Healthcare in Canada

[immig_IT_guy]

Hi All,

I have been seeing posts of huge waiting lines for healthcare in Canada. How bad is it?
I'm planning to migrate to Canada next year.
Along with Good future for my family/ education, healthcare is also an important factor for me to consider Canada.
I'm planning to migrate to AB,
For a typical health-check up, How many days does it take?
For minor ailments?
And something such as emergency?

Please let me know

Thanks in Advance

 

[Leon]

The health care waiting lists are mainly if you need an appointment / surgery that is not considered to be an emergency. If you have a real emergency, you go to the ER. If it is busy, you may have to wait in line behind other people who have bigger problems but you will be seen.

 

[kriv]

Hi All,

I have been seeing posts of huge waiting lines for healthcare in Canada. How bad is it?
I'm planning to migrate to Canada next year.
Along with Good future for my family/ education, healthcare is also an important factor for me to consider Canada.
I'm planning to migrate to AB,
For a typical health-check up, How many days does it take?
For minor ailments?
And something such as emergency?

Please let me know

Thanks in Advance

Normal doctor visit: (if you are in a Non emergency condition)
family doctor= average time (same day or next day)
Lab tests (xray, blood test etc) = average time (same day or next day)
Specialist= depending on the doctor's schedule (average time is 2,3 days to 2,3 weeks)
Emergency:
almost instant. average wait time (within minutes to hours depending on your emergency).
Operations/Procedures:
Again depends on your condition (can vary from 1 week to several weeks)

Above information is based on my personal experiences.

 

[immig_IT_guy]

Normal doctor visit: (if you are in a Non emergency condition)
family doctor= average time (same day or next day)
Lab tests (xray, blood test etc) = average time (same day or next day)
Specialist= depending on the doctor's schedule (average time is 2,3 days to 2,3 weeks)
Emergency:
almost instant. average wait time (within minutes to hours depending on your emergency).
Operations/Procedures:
Again depends on your condition (can vary from 1 week to several weeks)

Above information is based on my personal experiences.

The health care waiting lists are mainly if you need an appointment / surgery that is not considered to be an emergency. If you have a real emergency, you go to the ER. If it is busy, you may have to wait in line behind other people who have bigger problems but you will be seen.

Thanks guys and +1 to both of you,
Thanks for giving me insight about Canadian Health care...
Well looks like I was given a very negative outlook about Canadian Health care

 

[polara69]

I come from Europe, I have seen top notch healthcare there and I tell you the healthcare here in BC is fantastic..All my needs are attended to in a reasonable time at no cost (except my monthly contribution). No complaints here!

 

[madam-m]

Well, in my opinion the healthcare here in Canada is far away from Healthcare in Europe.

First, it is very long waiting list for GP,couple a months. So many people to avoid that go to emergency even for little things,and then emergency is in blockage. They tell you very little information,it is fakely for free,because if you dont want to wait you go to private and pay.
I am talking from mine experience,i try to schedule gynecology in November,they schedule me for April,although I told I cant wait that long,and it is not so emergent for emergency.So what I should do,to go in private and pay 200$ and plus ultrasound (+150$). What I should do in meantime?

System is closed,protective for itself. And I see people here get used on that,everybody accept it,nobody complains. Well,probably I ll be like that soon.
Anyways,all check ups,and really exams I ll do of course when I go to my country, like all immigrants.

 

[Leon]

In many countries in Europe, you have the same problems. Hard to find a GP, waiting lists for specialists and surgeries etc. It's not perfect but it all depends on how much you spend on it. If you want perfect health care, it will of course be more expensive.

As for going back to your country to get health care, you should check how long you are still covered. Most countries will cut your coverage at some point after you've moved to another country.

 

[dmac11]

Hi Guys,

Would like to know that when we land as PR in Calgary (intended destination). When we have obtain our health card, i understand that we are covered for all the expenses that we may have in going to clinics and hospitals from minor to major emergencies including any kind of surgeries. I also understand that if the time comes to give birth, this is covered as well. Only things i know that are not covered are the prescription drugs, dental and eye exams..

I just would like to know that all these covered by the government, without us paying any cost coming out of our pockets? I just find it too good, since i don't see this in any country quite often not to mention in my homeland as well.. Are there any monthly subscription pay outs that is required from us for these healthcare benefits?

Could you guys give some more details or any links i can read to gain more knowledge..

Thanks in advance..

 

[kriv]

Hi Guys,

Would like to know that when we land as PR in Calgary (intended destination). When we have obtain our health card, i understand that we are covered for all the expenses that we may have in going to clinics and hospitals from minor to major emergencies including any kind of surgeries. I also understand that if the time comes to give birth, this is covered as well. Only things i know that are not covered are the prescription drugs, dental and eye exams..

I just would like to know that all these covered by the government, without us paying any cost coming out of our pockets? I just find it too good, since i don't see this in any country quite often not to mention in my homeland as well.. Are there any monthly subscription pay outs that is required from us for these healthcare benefits?

Could you guys give some more details or any links i can read to gain more knowledge..

Thanks in advance..

No there are not monthly subscriptions or any payouts that is required for Alberta Health Card. You are covered for all visits to clinics and hospitals for both emergency or routine checkups including the LAB stuff (xray, blood test..etc etc). and yes true its covered by the government, without you paying any cost coming out of your pocket.
Yes prescription drugs (provided outside hospitals, auxiliary hospitals and nursing home), dental and eye exams are not covered BUT there still are other government programs for eligible families which covers drugs, eye exam and dental needs (e.g Alberta Adult health benefits, Child Health benefits etc )

More information about alberta health care: http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html
Whats is covered: http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/what-is-covered.html
Other health benifts (drugs, eye, dental etc) : http://humanservices.alberta.ca/financial-support/2073.html

 

[dmac11]

No there are not monthly subscriptions or any payouts that is required for Alberta Health Card. You are covered for all visits to clinics and hospitals for both emergency or routine checkups including the LAB stuff (xray, blood test..etc etc). and yes true its covered by the government, without you paying any cost coming out of your pocket.
Yes prescription drugs (provided outside hospitals, auxiliary hospitals and nursing home), dental and eye exams are not covered BUT there still are other government programs for eligible families which covers drugs, eye exam and dental needs (e.g Alberta Adult health benefits, Child Health benefits etc )

More information about alberta health care: http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html
Whats is covered: http://www.health.alberta.ca/AHCIP/what-is-covered.html
Other health benifts (drugs, eye, dental etc) : http://humanservices.alberta.ca/financial-support/2073.html

Wow.. Thanks sir/ma'am for your valuable information shared and for the links as well.. God bless you

These clears things doubting my mind.. ;D

 

[anne_88]

Hi Guys,

I'm supposed to be heading over in May but really struggling with health insurance. I have a pre-existing medical condition that requires check ups every two months and prescription medication. All health insurance companies are saying no to the prescription drugs and none emergency doctors appointments, are there any companies that say yes?

Oooor if not, how would I arrange doctors appointments and prescription meds? And how out of pocket is this gonna be?

Someone help! ???

 

[Leon]

Hi Guys,

I'm supposed to be heading over in May but really struggling with health insurance. I have a pre-existing medical condition that requires check ups every two months and prescription medication. All health insurance companies are saying no to the prescription drugs and none emergency doctors appointments, are there any companies that say yes?

Oooor if not, how would I arrange doctors appointments and prescription meds? And how out of pocket is this gonna be?

Someone help! ???

Health care in Canada generally doesn't pay prescription meds anyway but there is a price roof so the pharmacists can't just charge as much as they want. They make enough money already anyway. You can get supplementary insurance to cover your prescriptions and dental but it will not be instant. Many employers offer such a group plan as a part of their benefits package.

As for the doctor, go to a walk in clinic, say you don't have health care and you will pay for your visit or look for a free clinic if you prefer. In Ontario, you can find some free clinics for immigrants who don't have health care yet. This is only the case if you move to a province that has a waiting time for health care such as BC, ON or QC. If you settle in a province with first day health care, you won't have this issue.

 

[anne_88]

Health care in Canada generally doesn't pay prescription meds anyway but there is a price roof so the pharmacists can't just charge as much as they want. They make enough money already anyway. You can get supplementary insurance to cover your prescriptions and dental but it will not be instant. Many employers offer such a group plan as a part of their benefits package.

As for the doctor, go to a walk in clinic, say you don't have health care and you will pay for your visit or look for a free clinic if you prefer. In Ontario, you can find some free clinics for immigrants who don't have health care yet. This is only the case if you move to a province that has a waiting time for health care such as BC, ON or QC. If you settle in a province with first day health care, you won't have this issue.

This is great help Leon, thank you. So would you advise my best opportunity is to purchase basic health insurance now and arrange with the doctors and prescription side when I settle in BC or when I am employed?

 

[Leon]

This is great help Leon, thank you. So would you advise my best opportunity is to purchase basic health insurance now and arrange with the doctors and prescription side when I settle in BC or when I am employed?

Get travel / emergency insurance in case you have an emergency during the waiting period. Depending on when you move to BC, you may have 2-3 month wait for health care, 2 months plus a balance of the 3rd so if you arrive in BC end of April, you would only have to wait May and June and would have coverage on July 1st but if you move sometime in May, you would have to wait May, June and July and would have coverage on August 1st.

You are allowed to bring up to 3 months supply of prescription medication to Canada along with you.

You can sign up for your own supplementary insurance to get coverage for dental and prescriptions but since most employers offer a group plan, you may want to wait until you get a job. In most cases, you would have to wait 3 months after getting on a group plan before you get coverage.