foreigngirl

Medical Services Plan
- what does it actually cover? I got this link http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/index.html but I can't find the info that I need.

Private insurance
- how does this work in Canada? Do you go to private clinics, hospitals, private doctors? Sorry, if this is a silly question, but this is the kind of 'private healthcare' that I'm personally familiar with.
- from what I understand, we'd need to pay a premium for both MSP and the private insurance. Is this correct?

- do you choose your dentist like you choose a family doctor?

Thank you.

Auld Yin

Private health care, as you know it, is not allowed in Canada. There are a few breakaway units/practitioners testing the system but legally not permitted. Yes there is a premium to be paid for MSP but for private insurance, well there isn't any.
Well choosing a doctor is, for the most part, a joke. There is a dearth of them in Canada so, unless you're very lucky, you'll probably start at a walk-in clinic.
There is, however, an abundance of dentists so finding one will be easy.
I'm not as familiar with the BC MSP as I am with Ontario but if it's similar it will cover doctor visits, specialist care and resulting tests, hospital care, including drugs while there. If you want semi-private or private accommodation while hospitalized you will pay the excess over basic care. Perhaps someone from BC will be along to help you further and better.

scrubbedexpat091

MSP covers all the basic healthcare needs like doctors visits, lab tests, hospital stays, etc.

There are also other programs like Pharmacare that help with medications, and if you have certain health issues, may cover your medications completely.

Depending on income and family size there might be a monthly premium for MSP, low income folks get assistance with this, and may pay nothing to a certain percentage each month.

Finding a doctor in the larger area's of BC isn't as hard as other parts of Canada but will take some time to research and find one, and doctor may interview you to see if your an acceptable patient.

JonboyE

To expand on Jsmth321's post, MSP covers roughly what the NHS covers expect for dentistry and the subsidy of prescription drugs.

Visits to GPs are covered by MSP. Finding a GP accepting new patients can take time but there are a good number of walk-in clinics where you can be treated or referred to specialists all within the MSP system.

Dentistry is all private. It is expensive compared to the UK but, IMO, you get better treatment. There are more dental offices than you can shake a blunt stick at so no worries there.

Many employers have extended health schemes that reimbuse some, or all, of your out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs, basic dental work and a few other things. without this you have to pay market proces for presription drugs up to the Pharmacare limits.

There is no private healthcare as we are used to in the UK for services provided by MSP. Consequently, you cannot buy private medical insurance. If you want to pay for hospital treatment it is a short trip to the border.

Aviator

Doctors don't seem to deal with any oral issues. They refer you to a dentist and you pay for the service.

There is also Fair Pharmacare, which you register for and is based on your tax return from year before last. If you have not filed one here, speak to them and it gets sorted. this covers prescription drugs (most, not all). The is a deductible, after which they cover 70% and a family maximum when they cover 100%.

jimf

To expand a little.........

Dentistry in Canada is all private. Dentistry in Canada is extraordinarily expensive compared to NHS dentistry in the UK but treatment is more comprehensive. Private dentistry in the UK is probably comparable with dentistry in Canada. Medical insurance provided by employers in Canada certainly makes dentistry moderately affordable for the customer but is a licence to print money for the dental industry, reflected in the multitude of "Mr Smile" type establishments in just about ever strip mall. And as for braces..........

foreigngirl

Thank you for all the useful info. My OH's company is offering private health insurance and I'm not sure if we should join it or not. Many thanks.

JonboyE

They are not offering private medical insurance. They are offering an extended benefits plan. Whether or not it is worth joining depends on what the plan covers, how much of the premiums he has to pay, and what percentage of costs are covered. And, of course, your expectation of needing the covereage and what you are prepared to self-insure.

I think it is fair to say that the overwhelming majority of people join their workplace plans at the earliest opportunity. If you decline at the start then you will only be allowed to join later after a medical review and all conditions existing at that time will be excluded.

Aviator

MSP do not pay for all prescription drugs, you have to pay the deductible, limited chiropractic etc. physio is not covered at all, nor disability, no dental or oral health covered, no dental. My last bill was $1800 and a while back $5000. Fortunately insurance covered it.

If you have an opportunity to get extended healthcare (it is not private) I would take it in a heartbeat. If mold bothers you, I suspect you would lose sleep without it if something happens. Many extended health plans cover out of Provence and travel. MSP is very limited for this.

Alan2005

Join it.

scrubbedexpat091

Depends on what your define as oral health, if you have something such as oral cancer or something medically serious MSP will pay for it.

What they don't pay for are services considered dental related.

I had an oral infection earlier in the year, and was treated in the ER and MSP covered it like they would cover any other infection.

They will also cover dental issues if its medically necessary and the procedure is done in the hospital.

What they dont cover is non-medically necessary dental such as fillings, preventive dental etc.

Atlantic Xpat

+1

It's neccessary for prescription drug coverage if nothing else. Plus usually it covers eye tests, a certain $ amount for eyeglasses every couple of years, physio, massage etc.

ExKiwilass

+2.

I have private cover through my employer. Right now I have to take some expensive medications, and with my health insurance I only pay 20% of the cost. It makes a huge difference.

foreigngirl

Thank you everyone. Looks like a 'no-brainer' then. Will get the coverage from my partner's employer.
Just one more question, I will be self-employed, do I need any extra coverage (I will be covered by my partner's company). Thank you.

Alan2005

Probably. Look at what they are offering.