to understand how I can bring our baby here and find a pediatrician here in Vacouver/Surrey area?
Based on reading online :

1. Child can come to Canada both land and flight with just birth certificate?
2. We can only begin PR sponsorship process after the child is in Canada, is that correct?


I don't have a primary care doctor here in BC, how should I go about finding a pediatrician and getting insurance MSP coverage for the baby once we return to BC? Would appreciate any help, TIA

 

[YVR123]

Hello friends, I am a PR holder living in Vancouver, my wife (also is PR) and I are expecting but she is in the US and plans to deliver there.

I wanted to understand how I can bring our baby here and find a pediatrician here in Vacouver/Surrey area?
Based on reading online :

1. Child can come to Canada both land and flight with just birth certificate?
2. We can only begin PR sponsorship process after the child is in Canada, is that correct?


I don't have a primary care doctor here in BC, how should I go about finding a pediatrician and getting insurance MSP coverage for the baby once we return to BC? Would appreciate any help, TIA

1. No. The child need a passport (likely US passport if he's born there.. but I have no idea if US grant citizenship to child born there)
2. No. You can apply outland as long as you (as sponsor) stay and live in Canada. (dependent sponsorship is "outland" regardless of where it's filed)

Your child will not have PR until the sponsorship application is approved. Child will not have MSP yet. But child may get it after certain proof of the sponsorship application.
As you live in BC, you probably know that you need to visit a doctor (either a family dr or a walk in clinic) in order to be referred to a specialist, e.g. pediatrician.

 

[ryeCatcher]

1. No. The child need a passport (likely US passport if he's born there.. but I have no idea if US grant citizenship to child born there)
2. No. You can apply outland as long as you (as sponsor) stay and live in Canada. (dependent sponsorship is "outland" regardless of where it's filed)

Your child will not have PR until the sponsorship application is approved. Child will not have MSP yet. But child may get it after certain proof of the sponsorship application.
As you live in BC, you probably know that you need to visit a doctor (either a family dr or a walk in clinic) in order to be referred to a specialist, e.g. pediatrician.

Yes US has birth right citizenship. It seems based on reading online at least land border birth certificate is enough and passport is not needed:

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/does-a-minor-need-a-passport-to-enter-canada-and-return-to-the-us.html#:~:text=Minors traveling to Cananda,custodial parent (if applicable).
https://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/11rg72h
For air I am not sure but I guess I can call AirCanada and confirm.

I am very worried about getting access to pediatrician the insurance can wait. I have never seen a doctor here in BC so no idea how it works
Will I have to first take the baby to a walk in clinic and then they will refer to pediatrician? I cannot establish care with a pediatrician without that process? Will there be a long wait even for seeing the pediatrician?

 

[Naturgrl]

Yes US has birth right citizenship. It seems based on reading online at least land border birth certificate is enough and passport is not needed:

https://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/does-a-minor-need-a-passport-to-enter-canada-and-return-to-the-us.html#:~:text=Minors traveling to Cananda,custodial parent (if applicable).
https://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/11rg72h
For air I am not sure but I guess I can call AirCanada and confirm.

I am very worried about getting access to pediatrician the insurance can wait. I have never seen a doctor here in BC so no idea how it works
Will I have to first take the baby to a walk in clinic and then they will refer to pediatrician? I cannot establish care with a pediatrician without that process? Will there be a long wait even for seeing the pediatrician?

Most children don’t see a paediatricians in Canada since they are specialists. They go to their family doctor. Why does your child need a paediatrician? You need to get a family doctor. A walk in doctor may not even refer you to one.

 

[ryeCatcher]

Most children don’t see a paediatricians in Canada since they are specialists. They go to their family doctor. Why does your child need a paediatrician? You need to get a family doctor. A walk in doctor may not even refer you to one.

Are you sure this is the case in BC? I only have data point of one friend who is expecting and her family doctor has told her that he will refer to pediatrician for regular checkups etc

 

[Naturgrl]

Are you sure this is the case in BC? I only have data point of one friend who is expecting and her family doctor has told her that he will refer to pediatrician for regular checkups etc

Ok. Will depend on your family doctor if you are referred. Some family doctors will see children. I am in Ontario and I don’t know anyone whose children go to a paediatrician as they are specialists. And my friend is a paediatrician. All families just go to their family doctor and are referred to a specialist if needed.

Check MSP about when your child is eligible for health care, and only then will you be able to get on waitlists.

 

[YVR123]

Ok. Will depend on your family doctor if you are referred. Some family doctors will see children. I am in Ontario and I don’t know anyone whose children go to a paediatrician as they are specialists. And my friend is a paediatrician. All families just go to their family doctor and are referred to a specialist if needed.

Check MSP about when your child is eligible for health care, and only then will you be able to get on waitlists.

I think it depends on your family doctor. My previous family doctor (a female doctor) had many babies and toddler patients and expecting mothers as well. I live in Vancouver.
I had the same question too. I was wondering why you already know that your child will need a specialist.

 

[YVR123]

Are you sure this is the case in BC? I only have data point of one friend who is expecting and her family doctor has told her that he will refer to pediatrician for regular checkups etc

https://www.bcpeds.ca/families/find-a-healthcare-professional/#:~:text=In British Columbia, patients need,provider about a pediatric referral.
"In British Columbia, patients need a referral from their family doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered midwife to see a pediatrician. If you feel your child has a complex or chronic condition that could be helped by a pediatrician, please speak to your primary health-care provider about a pediatric referral."

 

[steaky]

https://www.bcpeds.ca/families/find-a-healthcare-professional/#:~:text=In British Columbia, patients need,provider about a pediatric referral.
"In British Columbia, patients need a referral from their family doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered midwife to see a pediatrician. If you feel your child has a complex or chronic condition that could be helped by a pediatrician, please speak to your primary health-care provider about a pediatric referral."

But OP don't have a primary care doctor here in BC.

 

[YVR123]

But OP don't have a primary care doctor here in BC.

as I said, he needs to either find a family doctor or go to walk-in clinic.

 

[Naturgrl]

as I said, he needs to either find a family doctor or go to walk-in clinic.

Most likely, OP is not going to get a referral to a paediatrician at a walk in clinic. But child doesn’t need to see a paediatrician.

 

[canuck78]

Are you sure this is the case in BC? I only have data point of one friend who is expecting and her family doctor has told her that he will refer to pediatrician for regular checkups etc

As a family member of a paediatrician the majority no longer see healthy children. There are a few still left but in general a GP sees all family members. It is actually better if at least the mom and baby see the same GP because you get a better picture of the health of the whole family. Healthy children don’t need the specialized care of a paediatrician. Most of the care children receive is pretty basic. Lots of monitoring to make sure they are developing properly, common childhood illnesses, vaccinations, etc. Finding a GP in BC may be a minor nightmare and the baby may not be able to join a list until they have MSP. Would make sure to take out private insurance to cover any emergencies. There is also an up to 90 day wait for all of you to get MSP when you qualify

 

[ryeCatcher]

As a family member of a paediatrician the majority no longer see healthy children. There are a few still left but in general a GP sees all family members. It is actually better if at least the mom and baby see the same GP because you get a better picture of the health of the whole family. Healthy children don’t need the specialized care of a paediatrician. Most of the care children receive is pretty basic. Lots of monitoring to make sure they are developing properly, common childhood illnesses, vaccinations, etc. Finding a GP in BC may be a minor nightmare and the baby may not be able to join a list until they have MSP. Would make sure to take out private insurance to cover any emergencies. There is also an up to 90 day wait for all of you to get MSP when you qualify

Thank you this is very helpful.
My wife and I already have MSP but no GP/family-doctor. We only needed care once (got covid) and just walked in to a clinic and paid ourselves for the visit (was before we qualified for MSP).What would be the best way in your experience to find a GP

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you this is very helpful.
My wife and I already have MSP but no GP/family-doctor. We only needed care once (got covid) and just walked in to a clinic and paid ourselves for the visit (was before we qualified for MSP).What would be the best way in your experience to find a GP

Start calling around to GPS and get on their waiting lists. Register with BC Health Connect to be linked to a family doctor that is accepting patients.

 

[foodie69]

Took me 7 years to get a family doctor when living in Vancouver. Good luck