CanadianDreams

Hi Expats

I have done a search but cannot find a recent answer and wondered if someone can point me in the right direction.

I take longterm Thyroxine and my husband a well controlled Asthmatic and i'm trying to find approximate costs of prescriptions. I understand we are not entitled to healthcare for the first 3 months and we will have private insurance and meds to cover us during that period but how do we go about signing up with a GP over there?
Is it as straight forward as it is here....just walk on in to a practice and sign the relevant forms?

Thanks for advice

Anna

Siphorous

I can answer one part of your question at least

You have to register for the MSP in BC first I believe (or pay the doc fees yourself which could be costly). See here for more info:

http://www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigrat...ealthcare.page

Once that's done and you have your PHN (Personal Health Number) you can go to a doctor. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to register as long as they are accepting new patients (same as U.K. I guess in that regard).

See here to find a doctor:

https://www.cpsbc.ca/node/263

It may be wise to click the 'all family physicians' and contact them directly in case the information on that site hasn't been updated with regards to their acceptance of new patients or not.

Almost Canadian

I take Thyroxine. It doesn't cost a huge amount. My insurance covers all but the excess of the dispensing fee. It costs me around $4 per 100. I will find the total cost when I get home tonight.

CanadianDreams

Thanks Guys, much appreciated!

Flossie and Jim

On the asthma front the price of inhalers varies quite a bit and depends on if there is a generic brand version out there or not.

In Alberta, Advair (the purple one - can't remember what its called in the UK) will set you back around $100 an inhaler, but other inhalers are much cheaper than this.

Other half's Thyroxine is peanuts - just a few bucks at a time.

CanadianDreams

Thanks very much