saskia65

This might be better suited to the Bollux thread in Maple Leaf, because it's probably not a go-er, but I'd appreciate comments.

I have years of private healthcare cover in the UK with AXAPPP, and I wondered if anyone had somehow transferred their existing cover when they moved, rather than getting a new policy? I think it is possible if you take out some sort of international package with AXA PPP before you leave, but it may end up more expensive....?

Who are the major private providers in Canada (I know, go and google, girl.) and who would people recommend in BC?

Enjoy your Bank Holiday.

Sas x

NessieOggy

Hi Sas

For the first 3 months of residence in BC, I've heard of people using Pacific Blue Cross or Manulife for medical coverage. Canadasure is another company I've seen mentioned. After 3 months of residence, Medical Services Plan (MSP), BC's provincial medical coverage, would be available to you.


Oggy

saskia65

Judy in Calgary

Ummm
x

Surrey Expat

https://www.pbchbs.com/travelweb/

saskia65

Actually my interest wasn't specific to the first three months, I wanted to try and bring my existing cover with me. I've had a few problems of late, and I'm a bit concerned that a new policy would exclude these. Perhaps a bit specific for this forum. Thanks for the other info tho', useful in itself.

Surrey Expat

Extremely unlikely as even when the name is the same, the company here is Canadian and operates independently of foreign counterparts. Phone a couple and ask them. Any comments on here or others experiences is specific to them and not going to definitively answer your question. Have you asked your existing health care provider?

JonboyE

The healthcare system is different in BC to the UK. You cannot buy private medical insurance like BUPA. By law, most people in BC cannot pay, either directly or via an insurance policy, for medically necessary treatment that is covered by the Medical Services Plan.

MSP is compulsory for citizens and permanent residents. It seems that people here on a work permit can choose not to join MSP and just pay cash for treatment. This is not a great decision unless you have lots and lots of spare money, because medical treatment is expensive.

You can buy extended medical insurance to cover treatments not included in MSP. This cover is often provided by employers. I am not sure that individual schemes are particularly good value for money.

edinburgh

any idea what the cost of MSP is ?

JonboyE

Per month:

$54 for one person
$96 for a family of two
$108 for a family of three or more

http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html

edinburgh

thanks

Juliew

Just to add to Jonboy's point:

There is no private healthcare in BC (for most medical). There are no private hospitals. Therefore it is in your best interest to purchase BC medical care. It is subsidized by the government. As a resident you are legally required to purchase it. You may however purchase extended health coverage which includes only those things not covered under medicare (dental, prescriptions etc)

R I C H

That's only partly true - you can pay for surgery, and not have to wait in line. My wife wanted some metal work taken out of her leg as a result of surgery in the UK several years earlier. She found a local clinic and surgeon that was happy to carry out the procedure, and was able to select her own date for the operation. No different from paying for private healthcare in the UK.

Yasmina2005

These canadians are driving me crazy..Since they oblige us to buy the BC medical care, then they should provide enough resources for that OR give us the option to buy private insurance for those who want and allow doctors to have their own hospitals for those who want. Let people choose.

Two days ago, i was reading in the GLOBE and MAIL newspaper, Edition of May 5th, about sending high-risk infants to the USA to find a bed. I also read that "more than 100 canadian women with high risk pregnancies have been sent to the US hospitals over the past year-in what a doctor's group attributes to the lack of a national birthing plan"

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...andHealth/home