Moving from Quebec to BC - how to get proper follow-up

ptrqc

Moving from Quebec to BC - how to get proper follow-up

ptrqc

Hi everybody,

My wife and I have the project of moving from Québec to Vancouver (job opportunity).

My wife was diagnosed with BC in 2011, had surgery and is since then on Tamoxifen (and has been cancer-free since). She sees her oncologist 2 times a year for follow-up and is also in a pan-canadian research program for which she sees a team here in QC.

We wondered if anybody here has made the same move, and how the transition went.

Some very practical question we have:

- will the tamoxifen prescriptions from her quebec pysician be accepted in BC ?

- will it be easy to get access to the same kind of follow-up she has presently in québec ?

- is Tamoxifen covered by BC Pharmacare ?

As the health issue is a major point for us to make the decision, we try to get the most information as possible.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Ptrqc

Moderators

Welcome ptrqc, Our Canadian threads are very active. You may want to post your question on this thread Vancover for some local input. Let us know if you need more help. The Mods

GG27

I can only answer one of your questions. Tamoxifen is covered by the BC Cancer agency. You go to the hospital pharmacy to get your prescription filled free of charge, it is considered part of your ongoing cancer treatment. I would ask your onco for a referral to the BC Cancer agency. You can't be the first person to be moving between provinces. Good luck Dee

ptrqc

OK, thanks, I will post the same message in the Vancouver thread.

ptrqc

Thx GG27, that's at least one question answered.

Until now, it has been rather difficult to get clear answers from MSP, RAMQ (Québec), or the BC cancer agency.

It is also not clear if my wife's medical history will impact her eligibility for the private health insurance that my potential employer offers (Pacific Blue Cross).

Thx

Ptrqc

Sneakychiquita

Reiterating what GG said, I think once your wife gets referred to the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) by her current oncologist that you'll get the answers you're looking for, aside from those about private insurance. Everyone's follow-up schedule differs a little so it may not be exactly the same as what your wife is used to, but it should be adequate. I currently see my oncologist every 3 months, mostly because I'm still dealing with side effects from Tamoxifen and have other symptoms that are being watched for. Others are on a schedule of 6 months, 12 months, etc.

I think only Pacific Blue Cross will be able to answer the questions you have for them.