Medical care for infant in Canada - Moving from US

[sidharth075]

Posted this a few minutes back but somehow it didn’t get posted.

My wife and I are currently in the US and we have a Canadian PR. Our baby was born in the US after we already got our PR. We will be moving to Toronto soon and we understand that we will have to apply for our baby’s PR once we move and that her PR might take a year or so to get approved. We are ok buying private health insurance for our baby for that duration. My questions are:

1) Any other folks who have moved to Canada in a similar situation? I’d like to know if you have recommendations on which private health insurance to buy.

2) Since my child is only 5 months old, I do anticipate frequent doctor’s visits. We have heard many horror stories of Canadian healthcare about not getting quick appointments with pediatricians, not getting accepted as patients without referrals from primary care doctors, waiting months for specialist appointments etc. In the US, our child receives excellent healthcare. We always have same-day appointments available with her pediatrician, on call nurses 24X7, hardly any wait times to see specialists. I would like to hear from folks who have moved to Canada from the US to understand how the healthcare in Canada compares to the US For infants. Specifically any recommendations for good pediatricians in the Greater Toronto area?

Thanks!

 

[august_leo]

We moved to Ottawa in August this year and have a similar situation (kid born in US after our PR got activated). We purchased travel insurance from Manulife for him. Regarding second question, you are right that you won't get any quick appointments here in Canada unlike in the USA. We still didnt have luck finding a family doctor for us here. Imagine! Twice, we had to take our toddler to ER and had an arduous wait of 7 hours. Even walk-in clinics near our locality need prior appointments to be taken and we had no luck getting one whenever he was sick. But we knew about this situation beforehand and if you go to any European country with free healthcare, you will have similar experience. Also, we got his free vaccinations and no questions/insurance was asked. Check Ontario website for vaccination information.

Do we wish we have better healthcare access (get treated upon paying money like in US)? Sure, we do. Do we think that Canada healthcare system is bad? Nah, we don't think so . Perhaps, not yet. Since healthcare is free, everyone in Canada has equal access to it and therefore, care is prioritized upon triaging the situation. If the triaging doctors determine that your kid is not really in emergency, you will have to wait although he/she will be treated well for sure. I believe GTA has better healthcare options. Sorry, I don't have any references to help you with on that front.

Good luck with your move.

 

[sidharth075]

We moved to Ottawa in August this year and have a similar situation (kid born in US after our PR got activated). We purchased travel insurance from Manulife for him. Regarding second question, you are right that you won't get any quick appointments here in Canada unlike in the USA. We still didnt have luck finding a family doctor for us here. Imagine! Twice, we had to take our toddler to ER and had an arduous wait of 7 hours. Even walk-in clinics near our locality need prior appointments to be taken and we had no luck getting one whenever he was sick. But we knew about this situation beforehand and if you go to any European country with free healthcare, you will have similar experience. Also, we got his free vaccinations and no questions/insurance was asked. Check Ontario website for vaccination information.

Do we wish we have better healthcare access (get treated upon paying money like in US)? Sure, we do. Do we think that Canada healthcare system is bad? Nah, we don't think so . Perhaps, not yet. Since healthcare is free, everyone in Canada has equal access to it and therefore, care is prioritized upon triaging the situation. If the triaging doctors determine that your kid is not really in emergency, you will have to wait although he/she will be treated well for sure. I believe GTA has better healthcare options. Sorry, I don't have any references to help you with on that front.

Good luck with your move.

Thank you so much for your response! Did the Manulife travel insurance for your child cover the ER costs?

I wish you the best for your new start in Canada too! Was able to get some pediatrician recommendations for the GTA area from some friends. So we’ll see how it goes.

 

[august_leo]

Thank you so much for your response! Did the Manulife travel insurance for your child cover the ER costs?

I wish you the best for your new start in Canada too! Was able to get some pediatrician recommendations for the GTA area from some friends. So we’ll see how it goes.

We are yet to receive the bill. I am guessing I will have to pay only the deductible.

 

[BeatleManiac]

Hi,
My husband and I are in the same boat! We are moving to Ontario in the coming months, and have a 10 month old son. Since he has routine appointments in the US at month 12, 15, 18, we'd like to continue that in Canada, while we wait for our OHIP. Can you please share how you scheduled routine appointments and got a pediatrician for your kids as well? Thanks very much!

 

[canuck78]

Hi,
My husband and I are in the same boat! We are moving to Ontario in the coming months, and have a 10 month old son. Since he has routine appointments in the US at month 12, 15, 18, we'd like to continue that in Canada, while we wait for our OHIP. Can you please share how you scheduled routine appointments and got a pediatrician for your kids as well? Thanks very much!

In Canada paediatricians are usually reserved for sick children and GPs see the whole family. Same routine vaccine schedule as the US but you can google the Canadian version. You’ll need to call a GP and ask whether they take cash payments or book an appointment at a walk-in clinic.

 

[BeatleManiac]

Thank you very much @canuck78!

 

[canuck78]

Thank you very much @canuck78!

If you are able to secure a GP I would ask if they will take your child as a private patient and transition to ohip covered.

 

[JancyDriimy]

If you urgently need to make an appointment with a pediatrician, you can do it in Canada. Doctors are not so bad here, especially those who work with children. I'm telling you this as a person living in Canada for more than 10 years. And there are a lot of good people in Canada who can help you. For example, recently, my grandfather was diagnosed with dementia. I urgently needed to find him a caregiver because he needs constant care, and I can't give it to him because of work. And the only option that I found is to hire a caregiver from https://homecareassistance.com/palm-beach. Fortunately, I'm doing well now! And you will be fine -- the main thing is to act. Good luck.

 

[canuck78]

Hi, suppose you urgently need to make an appointment with a pediatrician. In that case, you can do it in Canada, and doctors are not so bad. Believe me, especially those who work with children, I'm telling you this as a person living in Canada for more than 10 years.

Most paediatricians only see children with serious health issues not everyday cold, flys, bumps and bruises. You see a GP.