abbierebecca

Hey! This is super useful, I think I now have a way round it but do you know how your friends mum ships the insulin over? Its just not supposed to go in the hold on a plane coz it could freeze and become useless, and it has to be kept refridgerated - that was my plan B that I couldn get around!
I cant tell a little white lie to the doctor because i just made a huge fuss to them this week!!! Haha oh well, all will work out. And worst case, I buy a couple of months' worth!

Aviator

Why would you not expect to pay for it in Canada? You want to come here on a working holiday, to your beenfit, then expect us, the Canadian taxpayers to pick up the bill because you don't want to pay for it?

You could always stay where you are and perhaps getting it for free.

abbierebecca

Its all sorted now so no need to get upset or angry! I get your point, I've grown up in a country where our health care system works well for the citizens. So maybe ive been spoilt by being able to get medication that keeps me alive!

Dorothy

See the highlighted part there? That's what you should be concentrating on. You're not a citizen of Canada - not even a resident! Why should you get free health care when you're essentially a visitor?

Would I, as a Canadian get free health care and medications in your country if I came over on a working holiday?

hayleyke

...If you pay into NI through your employer I believe you do? On the WHM visa anyway.

Also anyone, I think, is entitled to free emergency care. Not that I know a lot, but still. Medications, nah, obviously not.

Dorothy

The OP said he's not from UK.

hayleyke

Aw that's embarrassing I just assumed, given the forum, I should get more sleep, sorry!

abbierebecca

I believe, (not 100% sure about canada but i know this works for friends from other countries and ones more obscure!) is that as long as you register with a doctor while you're here (which you do for free as long as you're on some kind of visa and have insurance for emergencies) then you pay a maximum cost for any prescription of what works out to be less than $5
Give that a prescription covers 2 months and your working holiday visa would be a year, $30 for a year seems a lot more reasonable than somewhere between $3,500 and $4,500

Almost Canadian

So, the taxpayers in the UK have to pay for something that your mate is not prepared to pay for him/herself? Charming.

Almost Canadian

Good luck with that.

Aviator

Not in Canada.
1. It is next to impossible to get registered with a doctor, unless very lucky. You end up using walk in clinics.

2. Canadians have to pay for prescriptions (full price, unless they have insurance), registered with a doctor or not, so a visitor would be no exception.

3. To register and retain eligibility for medical services you have to be a resident of the province you are getting medical coverage from. Temporary absences excluded.

The $3500-$4500 the OP mentioned is more likely than $30, in Canada anyway.

abbierebecca

Notice that I was answering a question about how it would work if a Canadian came here. I realise I will not be paying $30 for a years medication in Canada - hence starting this thread (to find a way around spending $3,500+)... Anyway, as mentioned a couple of times I have found a way round it now

christmasoompa

Which is not far off the same as if you were working in Canada in a job with healthcare benefits. So basically, as a visitor it would be the same in either country.

A fraudulent way around it, yes. You're not entitled to prescription medicine in your home country unless you're resident there, which you won't be if you're living in Canada.

abbierebecca

It wont be fraudulent actually as the entire time I will be in Canada I am still self employed and running a business at home. Therefore paying NI at home while im in canada. Soooo... please dont call me fraudulent without the facts. From this thread and other research I am by far and away not the only person who has not paid for medication while living in the US/Canada.

christmasoompa

You're still not resident there, it doesn't matter if you're paying taxes or not. Not resident = not eligible for healthcare.

Whether you're the only person to do it or not doesn't make it right.