Canadian input needed | Arthritis Information

 

My company is considering moving some of us from the US to Canada.  How would it work for a US citizen with US health insurance to be in the Canadian health care system?  Would I have to wait a long time for an appointment with a Rheumy?  How about my Humira that I am currently on?  Would I need to redo all that or would my US insurance cover everything.

Any insights would be appreciated. 

Snoopy

Hi Snoopy,
I'm Canadian and I can't answer any of your questions, but I suggest you
contact Canada Immigration as they may have some answers for you. As for
how long you will have to wait to see a rheumy, you need to ask whatever
rheumy you'll be seeing! What part of Canada are you moving to? And
welcome, in advance.Here....I found this page for you

http://
www.cic.gc.ca/english/newcomers/fact_health.asp

It also occurs to me that your HR person should be able to answer some of
your questions for you.

Thanks.  That link seems to be for permanent residents.  I will be there for 2-3 years on a temporary work permit.  Here I can get in to see my rheumy very quickly, didn't know what the wait times are in Canada, Alberta to be specific.

At this time, I don't want to get our HR department involved, this is just prelim work.

Snoopy

Well, I guess you could phone either immigration or Health Canada. I'm sure
they deal with those questions all the time as Canada has many visitting
workers. My guess off the top of my head would be you would have to be
covered from your employers private health insurance. It might take a while
to establish yourself with a rheumy, but once you are you should have fairly
reasonable access. Good luck with the move. Alberta is not my favouritist
province but there is a lot of money to be made there!
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