Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Jun 15th 2011, 9:37 am
#16
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Jun 15th 2011, 9:38 am
#17
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
My old doc from before I moved out of the city would have been fine and helpful in thsi way but I'm with a new doc in a new town now and he doesn't know me nor is he at all helpful.
Jun 15th 2011, 9:40 am
#18
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
I have mild asthma and use a Bricanyl Turbuhaler over here. I used to use the aerosol version in the UK but they don't seem to have that over here, so had to use the powder one.
I was on a TWP (intra company transferee), but I did not actually sign up for a health card for quite a while, so not sure if that class is subject to the normal three month wait, pretty sure others in the company who came over at the same time were able to sign up right away.
Anyway, when I did get my card, walk in clinics were free to attend, just show your health card, and they were more than happy to provide me with a repeat prescription for my inhaler, usually with a couple of additional refills too. I used walk in's for at least four years, both in Toronto and Oakville, until I finally got round to registering with a doctor in March this year.
Cost of my inhaler is about $35, which isn't too bad, seems to last me at least four months, if not longer. I do get 80% of that back as I'm on my wife's health plan, but even still, $35 isn't too bad, ok, more expensive than it would be in the UK (think the dollar amount would be about $14)
I would say I was silly in waiting for so long, and you should get personal health coverage until you are able to get OHIP. If I had injured myself in some way that required medical attention I'm not sure how much it would have cost me.
I was on a TWP (intra company transferee), but I did not actually sign up for a health card for quite a while, so not sure if that class is subject to the normal three month wait, pretty sure others in the company who came over at the same time were able to sign up right away.
Anyway, when I did get my card, walk in clinics were free to attend, just show your health card, and they were more than happy to provide me with a repeat prescription for my inhaler, usually with a couple of additional refills too. I used walk in's for at least four years, both in Toronto and Oakville, until I finally got round to registering with a doctor in March this year.
Cost of my inhaler is about $35, which isn't too bad, seems to last me at least four months, if not longer. I do get 80% of that back as I'm on my wife's health plan, but even still, $35 isn't too bad, ok, more expensive than it would be in the UK (think the dollar amount would be about $14)
I would say I was silly in waiting for so long, and you should get personal health coverage until you are able to get OHIP. If I had injured myself in some way that required medical attention I'm not sure how much it would have cost me.
Jun 15th 2011, 9:42 am
#19
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Jun 15th 2011, 10:18 am
#20
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
You may be lucky. My Asthma problems essentially disappeared living in Calgary although the air is very, very dry.
Jun 15th 2011, 10:25 am
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Essentially when you fill in the Canadian tax return you declare your foreign income and foreign tax due on it which is credited (I think based upon Canadian marginal tax rates, but an accountant may correct me on this)against your Canadian tax due. From my experience this then upsets CRA who then ask for supporting documentation to proove that you have paid the foreign tax.
Jun 15th 2011, 10:28 am
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Jun 15th 2011, 11:21 am
#23
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Can I run my businesses back home via the internet on my TWP or do I actually have to be employed by someone while in Canada? And if I can just carry on with my businesses but have to support myself with savings what do I do about Canadian tax then?
I got the TWP so I could spend a year in Canada with my Canadian partner, living together with the intention to manage my businesses back home which can be done via the internet and if life there went well for the year and I wanted to stay I'd then apply for PR and move everything out to Canada including moving my trading account to a Canadian $ one and run my businesses in Canada. It is a tad confusing to me how to work this TWP properly in my situation. I really appreciate any advice.
Last edited by skytek; Jun 15th 2011 at 11:27 am.
Jun 15th 2011, 11:34 am
#24
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Have a read of this and this. Gives info on who is eligible (seems TWP should be) and if you need to wait or can get OHIP right away.
Last edited by sharkus; Jun 15th 2011 at 11:38 am.
Jun 15th 2011, 12:00 pm
#25
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
You can definitely get OHIP on a TWP, intra company transferee or otherwise. You will be paying taxes here like a citizen so you are entitled. You will need to wait 3 months, so apply for it as soon as you arrive and once you have a SIN) and it will be good to go in 3 months time.
Do you have a job already sorted? I guess you must have to have got the TWP. It's worth checking what benefits they offer, they might also offer impatriate cover for the 3 months before OHIP kicks in.
As for ashtma meds, I got a 3 month stock from the doctor before going but I also had a repeat prescritption that I got filled a few times so I had more than that in reality. They lasted me well over 6 months, and as many people have said asthma seems to improve here. If you have mild asthma then I doubt you will need advair (seretide- the purple one) and will just need some ventolin. They are not too expensive (about $15 I think). I get 90% covered by my work plan but I got 2 advair for $27 (I don't know if they charge by the item here or by porescription). You can get a proper doctor while here - there is nothing to stop you doing that and they will diagnose you with the correct meds. Just take along your old prescription. It's not that difficult really!
Do you have a job already sorted? I guess you must have to have got the TWP. It's worth checking what benefits they offer, they might also offer impatriate cover for the 3 months before OHIP kicks in.
As for ashtma meds, I got a 3 month stock from the doctor before going but I also had a repeat prescritption that I got filled a few times so I had more than that in reality. They lasted me well over 6 months, and as many people have said asthma seems to improve here. If you have mild asthma then I doubt you will need advair (seretide- the purple one) and will just need some ventolin. They are not too expensive (about $15 I think). I get 90% covered by my work plan but I got 2 advair for $27 (I don't know if they charge by the item here or by porescription). You can get a proper doctor while here - there is nothing to stop you doing that and they will diagnose you with the correct meds. Just take along your old prescription. It's not that difficult really!
Jun 15th 2011, 2:48 pm
#26
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
If you have small children with asthma I'd advise getting hold of a few spacer devices before you come out too. We have insurance through OH's work but had to pay $40 upfront for a child's Aerochamber. 
The pharmacy said wasn't covered by insurance, we were able to claim it back, but just another thing to bear in mind.
Also note that any prescribed medication such as Claritin, Reactine, etc for allergies, hayfever etc doesn't appear to be covered under insurance schemes and you have to pay for them, even for kids. Again would advise bringing out what you can, especially if you have a child with an allergy who needs medication to be kept in school. It soon adds up.
The pharmacy said wasn't covered by insurance, we were able to claim it back, but just another thing to bear in mind.Also note that any prescribed medication such as Claritin, Reactine, etc for allergies, hayfever etc doesn't appear to be covered under insurance schemes and you have to pay for them, even for kids. Again would advise bringing out what you can, especially if you have a child with an allergy who needs medication to be kept in school. It soon adds up.
Jun 15th 2011, 2:56 pm
#27
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Also note that any prescribed medication such as Claritin, Reactine, etc for allergies, hayfever etc doesn't appear to be covered under insurance schemes and you have to pay for them, even for kids. Again would advise bringing out what you can, especially if you have a child with an allergy who needs medication to be kept in school. It soon adds up.
Last edited by Steve_P; Jun 15th 2011 at 3:05 pm.
Jun 15th 2011, 3:13 pm
#28
Don't call me MOM!!
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
Seems a bit odd you have to pay for medication for a child with a serious food allergy, (even if you can buy same drugs over the counter) whilst under same insurance scheme yet claim $500 worth of massages a year???
Jun 15th 2011, 3:20 pm
#29
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Re: Getting Asthma medication while on TWP
It may seem strange to you because that's what you've been used to, it does not seem strange to me. Remember this is not the UK.
