Supervisa applicant needs insulin everyday, but health insurance doesn't cover it. Any suggestions?

[keys8014]

An applicant injects insulin everyday, as prescribed by her doctor in her home country.

We are going to apply supervisa for the applicant, but when we inquired with Manulife, they said even their Enhanced plan for visitors will not provide them eligiblity to purchase and claim insulin in Canada.

What are the options?

What if the applicant wants to stay for 4 months, can she bring 4 months of insulin supply in Canada?

 

[CanGoldDigger]

An applicant injects insulin everyday, as prescribed by her doctor in her home country.

We are going to apply supervisa for the applicant, but when we inquired with Manulife, they said even their Enhanced plan for visitors will not provide them eligiblity to purchase and claim insulin in Canada.

What are the options?

What if the applicant wants to stay for 4 months, can she bring 4 months of insulin supply in Canada?

Yes, she can bring as much as she needs and more. Just have some paper from her doctor, just in case. Most likely no question would be asked at all. Just don't put it into check-in luggage, you should put into a carry-on to keep it in the cabin and prevent it from freezing.

 

[keys8014]

Yes, she can bring as much as she needs and more. Just have some paper from her doctor, just in case. Most likely no question would be asked at all. Just don't put it into check-in luggage, you should put into a carry-on to keep it in the cabin and prevent it from freezing.

How can she store this much of supply in the carry on baggage? I think insulin needs to be in cold state. Flight time will be ~22 hours, including layover

 

[CanGoldDigger]

How can she store this much of supply in the carry on baggage? I think insulin needs to be in cold state. Flight time will be ~22 hours, including layover

Carry on bags are quite big for a 4 months supply, definitely. And you can use different types of cold agents to maintain their temperature. And 22 hours is not an issue.

You can check it in but it's risky. As it can be quite cold in a cargo hold, even below zero. But modern planes usually keep the temperatures above zero definitely.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

You need also think about how to measure glucose if you use test strips. They maybe completely different from the ones she uses in her country.

But FreeStyle Libre Sensor is available at any drug store and may be covered by the insurance.

 

[canuck78]

Yes, she can bring as much as she needs and more. Just have some paper from her doctor, just in case. Most likely no question would be asked at all. Just don't put it into check-in luggage, you should put into a carry-on to keep it in the cabin and prevent it from freezing.

Incorrect she can only bring a 90 day supply with her.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-can...al-use-health-products-guidance/document.html

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Incorrect she can only bring a 90 day supply with her.
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-can...al-use-health-products-guidance/document.html

Sorry, it's correct and confirmed. Border officers are humans not machines. I have lots of examples of people crossing with a bag full of insulin without any issue with 1-2 year supplies. When people move in to Canada, they panic and bring a lot of medical supplies very often, never saw any issue with it.

 

[canuck78]

Sorry, it's correct and confirmed. Border officers are humans not machines. I have lots of examples of people crossing with a bag full of insulin without any issue with 1-2 year supplies. When people move in to Canada, they panic and bring a lot of medical supplies very often, never saw any issue with it.

It’s a risk. They could also have all but 3 months confiscated all the medication. The rules are to protect the Canadian drug industry.

 

[keys8014]

It’s a risk. They could also have all but 3 months confiscated all the medication. The rules are to protect the Canadian drug industry.

If lets say a tourist comes to canada for 5 months, how can they get 2 months of insulin supply?


Manulife and other insurance companies wont cover these medicines

 

[YVR123]

If lets say a tourist comes to canada for 5 months, how can they get 2 months of insulin supply?


Manulife and other insurance companies wont cover these medicines

They pay out of pocket to get medical supply locally.
I do not have the experience, but they may need to also pay out of pocket to visit a doctor and get a local prescription before going to a pharmacy to get the medication.
(But I did see some posts saying that they can get certain medication with prescription from foreign doctors ... but that could be from US or UK doctors. )
If someone can afford travelling for that long in a foreign country as a tourist, they can afford the medical expenses there. (should be part of the budget to travel with existing medical condition)

 

[canuck78]

If lets say a tourist comes to canada for 5 months, how can they get 2 months of insulin supply?


Manulife and other insurance companies wont cover these medicines

As a visitor you can also have a 3 month supply shipped to you near the end of the 90 day period. Think you also need to read your supervisa insurance policy. It is an emergency travel medicine policy that likely excludes anything diabetes related.