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Getting Pediatrician for New Born moving from US

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
53,053
12,795
Thank you this is very helpful.
My wife and I already have MSP but no GP/family-doctor. We only needed care once (got covid) and just walked in to a clinic and paid ourselves for the visit (was before we qualified for MSP).What would be the best way in your experience to find a GP
Has you wife been living permanently in Canada? If not when has she been living in Canada? To access healthcare she both needs a valid health card and to meet the residency requirement to qualify for MSP.
 

ryeCatcher

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2019
470
106
Has you wife been living permanently in Canada? If not when has she been living in Canada? To access healthcare she both needs a valid health card and to meet the residency requirement to qualify for MSP.
Yes she was living here with me until very recently she moved back to Bellingham for third trimester and delivery since she feels more comfortable with her original OBGYN, cmplicated situation... she has MSP, healthcard etc but no GP/family-doctor. We tried calling around a bit and gave up initially after a few weeks. But with infant we want to at least have some doctor in Canada (willing to take private insurance for the baby) since crossing-border and traveling is not feasible with baby everytime for an appointment.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
40,427
8,331
Yes she was living here with me until very recently she moved back to Bellingham for third trimester and delivery since she feels more comfortable with her original OBGYN, cmplicated situation... she has MSP, healthcard etc but no GP/family-doctor. We tried calling around a bit and gave up initially after a few weeks. But with infant we want to at least have some doctor in Canada (willing to take private insurance for the baby) since crossing-border and traveling is not feasible with baby everytime for an appointment.
Having private health insurance in Canada would not cover routine check-ups, as that would be covered by provincial healthcare. You may want to look into private nurse practitioners who you visit for a fee. Or look at private health clinics if you are willing to pay thousands. There is private healthcare in Canada but you have to search for it. I can only speak for Ontario but I know so many people without a family doctor. Most I know wait an average of 3 years.
 
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steaky

VIP Member
Nov 11, 2008
14,335
1,637
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Yes she was living here with me until very recently she moved back to Bellingham for third trimester and delivery since she feels more comfortable with her original OBGYN, cmplicated situation... she has MSP, healthcard etc but no GP/family-doctor. We tried calling around a bit and gave up initially after a few weeks. But with infant we want to at least have some doctor in Canada (willing to take private insurance for the baby) since crossing-border and traveling is not feasible with baby everytime for an appointment.
Not sure why it's not feasible for traveling to Bellingham for appointment.

Like if someone who lives in Maple Ridge and had to go to Vancouver General hospital for appointment versus someone who lives in South Surrey and drive to Bellingham.
 
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canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
53,053
12,795
Yes she was living here with me until very recently she moved back to Bellingham for third trimester and delivery since she feels more comfortable with her original OBGYN, cmplicated situation... she has MSP, healthcard etc but no GP/family-doctor. We tried calling around a bit and gave up initially after a few weeks. But with infant we want to at least have some doctor in Canada (willing to take private insurance for the baby) since crossing-border and traveling is not feasible with baby everytime for an appointment.
It sounds as though she is not be entitled to MSP. Is she living permanently in Bellingham Washington? If that is the case she isn’t entitled to MSP at all. She could be asked to pay back all healthcare she used when she was not entitled and is actually committing healthcare fraud. If she has been living in the US and moves to BC she may be required to reapply for MSP depending on how long she spent outside Canada. How long was she in the US? This is to prevent people returning to Canada to primarily access healthcare and ensure that mostly taxpayers are the ones accessing healthcare. Are you both going to be living in Canada longterm after having your child. When your child is born and you apply for MSP you have to agree that your child will be meeting the residency requirement to qualify to receive MSP. In general to access healthcare in Canada you have to have a valid health card and meet the residency requirement.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp/bc-residents/eligibility-and-enrolment/are-you-eligible
 

ryeCatcher

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2019
470
106
Having private health insurance in Canada would not cover routine check-ups, as that would be covered by provincial healthcare. You may want to look into private nurse practitioners who you visit for a fee. Or look at private health clinics if you are willing to pay thousands. There is private healthcare in Canada but you have to search for it. I can only speak for Ontario but I know so many people without a family doctor. Most I know wait an average of 3 years.
Thank you I will take a look, appreciate the pointer
 

ryeCatcher

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2019
470
106
It’s been like this for awhile . Should not be any surprise for anyone moving to Canada . Part of their research in moving to a new country
We had some sense of how bad it was I have friends and family living here well before we moved. But things have gotten much worse, my friend who is expecting here in Burnaby she took 6 months of pregnancy before she got an OBGYN assigned. Managed with just walk in until then :(
 

ryeCatcher

Hero Member
Apr 21, 2019
470
106
Not sure why it's not feasible for traveling to Bellingham for appointment.

Like if someone who lives in Maple Ridge and had to go to Vancouver General hospital for appointment versus someone who lives in South Surrey and drive to Bellingham.
The problem is the border, neither my wife nor I have nexus and the baby won't either :D ... which means hour+ waits unless traveling before 8AM on most days. Thats really not ideal with a baby in my opinion
 

foodie69

Champion Member
Dec 18, 2015
2,958
886
The problem is the border, neither my wife nor I have nexus and the baby won't either :D ... which means hour+ waits unless traveling before 8AM on most days. Thats really not ideal with a baby in my opinion
Does the baby need a doctor every day? If not, you worry too much..
 
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