Posted on: 14-01-04 18:51:59
Greetings,
I would like to know what to expect in terms of health care once we move to Canada.
I know that you don't get provincial health coverage for 3 months.
What do you do if you need to go to a doctor or hospital?
Do you have to pay all expenses out-of-pocket?
What are typical expenses like for doctor's consultation or hospital emergency care?
After you get the provincial health care, how does it work?
Say, you need to see a specialist doctor?
Do you have to be referred by a regular doctor first (like HMO in the US), or can you go directly (like PPO).
Thanks for any help.
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"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
Hi Aparna,
I remember that we had a medical emergency within a couple of months of landing in canada and we did not have to spend anything then. I also remember that I did have my health card. Then again this was 8 yrs ago and I am not sure if things have changed. Maybe someone else here has better information for you.
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Quote:
Orginally posted by Aparna
Greetings,
I would like to know what to expect in terms of health care once we move to Canada.
I know that you don't get provincial health coverage for 3 months.
What do you do if you need to go to a doctor or hospital?
Do you have to pay all expenses out-of-pocket?
What are typical expenses like for doctor's consultation or hospital emergency care?
After you get the provincial health care, how does it work?
Say, you need to see a specialist doctor?
Do you have to be referred by a regular doctor first (like HMO in the US), or can you go directly (like PPO).
Thanks for any help.
Aparna,
You do not get OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) coverage for the first 3 months. You are advised to take medical insurance for you and family members for the first 90 days in Ontario. This insurance can either be bought in Canada or in USA depending on the premiums by various companies. This is to cover any medical emergency here during those 90 days because if you do not have medical insurance, you are liable to pay full fees of the General physician or the specialist and also the hospitalization charges which can cost a fortune.
The general physician may charge 50-75 dollars per visit. And yes, most of the times if you need to see a specialist for which can be a very long wait (one to three or four months) you have to be referred by your family doctor (or general physician) first.
After you land here, you apply for a SIN card and then you can apply for your HEALTH CARD. After you receive your health card and a period of 90 days is over, then if you have to see a doctor you can go to any walk in clinic or a doctor near you live and they will open your file with them and they will ask for your health card at each visit and swipe it so that they can claim for the Government for your visit. You do not have to pay any thing to visit the doctor. However, if the doctor prescribes some medication, you have to pay the cost of the same plus prescription fee which range from $6 (Wal Mart, Food Basic etc.) to $12 (any pharmacy, shoppers drug mart, guardian drugs etc.)
I hope it clarifies.
Good Luck
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Pramod & jake3d, thanks for your replies. Appreciate it.
Can you suggest some insurance companies in Ontario ?
Thanks,
Aparna.
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"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
I heard Blue Cross is a good insurance company. For more details you can visit their web site :
http://www.bluecross.ca/
thanks and regards.
biomed
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I got medical insurance from this company.
http://www.travelinsurance.ca/
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