[Tokyo Cate]

I just returned to Victoria after living overseas for several years. To qualify for Medicare, there is a waiting period of two full months (meaning it is in your best interest to return near the end of the the month rather than the beginning to shorten the waiting period). Once you have completed the waiting period, in British Columbia, the premiums are $54 per month, paid in advance.

To qualify for prescription drug benefits in British Columbia (the PharmaCare program) you must first file a tax return for the previous year, so have statements of income, etc. available so that you are able to do that as quickly as possible.

Once you qualify for Medicare, all medically necessary services are covered, though not alternative therapies like massage and the like. Dental care is not covered unless it is a service that must be performed in a hospital (like emergency extraction of wisdom teeth, for example).

There are long waiting lists in Canada, so when I first returned, I got an appointment with my family doctor and had her make referrals for after my coverage kicked in for those things that could wait. If you require any medical services prior to the end of the waiting period, you are responsible for 100% of the costs which add up quite quickly so if it is possible to arrange for private insurance to cover that period, do that.

All the best on your return to Canada. I am sure you can get more information about the national and provincial health care benefits on their websites.