I am not sure about it being the best way but in my case it worked out.
It worked out in your case but you could have also been fined or a doctor could refused to see you if you didn’t pay MSP. As I already stated it is very dependent on the province. BC has one of the most developed and liberal HIV treatment policies because of the downtown east side. That is not the case in many other provinces. Access to treatment and healthcare also varies greatly between the provinces.
What do you mean by free? Visiting a doctor? BC is not free. You pay a monthly premium for medical care but that doesn’t include prescription drugs.
Hi there!
None of the centres/networks you mentioned have to do with medical care and prescription drug coverage.
You are correct. The centers and networks that I mentioned do not provide medical care or prescription drug coverage. However, they can provide you with information about the programs and services that are available in your province.
The only big issue is that the cost of living is also extremely high there so whether you can afford to live in BC should be your primary consideration. As an international up student you can ship your HIV medication from your home country to Canada if you would like and you can bring a 3 month supply with you on the plane. If you attend a school in Ontario you will be required to purchase health insurance for international students that that comes with a plan the cover prescriptions. You will need to look at exact details of the plan.
You are right, the cost of living in BC is quite high. It is also important to note that the cost of living in Ontario is also high. However, the cost of living in Ontario may be more affordable than the cost of living in BC, depending on your specific circumstances.
FYI - Most Canadians pay out of pocket for prescription medication unless they have private insurance through their employer.
That is correct. While Canada has a universal healthcare system that covers medically necessary hospital and physician services, prescription drugs are not covered under this system. Instead, prescription drug coverage is provided through a patchwork of public and private insurance plans.
Healthcare is run provincially so it is important to look at each province. Many international students don’t seem to be research the cost of living in cities they are considering, the availability of housing since some small towns that are now trying to attract international students were mostly servicing the local community so there isn’t tons of student rental housing available and the ability to secure a job is the other big factor (smaller towns don’t have a ton of housing extra jobs available for all students wanting to work). Most universities have an extended health benefit plan that also includes a drug plan that you pay into as a student.
