Vancouver BC Health Insurance?

[lyko]

Hello,

After 18 years abroad, i returned to Canada, Vancouver BC. I went to the Canadian Offices and they told me I have to fill out a form for the obligatory health insurance, but they also told me that it takes
approx three months until it gets activated. Ok fine, but what for the three months until then? What if i break a leg or whatever in these three months?

What can I do to get a health insurance for this three months?
Also I could'nt ready anywhere what all is covered by the obligatory health/medical insurance?
And is there a difference between health and medical insurance?

Thank you

[Leon]

Go to an insurance broker and tell them you need an accident/emergency insurance for 3 months.  Kind of like travel insurance but while staying in Canada.  I am sure they can sell you one. 

You might find some info on BC health website or your GP can tell you once you have the insurance but generally in Canada, necessary medical visits and treatments are fully covered.  Say you cut yourself and get stitches, you are covered, say you break a leg, covered, say you get appendicitis and need to be operated on, covered, say you have back problems and go to your GP and get referred to a specialist, covered, GP sends you to a lab for blood tests or for x-rays, covered.

Physiotherapy is covered in some provinces to a point.  Medication is not covered unless you are in a hospital when you get them.  Dental is not covered.  Vision care not covered.

Many employers offer supplementary health, actually it is often mandatory if you work for that employer, no opt-out.  You might pay a little, maybe $40 a month or something and for that you get a large percentage of your medication and dental covered and maybe some physio, massage therapy, acupuncture and things like that and maybe vision care and hearing aids as well.  If your employer does not offer supplementary insurance, you can buy your own but there is likely a waiting period until you get coverage or a contract because lets face it, they would not make money if they let you enrol for a month, get all your teeth fixed and then cancel it again.

[lyko]

but generally in Canada, necessary medical visits and treatments are fully covered.  Say you cut yourself and get stitches, you are covered, say you break a leg, covered, say you get appendicitis and need to be operated on, covered, say you have back problems and go to your GP and get referred to a specialist, covered, GP sends you to a lab for blood tests or for x-rays, covered.

This is after the three months waiting time yes? So after I've got the obligatory health insurance all the things above are covered without any additional insurances?

[Leon]

Yes, that is right.  After you get your BC health that is all covered.  BC health will also cover you if you are in other provinces in Canada but if you move, you must register for health insurance in your new province. 

[haver]

In the future regarding new comers to Canada contact me directly.
I am selling medical insurance for new immigrants.
I hope I am able to answer all your questions and help to choose the best apropriate plan for you.
You can also easy to check it by yourself here http://www.arbetovinsurance.com/visitorstocanada
In case the website is out of service you can check it here http://arbetov.ca/canada-travel-insurance
Good luck!