Asthmatic Looking for Information

[NevilleUK]

Hi all,

I'm after a bit of medical advice please. Well, not medical advice, but advice on the health care system in Canada please. My good lady and I are currently in the process of applying to emigrate and live in Edmonton, AB. I have asthma and due to this I use a preventative inhaler every day. In the UK our prescriptions are heavily subsidised by the NHS, but looking online I see that drugs are much more expensive in Canada. Is there any kind of financial help given to people who are on long term medication, or would I have to pay the full amount every time I buy my inhalers. I saw on one website that the inhaler I use costs around $85 per time.

Also, it is my understanding that health care to point of the treatment is free in Canada. Is this the case, and at what point does the patient start paying. Does the patient pay for operations?

Any advice on this would be great.

Many thanks.

Neville.

[Leon]

Medication is not covered by health care in Canada but the prices are regulated so they are not quite as expensive as they are in the US for example.  If you or your wife are planning on working, most employers will offer a supplementary health care plan which covers a large portion of the price of your medication, usually from 70 to 90%.  The supplementary health care plan might be covered completely by the employer but you often pay a portion of it.  Around $40 a month seem to be pretty common from what I have heard.  If you do not have such a plan with your employer, you can get one from a private party such as Blue Cross.

Going to the doctor is covered in Canada.  There is a shortage of GP's in many areas but there are walk-in clinics you can go to instead.  You do not get to see a specialist unless you have a referral but it is also covered.  Lab tests, x-rays and operations are also covered.  Hospital stays are covered.  The only thing you might pay for at the doctors is if you need a medical form filled out for a reason like say for a job or you want the GP to fill out a form for example in order to get unemployment insurance sickness benefits, they might charge for that.  One problem with the system is that it can take some time to get an appointment with a specialist but they will squeeze you in if you have a serious problem.  There are also waiting lists for some surgeries.  An ambulance will cost you, medication will cost you and if you end up in a hospital, you might have to pay extra if you want a TV or if you want a single room.  That is pretty much it.

[NevilleUK]

Thanks very much for the information, Leon. I had searched online for such information, but you've given me way more information than I could find before. You've also put my mind at ease about health care costs. I was getting a bit worried that I would be spending a fortune on medication.

Your help is much appreciated. Many thanks.

Neville.