Health care in BC
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 222
Health care in BC
Could anyone shed any light on to healthcare in bc, how it works, how much it costs, how soon can i register after landing? There seems to be alot of infor about alberta on the wiki but nothing specific to bc. Only thing i did discover is that i cant donate blood, bit of a cheek to incinuate all brits have BSE.
#2
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: Health care in BC
Could anyone shed any light on to healthcare in bc, how it works, how much it costs, how soon can i register after landing? There seems to be alot of infor about alberta on the wiki but nothing specific to bc. Only thing i did discover is that i cant donate blood, bit of a cheek to incinuate all brits have BSE.
As for the blood donations issue we've already had a major tainted blood scandal in Canada no offence but we don't want to take the chance on another no matter how remote the chances.
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 222
Re: Health care in BC
i understand safety and all that, it's just i loved the fact i could donate blood in england, i couldnt wait to be old enough!! My mum had alway been when i was younger so it just feels such a shame to be not able to help, when i am so used to being able to donate in england. Oh well i suppose i can always do the honours every time i holiday back here.
#5
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 1,810
Re: Health care in BC
Since the tainted blood scandal, things tightened up. Guess covering their backs.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads=
#6
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
Re: Health care in BC
i understand safety and all that, it's just i loved the fact i could donate blood in england, i couldnt wait to be old enough!! My mum had alway been when i was younger so it just feels such a shame to be not able to help, when i am so used to being able to donate in england. Oh well i suppose i can always do the honours every time i holiday back here.
Personally, I'm glad to be absolved of the guilt for not rolling up my sleeve!
#7
Re: Health care in BC
When you first arrive as a PR you have to wait approx 3 months before you can use healthcare services - Medical Services Plan (MSP). Most people advise you take insurance to cover you for the iterum period.
Once on MSP you get GP & Hospital care like the UK- Prescriptions you pay actual price of medication rather than discount rate in the NHS.
Ambulance is approx $500 per journey.
Healthcare varies across BC, but by all accounts healthcare is better than UK when you get it.
Once on MSP you get GP & Hospital care like the UK- Prescriptions you pay actual price of medication rather than discount rate in the NHS.
Ambulance is approx $500 per journey.
Healthcare varies across BC, but by all accounts healthcare is better than UK when you get it.
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 801
Re: Health care in BC
Oh well i suppose i can always do the honours every time i holiday back here.
#9
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 1,810
Re: Health care in BC
Once on MSP you get GP & Hospital care like the UK- Prescriptions you pay actual price of medication rather than discount rate in the NHS.
Ambulance is approx $500 per journey.
#10
Re: Health care in BC
I wish members on BE didn't feel the need their information should be right and constantly go out their way to contradict other members who also want to contribute.
Approx 3 months- versus 2 months and expiry of 1st month- come on get a life whats the difference.
Wife is a GP in BC so $500 for an ambulance is right unless you qualify for assistance. Most expats will be working therefore you will end up paying. I have also spoken to the the advisor for MSP who confirmed this.
Prescription cost is a significant cost so be prepared.
Approx 3 months- versus 2 months and expiry of 1st month- come on get a life whats the difference.
Wife is a GP in BC so $500 for an ambulance is right unless you qualify for assistance. Most expats will be working therefore you will end up paying. I have also spoken to the the advisor for MSP who confirmed this.
Prescription cost is a significant cost so be prepared.
Last edited by babycart; Sep 1st 2008 at 5:13 pm. Reason: spelling
#11
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 1,810
Re: Health care in BC
Wife is a GP in BC so $500 for an ambulance is right unless you qualify for assistance. Most expats will be working therefore you will end up paying. I have also spoken to the the advisor for MSP who confirmed this.
Prescription cost is a significant cost so be prepared.
If you are not covered under MSP then rates are considerably more. Up to several thousand for air ambulance!
Suggest confirming your facts before posting and scaring the bejeebers out of new immigrants. It is not a case of being more right than another poster, rather for accuracy.
Last edited by Surrey Expat; Sep 1st 2008 at 5:30 pm.
#12
Re: Health care in BC
Surrey Expat didn't "contradict" you - he corrected you! He has been offering advice for a long time.
It is very annoying when newcomers post as though they know everything about everything
#13
Re: Health care in BC
2nd Post from Surrey Expat a lot more informative & helpful- $500 still the price for an ambulance if you have no MSP- Yes Income is the factor- I make no excuses for having a higher family income- we end up paying more for our healthcare.
The costs that a new comer will have to deal with is a lot higher than most anticipate- and it is not about scaring new comers.
Fuschiagirl just an example of irrelevant post that fills up these threads- I am sure Surrey Expat can defend his own statements.
BE is for new and "established" member- its not a private forum for a select few members & it is an opportunity for all to learn- just expressing my view or do BE senior members have a right to dictate who can post.
The costs that a new comer will have to deal with is a lot higher than most anticipate- and it is not about scaring new comers.
Fuschiagirl just an example of irrelevant post that fills up these threads- I am sure Surrey Expat can defend his own statements.
BE is for new and "established" member- its not a private forum for a select few members & it is an opportunity for all to learn- just expressing my view or do BE senior members have a right to dictate who can post.
#14
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: New Caledonia
Posts: 1,810
Re: Health care in BC
2nd Post from Surrey Expat a lot more informative & helpful- $500 still the price for an ambulance if you have no MSP- Yes Income is the factor- I make no excuses for having a higher family income- we end up paying more for our healthcare.
The costs that a new comer will have to deal with is a lot higher than most anticipate- and it is not about scaring new comers.
Fuschiagirl just an example of irrelevant post that fills up these threads- I am sure Surrey Expat can defend his own statements.
BE is for new and "established" member- its not a private forum for a select few members & it is an opportunity for all to learn- just expressing my view or do BE senior members have a right to dictate who can post.
The costs that a new comer will have to deal with is a lot higher than most anticipate- and it is not about scaring new comers.
Fuschiagirl just an example of irrelevant post that fills up these threads- I am sure Surrey Expat can defend his own statements.
BE is for new and "established" member- its not a private forum for a select few members & it is an opportunity for all to learn- just expressing my view or do BE senior members have a right to dictate who can post.
#15
Re: Health care in BC
?????? another example of an irrelevant post.
My advise to any newcomer- go to your GP & stock up as much as you can get, particularly if you have a chronic condition. Certain medicines that you can buy over the counter in the UK will be prescription only here. Even over the counter medicines I have found is more expensive than the UK-
My advise to any newcomer- go to your GP & stock up as much as you can get, particularly if you have a chronic condition. Certain medicines that you can buy over the counter in the UK will be prescription only here. Even over the counter medicines I have found is more expensive than the UK-