Type 1 Diabetic Planning to Emigrate from the UK to Toronto

[jamesmcginnis]

Hi,
My wife and myself are planning to emigrate from the UK to Toronto.

Here in the UK - if you have diabetes, the government pay for my wife's prescriptions of Novarapid and Levimir. (Type 1 diabetes)

Before we look into any other details about moving to Toronto, we really need to know what the price of her medication will cost us.

If anyone uses either (or both) of these medications, we would appreciate an approximate idea of how much it would cost us?

Many Thanks
James

[Lizzie G]

James,

Im British and live in UK and my partner is Canadian. Im almost 100% sure your prescriptions are free in Canada and dont rely on Health Insurance like in the States. I'll double check with him and let you know but Im pretty sure....

Lizzie

[SharpTail]

Your prescriptions are definitely not free in Ontario. You will need some private insurance for that, your other required Diabetes supplies such as syringes and test strips as well as dental coverage. Doctor appointments and any requirements for the use of hospitals including emergency is covered 100% by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). You should also check to see how long you will have to be here for the OHIP coverage to kick in.
I don't use Novorapid or Levemir so I can't tell you their costs. I do know that our medications and other supplies like test strips cost less that in the US.
Pat

[xMenace]

My 3 10ml vials of Humalog cost $100.47 cdn. My strips are $89.99 per 100. I'm in a different province, but costs should be similar.

Where will you be working? I suspect an employer bringing over a Brit would have a health care plan. They are pretty common here. These usually cover 80% of meds. If you are on your own, such as retired, there's little to know options.

[mike-munich]

Very interesting thread... My wife and I have talked about moving to Canada as well. Calgary area. I will retire from the Police force in about 10 years.

Can a T1 get a private insurance in Canada ? I will have enough money to not worry about working for the rest of my life. In Germany a diabetic can not get private insurance, only the govt. health care covers most of the cost.

BTW, we will be travelling in Canada for 3+ weeks in May next year. Suggestions ? I've never been "north of the border". :D

[HollyB]

If you are coming over with a job waiting, do check with your employer if they offer health benefits. My "supplementary health insurance" through work does not cover the cost of a pump, but covers 100% of my son's strips, insulin, and infusion sets as well as our other prescriptions and dental treatment. Each plan is different -- some cover 80% of everything, some have maximums, it's confusing.

Like Sharptail said, all doctor visits, tests and hospital treatment is free. But the drugs are not!

To check out Canadian prices, go to Diabetes Depot -- insulin pump supplies in Ontario, Canada (http://www.diabetesdepot.ca) and take a look around. I order our stuff from this guy and he's a little less expensive than some I think.

Ontario does has a program to cover prescription meds for those who can't afford them -- usually low-income families, but not necessarily if you need something really expensive. But you have to apply and provide info about your income etc., and they don't cover everything (for example, not pump supplies because there's a cheaper alternative available).

I hope it works out for you!

[karen36]

Best of luck to you i hear Canada is a great place, i am moving to Dubai in the summer and as you say i know nothing about the medical side over there, whether i have to pay etc. Hope it works out for you.

Karen

[xMenace]

Here's my provider. They offer personal plans, but I don't know the costs, benefits, not qualification criteria. They'd be similar to other Blue X groups across teh country. You can read as well as me ;)

Medavie Blue Cross - Personal Products (http://www.medavie.bluecross.ca/cs/ContentServer?c=ContentPage_P&pagename=MedavieCorporate%2FContentPage_P%2FOneCol umnFull&cid=1181930130122)

If you want, I can phone them for you and make an inquiry.

[xMenace]

BTW, we will be travelling in Canada for 3+ weeks in May next year. Suggestions ? I've never been "north of the border". :D

What do you want to see? We have everything but palm trees: tundra, mountains, plains, oceans, cities, and lotsa lakes and trees.

The National Parks could be a starting place. Kluane (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane/index_e.asp)is number 1 on my list to visit, but they are all great. I've been to a few. Some have more "entertainment" than others. Banff and Jasper offer a nice variety. Climb a mountain in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, and party all night. Places like Keji and Fundy are more outdoors oriented - tent required.

Wherever you go, be prepared for Bugs (Skeeters and Blackflies).


National Parks of Canada - Parks Canada (http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/recherche-search_e.asp?p=1)

[Injecto]

Can a T1 get a private insurance in Canada ?

Let's put it this way, money can buy you ANYTHING. So if money is not an issue and you don't mind a $6,000/year premium, you can definately get private insurance. Of course actual supplies out of pocket will cost you about $1500 on MDI and about $3000 on pump (NOT including cost of pump). So do the math on the insurance thing, hence why private insurance is a no go for most lay people.

[mike-munich]

What do you want to see? We have everything but palm trees: tundra, mountains, plains, oceans, cities, and lotsa lakes and trees.
The National Parks could be a starting place. Kluane (http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane/index_e.asp)is number 1 on my list to visit, but they are all great. I've been to a few. Some have more "entertainment" than others. Banff and Jasper offer a nice variety. Climb a mountain in the morning, play golf in the afternoon, and party all night. Places like Keji and Fundy are more outdoors oriented - tent required.
Wherever you go, be prepared for Bugs (Skeeters and Blackflies).
National Parks of Canada - Parks Canada (http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/recherche-search_e.asp?p=1)
LOL, thanks for the response. I guess I can go without palm trees for a while. Mountains, lakes, wide open spaces. That's my thing. I live in an overcrowded country, in a city with almost 2 million people. I want NATURE and as little "entertainment" as possible (still I prefer a Hotel/Motel over a tent. Did too much "camping" in the military...:D ) The NPs sound great, thanks for the link ! Kluane looks really good. Are the bugs already that bad in May ? We are planning on 3 1/2 weeks. Maybe flying to the Canadian east coast and then drive into the country. I have to check which airports offer non-stop service to Munich....
Let's put it this way, money can buy you ANYTHING. So if money is not an issue and you don't mind a $6,000/year premium, you can definately get private insurance. Of course actual supplies out of pocket will cost you about $1500 on MDI and about $3000 on pump (NOT including cost of pump). So do the math on the insurance thing, hence why private insurance is a no go for most lay people.
$500 a month shouldn't be an issue, if everything is covered. I'm paying €700 a month right now into the State plan. Do the math... I have to do some reseaching.... Canada is in the Commonwealth, the UK is in the European Union and the Commonwealth.... My retirement plan includes a medical plan that is good EU wide. Maybe they cover Canada too ? I have to do some checking...
Thanks ya'll for your input !

[xMenace]

Many people in Atlantic Canada travel via the USA, typically Bangor Maine, to save mucho dollars. It's a short 1.5hr drive to the border through the woods. Gander probably has direct connects. It's great if you want to drive across Newfoundland. Gros Morne is a stunning place to visit. St. John's is a very interesting fishing city. I've only flown across the rock, and it's like flying across the moon. I wouldn't want to drive it; though it sounds like you might. Halifax is the next Intl Airport, but it's not that busy. There might be a few trans-Atlantics. Montreal, Toronto, and I think Ottawa all have directs.

My favorite park might be Jasper. It's got the mountains and hiking and outdoor as far as you can see, it has nice places to stay and eat, but it's much quieter than Banff. Banff is the youth party center.

May is the worst month for bugs here. I don't know about up North though.

[mike-munich]

Thanks xMenace ! Newfoundland... Sounds good ! I always wanted to travel there one day. I had Newfoundland dog for over 14 years and always wanted to see where the breed is originally from.

I found the Canada Tourism website and have some info material sent to me. After all I need to get the OK from my wife as well... LOL

Banff is a youth party center ? I guess I'll pass on that then. :cool:

I'm a Lufthansa frequent flyer, so I will check which Canadian cities they offer as for direct flights. Going back to Texas all the time would have been half as bad without all the stopovers....

Thanks folks ! You are a great bunch.