Jerseygirl

I am not covered by OHIP. A visit to my doctor in Toronto costs $90 per visit. Another surgery charges $70 per visit. I find the cost of meds and other services reasonable...but of course coming from the UK you will find these costs extortionate.

Stinkypup

Wow, I'm selling myself cheap- we typically charge just $40 for a normal length visit...gotta review my fees

irfyg

I'm wondering if her GP, Optom or Specialist from the UK, can refer her to a Specialist in Toronto?

R I C H

I think it's unlikely, referrals usually need to come from a Canadian GP. My wife had to visit a walk-in before we could get a meeting with an orthopedic surgeon. A letter of reference from her English surgeon didn't open any doors.

irfyg

Ah this is going to get really complicated.

Best case scenario the immigration goes through before then and she can make a trip to Toronto to begin the process before she moves here.

So I've sent in the Sponsorship Application Package this week, what happens next? I guess the CIC contact me once they being the process?

Stinkypup

I can't see a huge problem. She comes over, sees a GP or optometrist privately as described by JG and they do an urgent referral to the opthalmologist(s), given the complexity I would think that they would see her fairly speedily. That is what would happen here in BC. It would help if she could bring all the reports from the specialists in the UK to help over here.

Dorothy

This. Once she arrives see a walk in clinic doctor, get urgent referral to St Mikes eye clinic (Dr Chin Fook) and go to the appointment.

Because the process could take a few weeks just be sure to bring enough medicine to get by for a few months.

As for the sponsorship application, did you complete all of the forms and she had her medical? There's a great Wiki for spouse sponsorship (we just applied in late July). The next thing will be acknowledgement of receipt if your application is complete. Otherwise CIC will ask you for more information on any incomplete forms - we forgot to include my partner's 17 year old as a dependent. There's also a thread for spouse visas through London in the immigration forum if you haven't seen it yet.

Siouxie

You've sent the sponsorship AND the applicants package together with the proof of undergoing the medical and also the police checks I'm presuming (hoping)?

Spousal Sponsorship-Canada/FAQ : British Expat Wiki

Next step is being granted sponsorship approval.

irfyg

We've actually included the medical and the police checks all together!

That works too right?

It's been about 30 days since they received the package, how long does this phase usually take?

irfyg

So after doing a decent amount of research and calling various companies, it seems that no company covers regular consultant and prescription costs - All of them are catered to "emergency medical insurance" during that OHIP waiting period.

Can anybody provide information that I may not be aware about?

Jerseygirl

Sounds about right. You should be able to get 3 months of meds from your UK doctor. To see my doctor in downtown Toronto costs $90 per visit. There are cheaper doctors...my nearest is $70. Outside the city it may cost less.

Only 5 weeks to go until our OHIP coverage kicks in.

irfyg

Hey, thanks for the response.

If you don't mind me asking, is it a specialist consultant you see? She would need to see 3 specialists (uveitis, glaucoma and corneal consultants).

I'm trying to find as much information as I can for her, she is terrified and is genuinely considering not moving anymore.

Jerseygirl

Sorry I didn't realize this was an old thread and I've my above post is more or less a duplicate of the previous one I made.

I have no idea re eye problems...but sounds like any ongoing problems would have to be paid for out of pocket. Perhaps the insurance company could help?

Siouxie

There's an excellent eye hospital in Toronto - whilst a referral is needed, this can be done by an opthalmist or a doctor (a walk in clinic doctor could do so, provided you had the medical records available). A friend of mine has no OHIP coverage and had a detatched retina, she went there (for pre and post surgery) and said they had excellent service. You could, perhaps, make contact and ask what the costs would be to see them outside of OHIP

https://www.kensingtonhealth.org/Ken...-Services.aspx



Edited to add, there are several in Toronto - here's some links.

Adding, any costs that you incur can be offset against taxes and you would receive some of it back.

Aviator

An insurance broker?

I doubt an insurer is going to take on a risk, for a known condition if the costs to them would be higher than the premium.