Possible move from Scotland

Alloway
Alloway Member Posts: 32
edited June 2014 in Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
Possible move from Scotland
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  • Alloway
    Alloway Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2009

    Hello!

    My husband is looking into jobs in Montreal and I am concerned about my position in the Canadian health system. Do they treat "foreigners" with a previous BC? How much would I have to pay in Medical Insurance with my past diagnosis? Someone told me that the Canadian system is half-State, half-Private. Is this correct?

    Thank you in advance!

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited October 2009

    Hi Alloway:

    I can give you a bit of info, and I'm sure others (esp. from Quebec) can fill you in as well.

    If your husband lands a job in Montreal and you both move here, he will no doubt be offered family supplemental health insurance as a job benefit (after passing the probationary period).  When you have both been here (as landed immigrants) for 3 months, you will be eligible for full health coverage, paid for by the province (by way of the federal government).

    Supplemental insurance covers things like dental, chiropractic, drugs etc. which are not paid for by the government.  Drugs administered in hospital (such as chemo) are covered by the gov't system, while drugs purchased at pharmacy and taken outside of hospital are not.  That is one of the reasons supplemental insurance is so valued.

    This is the way it is in Ontario, while things may be a bit different in Quebec.  However, be assured that your "pre-existing condition" does not matter one whit!

    Hoping some Montreal natives will fill you in on the ins and outs of medical coverage.

    Cheers!

    Linda

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  • jader
    jader Member Posts: 223
    edited October 2009

    I thought the Canadians didn't allow someone to move there if they had a pre-existing? I thought that's what I read but maybe that is just for supplemental private insurance that you purchase on your own .. employer based is not allowed to deny coverage, is that right????

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  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited October 2009

    jader: I think that what happens with Alloway all depends on her husband being offered a job here before they immigrate. 

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  • mke
    mke Member Posts: 584
    edited October 2009

    The "pre-existing" depends on whether the immigration officer thinks that the condition will be an undue burden on the health system.   If the past diagnosis is more than 5 years, I doubt that it will make any difference at all.  Less than that it will depend on the type of BC.  Immigration is a government decision, and they can deny entry even to someone with a job offer.  It really is a very subjective process.

    I'm not sure about Quebec, but in Ontario there doesn't seem to be a way to get covered by private insurance for health care while being a temporary resident.  I looked into it for my Mother-in-law.  Supplemental stuff can be employer based but not basic health care - employed, self employed, unemployed, retired - it's all the same.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited October 2009

    Alloway - I am originally from New Zealand, and immigrated to Canada when I married my Canadian husband. I am in Ontario though so things may be different in Quebec. Health coverage is controlled by your Province.

    I had to have a full Medical examination before I could qualify for Health coverage, there was also a 3 month "stand-down" period once I qualified. This was 10 years ago though, so well before my Dx. I did have private "emergency" coverage while we were waiting (which would have covered me for a broken bone, for example) but had to pay for regular Dr visit. You could easily call the Canadian Embassy and talk with someone about what sort of medical condition would disqualify you. 

    I have a friend who is here on the back of her husbands work visa. They are not immigrating. They got health coverage as part of his Work Visa - they didn't need medical examinations. So if that was your situation, you may get coverage for the time you were here.

    Hope it all works out for you! Montreal is an amazing city, I would love to live there! 

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  • Milana90210
    Milana90210 Member Posts: 19
    edited October 2009

    Alloway,

    you didnt say what is your status going to be here in. Quebec?

    If your husband is going to have only working visa then you should check with the company that offered a job what kind of benefits they offer.

    If you are coming as landed immigrant then you will have to wait 3 months and after three months you will be covered no matter of your previous BC. I know as I have a friend who had cancer at the age of 20, came here when she was 40 years old, and and she had all med expenses covered, she came here as a landed immigrant.

    And yes, Montreal is an amazing city, I am happy that I live here:)

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