Moving to Canada - info needed on health care costs etc.

[roblake29]

Hi,
I am a 29-year old Canadian/British male with CF. My wife and I are planning to move to Ontario early next year (Jan/Feb) from the UK, and I have some questions regarding CF care. Maybe someone on here can help answer these for me.

1) Health care provision. In the UK, we have a national health service (NHS), which provides free health care (paid by taxes of course), and does not exclude anyone on the basis of illness or what you might call a 'pre-existing condition'. I have been reading mixed messages about the Canadian system. I understand you also have a system called Medicare that provides free health care. Does this stretch to treatments for CF? What about prescription drugs? Do I need to get top-up health insurance? What are costs likely to be? Can you recommend any particular insurance providers if this is necessary?

2) How do I go about setting up to be looked after when I arrive? Can I chose my doctor? Is it worth exploring different CF treatment centres to pick the best one?

If anyone on here has answers to these questions or can point me toward finding them, please get in touch.

Thanks so much.

Rob

 

[roblake29]

Hi,
I am a 29-year old Canadian/British male with CF. My wife and I are planning to move to Ontario early next year (Jan/Feb) from the UK, and I have some questions regarding CF care. Maybe someone on here can help answer these for me.

1) Health care provision. In the UK, we have a national health service (NHS), which provides free health care (paid by taxes of course), and does not exclude anyone on the basis of illness or what you might call a 'pre-existing condition'. I have been reading mixed messages about the Canadian system. I understand you also have a system called Medicare that provides free health care. Does this stretch to treatments for CF? What about prescription drugs? Do I need to get top-up health insurance? What are costs likely to be? Can you recommend any particular insurance providers if this is necessary?

2) How do I go about setting up to be looked after when I arrive? Can I chose my doctor? Is it worth exploring different CF treatment centres to pick the best one?

If anyone on here has answers to these questions or can point me toward finding them, please get in touch.

Thanks so much.

Rob

 

[roblake29]

Hi,
<br />I am a 29-year old Canadian/British male with CF. My wife and I are planning to move to Ontario early next year (Jan/Feb) from the UK, and I have some questions regarding CF care. Maybe someone on here can help answer these for me.
<br />
<br />1) Health care provision. In the UK, we have a national health service (NHS), which provides free health care (paid by taxes of course), and does not exclude anyone on the basis of illness or what you might call a 'pre-existing condition'. I have been reading mixed messages about the Canadian system. I understand you also have a system called Medicare that provides free health care. Does this stretch to treatments for CF? What about prescription drugs? Do I need to get top-up health insurance? What are costs likely to be? Can you recommend any particular insurance providers if this is necessary?
<br />
<br />2) How do I go about setting up to be looked after when I arrive? Can I chose my doctor? Is it worth exploring different CF treatment centres to pick the best one?
<br />
<br />If anyone on here has answers to these questions or can point me toward finding them, please get in touch.
<br />
<br />Thanks so much.
<br />
<br />Rob

 

[alegris]

Hi,
In Ontario, the healthcare system is called OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) and it also doesn't exclude anyone based on illness. As long as you live in the province, you're covered. Here are a few links for some general info about OHIP:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/default.aspx
">http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en...ams/ohip/default.aspx
</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/after/OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
">http://www.ontarioimmigration..../OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
</a>
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website is a great resource to drug coverage information, clinic locations, and many other things:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/aboutCysticFibrosis/DrugCoverage.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...osis/DrugCoverage.php
</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/treatment/FindaCFClinic.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...ent/FindaCFClinic.php
</a>
Now from personal experience, I have no complaints with Ontario's healthcare system. The healthcare team at my clinic is available 24/7 for anything and everything. In emergencies, they will get you the treatment you need immediately. Alot of people complain about Canada's healthcare system saying that you 'die in the waiting room' because of shortages in staff and resources. I've never found this to be true. Maybe because they make a big deal because you have CF, I don't know. All I know is I've never had to wait for treatment.

Everything is free of charge with the exception of some drugs and equipment. This includes appointments with your CF team, hospital stays, and treatments (like X-rays and things like that). Alot of CF drugs are also provided free of charge, like Creon, CF Source vitamins, ventolin, tobramycin, etc. I've always had additional drug coverage through my employer so I don't have any experience using additional insurance providers. I'm not sure what kind of meds you take, but some things that I use my employee drug coverage for is Symbicort (astma inhaler), oral antibiotics, my nebulizer and PEP mask. But I think if you don't have a drug plan, the province will pay a certain percentage to help make it more available. That would be a question for your clinic.

I've moved around a bit in Ontario and getting set up at a clinic is as easy as giving them a call. They will take care of gathering your medical records, etc. The clinic you choose depends on the area you live in. I'm with the Ottawa team now and they're great, but again you might be limited by distance.

Hope that helps. Send me a message if you have any more questions or want more specifics. Good luck with the move!

 

[alegris]

Hi,
In Ontario, the healthcare system is called OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) and it also doesn't exclude anyone based on illness. As long as you live in the province, you're covered. Here are a few links for some general info about OHIP:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/default.aspx
">http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en...ams/ohip/default.aspx
</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/after/OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
">http://www.ontarioimmigration..../OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
</a>
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website is a great resource to drug coverage information, clinic locations, and many other things:

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/aboutCysticFibrosis/DrugCoverage.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...osis/DrugCoverage.php
</a>
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/treatment/FindaCFClinic.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...ent/FindaCFClinic.php
</a>
Now from personal experience, I have no complaints with Ontario's healthcare system. The healthcare team at my clinic is available 24/7 for anything and everything. In emergencies, they will get you the treatment you need immediately. Alot of people complain about Canada's healthcare system saying that you 'die in the waiting room' because of shortages in staff and resources. I've never found this to be true. Maybe because they make a big deal because you have CF, I don't know. All I know is I've never had to wait for treatment.

Everything is free of charge with the exception of some drugs and equipment. This includes appointments with your CF team, hospital stays, and treatments (like X-rays and things like that). Alot of CF drugs are also provided free of charge, like Creon, CF Source vitamins, ventolin, tobramycin, etc. I've always had additional drug coverage through my employer so I don't have any experience using additional insurance providers. I'm not sure what kind of meds you take, but some things that I use my employee drug coverage for is Symbicort (astma inhaler), oral antibiotics, my nebulizer and PEP mask. But I think if you don't have a drug plan, the province will pay a certain percentage to help make it more available. That would be a question for your clinic.

I've moved around a bit in Ontario and getting set up at a clinic is as easy as giving them a call. They will take care of gathering your medical records, etc. The clinic you choose depends on the area you live in. I'm with the Ottawa team now and they're great, but again you might be limited by distance.

Hope that helps. Send me a message if you have any more questions or want more specifics. Good luck with the move!

 

[alegris]

Hi,
<br />In Ontario, the healthcare system is called OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) and it also doesn't exclude anyone based on illness. As long as you live in the province, you're covered. Here are a few links for some general info about OHIP:
<br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/default.aspx
">http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en...ams/ohip/default.aspx
</a><br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/after/OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
">http://www.ontarioimmigration..../OI_AFTER_HEALTH.html
</a><br />
<br />The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website is a great resource to drug coverage information, clinic locations, and many other things:
<br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/aboutCysticFibrosis/DrugCoverage.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...osis/DrugCoverage.php
</a><br />
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/en/treatment/FindaCFClinic.php
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca/e...ent/FindaCFClinic.php
</a><br />
<br />Now from personal experience, I have no complaints with Ontario's healthcare system. The healthcare team at my clinic is available 24/7 for anything and everything. In emergencies, they will get you the treatment you need immediately. Alot of people complain about Canada's healthcare system saying that you 'die in the waiting room' because of shortages in staff and resources. I've never found this to be true. Maybe because they make a big deal because you have CF, I don't know. All I know is I've never had to wait for treatment.
<br />
<br />Everything is free of charge with the exception of some drugs and equipment. This includes appointments with your CF team, hospital stays, and treatments (like X-rays and things like that). Alot of CF drugs are also provided free of charge, like Creon, CF Source vitamins, ventolin, tobramycin, etc. I've always had additional drug coverage through my employer so I don't have any experience using additional insurance providers. I'm not sure what kind of meds you take, but some things that I use my employee drug coverage for is Symbicort (astma inhaler), oral antibiotics, my nebulizer and PEP mask. But I think if you don't have a drug plan, the province will pay a certain percentage to help make it more available. That would be a question for your clinic.
<br />
<br />I've moved around a bit in Ontario and getting set up at a clinic is as easy as giving them a call. They will take care of gathering your medical records, etc. The clinic you choose depends on the area you live in. I'm with the Ottawa team now and they're great, but again you might be limited by distance.
<br />
<br />Hope that helps. Send me a message if you have any more questions or want more specifics. Good luck with the move!

 

[mcbrash]

My son attended St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto until he passed in 2005. The care he received over the years was excellent and I can't say enough about the staff at this hospital. I can't remember a time where we had to pay for any prescriptions at all and if something wasn't covered then my insurance plan from work picked up the cost, which I know wasn't often. I can't even begin to imagine how much his transplant cost but again, this was all covered.

 

[mcbrash]

My son attended St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto until he passed in 2005. The care he received over the years was excellent and I can't say enough about the staff at this hospital. I can't remember a time where we had to pay for any prescriptions at all and if something wasn't covered then my insurance plan from work picked up the cost, which I know wasn't often. I can't even begin to imagine how much his transplant cost but again, this was all covered.

 

[mcbrash]

My son attended St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto until he passed in 2005. The care he received over the years was excellent and I can't say enough about the staff at this hospital. I can't remember a time where we had to pay for any prescriptions at all and if something wasn't covered then my insurance plan from work picked up the cost, which I know wasn't often. I can't even begin to imagine how much his transplant cost but again, this was all covered.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.

As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.

I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.

For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.

Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.

Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.

Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.

As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.

I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.

For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.

Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.

Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.

Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.
<br />
<br />As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.
<br />
<br />I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
<br />
<br />Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.
<br />
<br />For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.
<br />
<br />Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.
<br />
<br />Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.
<br />
<br />Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.

As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.

I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.

For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.

Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.

Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.

Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.

As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.

I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.

For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.

Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.

Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.

Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[vbs420]

WARNING!! You must be a citizen or landed immigrant AND you MUST reside in any province for 90 days BEFORE qualifying for health care.
<br />
<br />As you are not moving from one province to another, you won't have the 90 days of coverage AFTER moving, which all provinces provide.
<br />
<br />I just moved to Ontario from Alberta, and the coverage here is much different, and more restrictive than I had in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
<br />
<br />Each province covers different things and in different ways. The only thing *universal* about CF and Canadian health care is that there is no fee to see a doctor or stay in-hospital. But after that, every province is different.
<br />
<br />For drugs & equipment NOT covered under special CF programs, you will have to be destitute and well into poverty before any extra social programs kick-in to cover costs.
<br />
<br />Best be aware of your employer's health insurance and what it covers.
<br />
<br />Check the CCFF web site for a list of clinics, doctors, and what services are offered at each clinic. If you live in the Toronto or South-Western Ontario areas, it may be best to "shop around". Bigger clinics are not always better, as they are much busier and often lose focus on individual patients while trying to see as many people as possible on clinic days. There are no restrictions on geography and doctors as there are with NHS in UK.
<br />
<br />Are you CFrD? This is not adequately understood in many CF clinics, so be aware of specifically asking about the availability of an endocrinologist.

 

[JulieMelissa]

I am in Ontario. Now you didn't state whether or not you still work or are going to work so I'll offer the ODSP (Ontario Disability) side of this. Most things I get from CF clinic for free as in enzymes, ADEK, salbutamol, tobramycin or TOBI, omeprazole, and usually if they are looking to perscribe me something that isn't officially part of CF care but more for my individual case ie symbicort, didrocal (osteopenia), oral antibiotics what have you they usually make sure it's something covered by my disability (the only things that aren't are anything you can by over the counter ie you don't need a perscription to by them) and I pay 2 dollars per perscription refill. Pulmozyme is not covered by the CF plan but it is covered by my disability and if you don't have disibilty there is trillium coverage that they set you up with.

As for CFRD which I have. my doctor is actually knowledgable about CFRD but I do see a seperate Endo, and ENT for sinuses. But all diabetes meds are covered under my disability I just have to pay for new needle tips for my injectors (33 dollars for a box of 100). And the Diabetes clinic gave me two metres for free (my dog ate one LOL). My Endo also makes sure that the patient has coverage either through work or disability when perscribing thing since two drugs can do the same thing but cost very different.

Hospital stays are free but you pay for TV/phone/internet if you want (although I hear Toronto has free net). Procedures like PICCs surgery, xrays, bone density, blood draws yada yada yada are covered. For home care i just had to pay 4 dollars and i recieve a pump and my meds and a box of IV stuffs and then when they diliver just the med I only had to pay 2 dollars.

I have found my clinic works very hard that to make sure I have access to whatever I may need at as low a cost as possible.

I've rambled enough.... hope this helps

 

[JulieMelissa]

I am in Ontario. Now you didn't state whether or not you still work or are going to work so I'll offer the ODSP (Ontario Disability) side of this. Most things I get from CF clinic for free as in enzymes, ADEK, salbutamol, tobramycin or TOBI, omeprazole, and usually if they are looking to perscribe me something that isn't officially part of CF care but more for my individual case ie symbicort, didrocal (osteopenia), oral antibiotics what have you they usually make sure it's something covered by my disability (the only things that aren't are anything you can by over the counter ie you don't need a perscription to by them) and I pay 2 dollars per perscription refill. Pulmozyme is not covered by the CF plan but it is covered by my disability and if you don't have disibilty there is trillium coverage that they set you up with.

As for CFRD which I have. my doctor is actually knowledgable about CFRD but I do see a seperate Endo, and ENT for sinuses. But all diabetes meds are covered under my disability I just have to pay for new needle tips for my injectors (33 dollars for a box of 100). And the Diabetes clinic gave me two metres for free (my dog ate one LOL). My Endo also makes sure that the patient has coverage either through work or disability when perscribing thing since two drugs can do the same thing but cost very different.

Hospital stays are free but you pay for TV/phone/internet if you want (although I hear Toronto has free net). Procedures like PICCs surgery, xrays, bone density, blood draws yada yada yada are covered. For home care i just had to pay 4 dollars and i recieve a pump and my meds and a box of IV stuffs and then when they diliver just the med I only had to pay 2 dollars.

I have found my clinic works very hard that to make sure I have access to whatever I may need at as low a cost as possible.

I've rambled enough.... hope this helps

 

[JulieMelissa]

I am in Ontario. Now you didn't state whether or not you still work or are going to work so I'll offer the ODSP (Ontario Disability) side of this. Most things I get from CF clinic for free as in enzymes, ADEK, salbutamol, tobramycin or TOBI, omeprazole, and usually if they are looking to perscribe me something that isn't officially part of CF care but more for my individual case ie symbicort, didrocal (osteopenia), oral antibiotics what have you they usually make sure it's something covered by my disability (the only things that aren't are anything you can by over the counter ie you don't need a perscription to by them) and I pay 2 dollars per perscription refill. Pulmozyme is not covered by the CF plan but it is covered by my disability and if you don't have disibilty there is trillium coverage that they set you up with.
<br />
<br />As for CFRD which I have. my doctor is actually knowledgable about CFRD but I do see a seperate Endo, and ENT for sinuses. But all diabetes meds are covered under my disability I just have to pay for new needle tips for my injectors (33 dollars for a box of 100). And the Diabetes clinic gave me two metres for free (my dog ate one LOL). My Endo also makes sure that the patient has coverage either through work or disability when perscribing thing since two drugs can do the same thing but cost very different.
<br />
<br />Hospital stays are free but you pay for TV/phone/internet if you want (although I hear Toronto has free net). Procedures like PICCs surgery, xrays, bone density, blood draws yada yada yada are covered. For home care i just had to pay 4 dollars and i recieve a pump and my meds and a box of IV stuffs and then when they diliver just the med I only had to pay 2 dollars.
<br />
<br />I have found my clinic works very hard that to make sure I have access to whatever I may need at as low a cost as possible.
<br />
<br />I've rambled enough.... hope this helps

 

[JulieMelissa]

oh, also I do know you can choose your doctor because I know of a few patients you have switched clinics.... not because they moved just because they felt more comfortable with that doctor.

I also have been able to my whole life been able to apply to the government every 5 years for a new nebulizer pump and the government covers 75%? I think it was and work insurance or disbility cover the rest (or really it could be paid personally, the last 25% owed on my last machine was like 125 dollar LOL)

ok! now I'm done haha

 

[JulieMelissa]

oh, also I do know you can choose your doctor because I know of a few patients you have switched clinics.... not because they moved just because they felt more comfortable with that doctor.

I also have been able to my whole life been able to apply to the government every 5 years for a new nebulizer pump and the government covers 75%? I think it was and work insurance or disbility cover the rest (or really it could be paid personally, the last 25% owed on my last machine was like 125 dollar LOL)

ok! now I'm done haha