Special Needs Children, Desperate for Help!

[mcd1203]

oh in the morning there is ususally about a 15min recess. then at lunchtime, they eat their lunches in their own classroom with their aids. when they are finished eating they get to go outside for recess with the other kids.

During the recess time outside their aids are usually with them.

[mamachka]

Ahh yes...thank you mcd1203...that sounds more like what he has now. Thank you for clearing things up!

[mamachka]

Bev Sorry for the typo of your name..I sometimes see "edit" and sometimes not!

[Oggy]

Hi mamachka

4- I am concerned because I have heard rumours regarding insurance or lack of in Canada for Internationals...we have insurance through my husband's job now, so I am confused how it will work if he will be with the same company and then we won't have insurance? Or is that different for people who are there with their jobs lined up ahead of time?

Although many provinces have their health care covered by taxes, BC is not one of them. You will have to pay monthly premiums based on your income level. The first 3 months after you arrive in BC aren't covered by the BC medical plan, but you can get coverage through companies such as Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross or Manulife for that short time period. If you arrive September 19th, for instance, that month would be considered your first month and you would become eligible December 1.

If your husband's company has a benefit plan, it will make these payments as part of his employment package. If he starts work soon after arriving, the company will submit the necessary paperwork on his behalf. Please see the quote below from the BCMSP website...

If you are applying for a self-administered MSP account, complete an Application for Enrollment form (see MSP Forms for ways to obtain a form) and send it to MSP. Copies of documents to support the name and Canadian citizenship or immigration status of the persons listed on your application may be required.

If MSP coverage is available through your employer, union or pension plan, contact that office for information and a group application form. Any existing self-administered account will be cancelled by MSP when your group application is processed.

Here's a link to BCMSP that will answer some of your questions:

MSP - Eligibility and Enrollment

Best of luck with your research!

[mamachka]

OK so now I am really confused as this contradicts so many different descriptions of what I have heard.

Like Auld Yin a collegue of my husband's recently told him he had a nasty break to a leg (in BC) and needed surgery ...there was an extensive stay and I believe physical therapy (anyone can feel free to jump in and confirm if PT is covered or not for the rehabillitation of an accident) and he said he paid nothing and....he also stated he never purchased insurance.

Is this a new development (or in recent years) that BC does not have health coverage through their taxes?

Thank you.

Originally Posted by Oggy

Hi mamachka

4- I am concerned because I have heard rumours regarding insurance or lack of in Canada for Internationals...we have insurance through my husband's job now, so I am confused how it will work if he will be with the same company and then we won't have insurance? Or is that different for people who are there with their jobs lined up ahead of time?

Although many provinces have their health care covered by taxes, BC is not one of them. You will have to pay monthly premiums based on your income level. The first 3 months after you arrive in BC aren't covered by the BC medical plan, but you can get coverage through companies such as Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross or Manulife for that short time period. If you arrive September 19th, for instance, that month would be considered your first month and you would become eligible December 1.

If your husband's company has a benefit plan, it will make these payments as part of his employment package. If he starts work soon after arriving, the company will submit the necessary paperwork on his behalf. Please see the quote below from the BCMSP website...

If you are applying for a self-administered MSP account, complete an Application for Enrollment form (see MSP Forms for ways to obtain a form) and send it to MSP. Copies of documents to support the name and Canadian citizenship or immigration status of the persons listed on your application may be required.

If MSP coverage is available through your employer, union or pension plan, contact that office for information and a group application form. Any existing self-administered account will be cancelled by MSP when your group application is processed.

Here's a link to BCMSP that will answer some of your questions:

MSP - Eligibility and Enrollment

Best of luck with your research!

[Bevdeforges]

Mamachka,
Reread what Oggy posted. There IS health care coverage in BC, but there seems to be a waiting period of 3 months after you get there and get installed. Your husband's colleague probably had been in BC for at least 3 months when he had his accident.

And having health care "through your taxes" depends a bit on your definition. It sounds as if health coverage is withheld from your paycheck (kind of like social security in the US). To some people, anything withheld from a paycheck is considered "taxes."

Dealing with a national (or government based) health care system after living in the US takes a while to understand and get used to. The coverage is different from what you're used to, but it sounds as if you are definitely covered for the whole family (and at a cost significantly less than what you're probably paying now in the US). You'll learn the system as you go.
Cheers,
Bev

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by Bevdeforges

Mamachka,
Reread what Oggy posted. There IS health care coverage in BC, but there seems to be a waiting period of 3 months after you get there and get installed. Your husband's colleague probably had been in BC for at least 3 months when he had his accident.

And having health care "through your taxes" depends a bit on your definition. It sounds as if health coverage is withheld from your paycheck (kind of like social security in the US). To some people, anything withheld from a paycheck is considered "taxes."

Dealing with a national (or government based) health care system after living in the US takes a while to understand and get used to. The coverage is different from what you're used to, but it sounds as if you are definitely covered for the whole family (and at a cost significantly less than what you're probably paying now in the US). You'll learn the system as you go.
Cheers,
Bev

Healthcare in Canada is a Provincial matter so each Province manages theirs as they see fit, but under a Federal Government mandate. Some Provinces exact healthcare premiums but they are minimal in most cases. Such premiums would, in no way, cover the full costs of providing universal healthcare, hence covered from taxes. For BC go to MSP - Premiums for details of premiums there. The premiums are on a sliding scale so some pay less because of reduced income.

[Oggy]

Thank you, Bev, for your further explanation of my post!

[mamachka]

Thank you for your replies Auld Yin, Bev & Oggy!