Hi all

I'm hoping someone might be able to give me advice or point me in the right directon!

I've been lucky enough to get a Canadian work visa which will allow me to work in Canada for up to a year, I'm so excited and am leaving on 23rd June. The only problem is now finding insurance that will cover me! A lot of insurance companies don't cover for pre existing medical conditions but the one I have found which is best to cover me for all the activities i will be doing etc. They say they do not cover for anything relating directly or indirectly to the arthritis, so of course I am aware that I would not be covered for medication or doctors appointments etc but then if i have an accident they might try and link this to arthtritis so would o be covered anyway? in which case no point going with them.
Does anyone know of any good insurance companies that cover for RA and also for wintersports?!

on a seperate note. Does anyone know how the health care in Canada works for visitors who need to get seen/get medication as i'm starting to get a little woried I'm not going to be able to get my medication or blood tests at this rate.

Would really appreciate if anyone has expereinced this or knows how it all works, been looking on the web all afternoon and it's all confusing me now.

Thanks,

Nicky x

Hi Nicky

I know the Canadian health care system is insurance based and differs between provinces. Dental treatment, ophthalmology, and prescriptions are all private and not covered by the insurance, but I don't know about regular blood tests.

We were invited to stay with relatives in Vancouver a few years ago but I was unable to 'buy' the Enbrel there and couldn't take it with me because of transportation problems so we were unable to go. I guess you will need to take a letter from your doctor with your diagnosis and current medication (and a two month supply) and then get in touch with a doctor as soon as you arrive. Some of our meds aren't available in Canada but they do have others that aren't licensed here. Presumably they would organise this for you but it may be different.

Wintersports and existing conditions is a difficult one! My experience of finding even holiday insurance for two weeks in Europe has been fraught with worry because of the surgery I've had, the treatment I'm receiving and the surgery I'm waiting for!!! I've got insurance but it excludes anything related directly or indirectly to the RA; you can ask for its inclusion, most will do it but at a premium. Wintersports? With RA? Hmmm .....

As Doreen suggests the Embassy will perhaps be able to advise.

Sounds a fab opportunity and I hope you are able to get it all sorted; gosh only a month to wait, how exciting

Lyn x

Hi

Thanks for the advise, and thanks Dorat for finding those websites I'm just having a look now.

Yes I think i am going to have to sign up with a doctor as soon as i get there, its unfortunate but even though i'm going with an English organisation that has links to a Canadian partner org it is so hard to find the info i need before I go!

I've today found a couple that do provide cover for RA but only in terms of emergency medical treatment not for prescriptions or anything so i'm just going to have to make sure I take lots of spare cash to pay for all this.

Like you say Lyn this is a great opportunity and i cannot let RA stop me now!

I have recently gont onto methotrexate injections but wonder if it's just going to be a pain having to carry them in handluggage, get doctors note and sharps bin etc, i'm thinking of going back onto tablets just for easiness.

as for wintersports this is my passion, i thought when I found out last year that I had RA that I would never be able to ski again but i proved at xmas that i could cope in the snow, so i'm just hoping the harsh winters in Canada will not stop me being able to keep my hobby up!

I'll let you know how i get on with getting decent insurnance cover. It is making my brain hurt now all these policies and small print to read!

Thanks x