Access to prescription medication while waiting for PR

[CanadianInKorea]

Hello all,

I'm getting ready for my move back to Canada with my wife. We're currently in South Korea, but are coming to Ontario in July and have decided to apply for PR inland.

I have some questions about healthcare. I understand that OHIP coverage doesn't start until 3 months after becoming a permanent resident. However, since we're applying inland that could still be almost a year away.

My wife has signed up for a one-year travel insurance policy. I've read that a lot of these insurance policies will cover mental health needs, but I'm not sure how this works. My wife takes medication for depression/anxiety and I want to know if we will be able to access this type of medication in Ontario.

Will my wife be able to get a prescription for this type of medication in Canada? How would we go about doing this? Would it be prudent to get a note from her current doctor in South Korea?

I hope someone has some experience with this because I've been scouring the Internet trying to find an answer without much luck.

Cheers,

Bryan

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hello all,

I'm getting ready for my move back to Canada with my wife. We're currently in South Korea, but are coming to Ontario in July and have decided to apply for PR inland.

I have some questions about healthcare. I understand that OHIP coverage doesn't start until 3 months after becoming a permanent resident. However, since we're applying inland that could still be almost a year away.

My wife has signed up for a one-year travel insurance policy. I've read that a lot of these insurance policies will cover mental health needs, but I'm not sure how this works. My wife takes medication for depression/anxiety and I want to know if we will be able to access this type of medication in Ontario.

Will my wife be able to get a prescription for this type of medication in Canada? How would we go about doing this? Would it be prudent to get a note from her current doctor in South Korea?

I hope someone has some experience with this because I've been scouring the Internet trying to find an answer without much luck.

Cheers,

Bryan

Insurance policies will generally cover emergencies, not regular doctor visits.

She would just go to a clinic to get her prescription. She will have to pay for the doctor visit. Yes, she should have documentation of her condition from her doctor.

 

[Hurlabrick]

Travel insurance rarely cover pre-existing conditions and almost always has a high 'excess' (the amount you have to pay before they pay). You only recourse is a walk-in clinic in Canada (which you will have to pay for) and then get a prescription for the drugs in Canada (which you will also have to pay for). Yes, a note from her existing Doctor about her condition is an excellent idea.

 

[CanadianInKorea]

Hmm... Would it be beneficial to purchase private health insurance? I understand travel insurance is usually for emergencies, but would private insurance offset some of the costs of going to the doctor or buying prescription medication?

After researching some basic plans from Blue Cross and ManuLife, it seems that they don't cover preexisting mental conditions unless they're severe or there's an emergency. Obviously I wouldn't expect such a plan to cover prescriptions, but would there be any benefit in this?

 

[canuck78]

Hmm... Would it be beneficial to purchase private health insurance? I understand travel insurance is usually for emergencies, but would private insurance offset some of the costs of going to the doctor or buying prescription medication?

After researching some basic plans from Blue Cross and ManuLife, it seems that they don't cover preexisting mental conditions unless they're severe or there's an emergency. Obviously I wouldn't expect such a plan to cover prescriptions, but would there be any benefit in this?

Any plan would usually not cover routine Rx medication. Insurance companies are in the business of making money so they wouldn’t cover routine Rx medication or routine doctors visits unless you had some deluxe expensive international medical plan. Your wife can bring a 90 day supply of medication with her and otherwise her Rx medication and routine doctors visits will just have to be an expense you will have to plan for. If you have an extended benefit plan through your employer your wife will usually only qualify if she has her provincial health coverage already.