Tirytory

Is your Crohn's disease well controlled with medication? How often do you have flare up's that need extra meds or need hospitalisation? Have you had previous surgery? What does your consultant say about the year say uncovered medically? Sorry, you don't need to answer but I was just trying to clarify whether a year is a risky one for you or you should be fine...

I wouldn't wish for your disease to actively stop you following your dream but you do need to be aware of the 3month wait, the need to pay for prescription, the probable lack of insurance cover (just a guess though) it could be a ridiculously expensive year especially if you were hospitalised?

nativenewyorker

It was in 2011

KimbSe

Thanks for sending along that link, it's really helpful. I would take this insurance out which would cover me for 186 days whilst the medical coverage kicked in. This covers hospitalization, if I have to return to the UK earlier and if my medication is lost etc. I will just have to double check they cover the medication I am on as most private insurance companies never used too, but this one is specialised for people with Crohn's disease so it should do.

And in concerns to getting my medication whilst I'm there, I would go to the walk in clinic with a letter from my specialist stating the medication I am on, what I have and what I need in case of an emergency, then buy the medication from a pharmacy that offers it.

KimbSe

What do you mean by a private prescription filled in the UK?

And yes, I am only permitted to 30 days max at a time, in the UK or out.

Ozzidoc

Your GP can write you a private prescription, which costs you money to obtain as it is private and not NHS work. You would usually pay on the day when requesting or collecting the prescription.

You then take the prescription to a UK pharmacy, who fill the prescription and you pay whatever the pharmacy charges for the items.. Sometimes the meds are surprisingly cheap, other times eye-watering expensive.

The prescription must be filled (ie used) in the UK - it is not a valid or legal request elsewhere.

Siouxie

Not wishing to upset, but your medical insurance must be for a full year for an IEC working holiday work permit. You are required to show this when you enter Canada - if you don't have a full year (with repatriation) then you will either be refused or else only given a work permit for the length of time of your insurance.

you can sort it out.

Souvy

When I left the UK (14 years ago) I was using a prescription cream for a skin complaint. My UK GP wrote me a prescription for a monumentally large amount of the stuff. It kept me going for a very long time when I got here.

Maybe the OP's GP can do the same.

KimbSe

Then why do people get private insurance and then apply for medical coverage in their area after 3 months on a working holiday visa? I spoke to someone who worked for a Canadian private insurance company, and yes I have to show proof of my private health insurance upon entering, but he said it's common for people to apply for medical coverage soon after arriving which will begin 3 months after the application has gone through.

If what you say is the case, I will just try to find Crohn's medical insurance that will last a year. Or take it out twice if that's an option.

Aviator

12 month travel insurance will cover repatriation if seriouly injured or the remains in the event of a death. Provincial health care won't. Provincial does not have a pre exisiting condition exclusion, althouth there are some limitations. Your travel should also cover most prescriptions, provincial does not.

One would imagine travel coverage with a pre existing condition won't be cheap. Insurance companies look to making a profit.

KimbSe

Meaning? I think there's some confusion here. I wouldn't get normal private health insurance because I have a life time condition, which means I would get a specialist health insurance to enter the country which covers me in emergencies, death and my possessions and passport as well. It also covers any medication which is lost. I would try and get this insurance extended, or find a company that covers yearly.

Aviator

Meaning, why people get private insurance and apply for medical when here. Which was your question.

Siouxie

1) Because medical cover including repatriation is a requirement under the IEC initiative.
2) Because most are able to obtain Provincial Healthcare cover after 3 months (or less in some Provinces) which enables them to see a doctor for free, get emergency treatment etc., however, this doesn't cover you for repatriation, medication, dental treatment or eye glasses. Some may also apply for Blue Cross or other medical cover through their employers, but not every employer supplies 'benefits'.


Perhaps take note of the requirements per the CIC FAQ's if you prefer.

General FAQ

3. What type of insurance must I buy before leaving for Canada?

IEC requires you to buy and maintain health-care insurance (covering medical care, hospitalization and repatriation) for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. We recommend that you buy this insurance only after you have received your Letter of Introduction, confirming that your IEC application was successful.

You may be refused entry if you do not have insurance. If your insurance policy is valid for less than 12 months, you may be issued a work permit that expires at the same time as your insurance. In this case, you are not eligible to apply for an extension of your work permit at a later date.

KimbSe

I don't know what you're getting at. I just explained that I would get insurance that would last for a year from a private insurance company that specialises in long term conditions. I know that you can't enter Canada without health insurance. I don't expect my prescriptions to be free.

Sorry, but I don't understand. There's ways to work around this and I never said I would enter Canada without health insurance. I just stated that the health insurance that specialises in long term conditions only last 186 days (no doubt for holidays), so I would find a health insurance company that covers for a year. The health insurance that covers my long term condition also covers repatriation if I become ill and have to return to the UK.

Are you saying that I wouldn't apply for provincial cover, I would remain with the private health insurance company for the year? I knew that. I would just have to pay for my prescriptions that I would get from a walk in clinic and the private health insurance covers emergencies and if I need to return home.

Siouxie

I was answering your questions from your 1st post (above).

You would apply for Provincial cover provided you met the requirements (which vary from Province to Province).

colchar

You show up, wait, and see a doctor when it is your turn. Nurses do not provide prescriptions, doctors do.