duffdude

Can anyone tell me if diabetes medicine is covered by Medicare in Canada like it is i the UK by the NHS? If not, is there anyone who can give me an idea of how much you are looking at per month?

I've tried searching for this information myself but did not get very far.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help

BristolUK

I take it you mean are they free as with all prescriptions in the UK for people with Diabetes.

No.

I have Humulin, 43 units daily...I think full price is about $38 for a vial that lasts about 25 days.

My wife has Novo Rapid, similar dose, similar cost.

Metformin around $40 a month.

Test strips about $90 per 100, Syringes $35 per 100.

Employee Drug plans usually cover most costs.


Edited to add.....there's usually a deal at the Pharmacy for a free meter if you buy 100 test strips.

fledermaus

Depends on to which province you are going and how much you will earn, etc. etc etc

http://www.diabetes.ca/get-involved/...cial-coverage/

BristolUK

This is a good site too.

Almost Canadian

I agree with this.

I also take Lantus. This used to be very expensive but, for some reason, its cost reduced significantly some time ago.

I had employer coverage which meant I paid nothing, since becoming self employed, I have coverage via Alberta Blue Cross. They don`t cover all prescriptions so, for example, it pays nothing toward my Lantus. From memory Lantus costs me approx $120 a month (I take 30 units daily).

I used the pens so don`t need to keep buying syringes. Lantus was dispensed via a diposable pen in England, over here, it comes in pen refills as my Novorapid does. I have never used vials.

HTH

JonboyE

I don't know anything about diabetes medication, but you should be aware that there is no such thing as Medicare in Canada. Each province runs their own healthcare system so you need to research in the province you will be living in.

That said, as a general rule prescription medicines are user paid at market price in BC (and elsewhere in Canada as far as I can tell). If you have extended health care insurance through you employer this will likely pick up 50% - 100% of the cost (80% is fairly common). In BC there is the Fair Pharmacare program. This is a means tested program that, although not particularly generous, means the cost of prescription drugs will never be financially ruinous.

agr

Employer-provided health insurance typically covers insulin pump supplies too, which can amount to several thousand $ a year.

fledermaus

The Canada Health Act governs the minimum healthcare that each province must provide. This is often referred to as medicare, even by Health Canada.

BristolUK

I believe all the Provinces have some sort of means tested scheme for those who don't have their own coverage, some of which are alo called Pharmacare.

They are detailed here.

In some provinces you pay a max 20%, in others you pay $4 per drug, in another just the pharmacy processing fee. In Ontario it looks like a max 4% of income.