Health care

OK health care here is expensive. Like everyone I purchased my health insurance before I arrived and I declared my pre-existing illness before I arrived so everything was in order. 3 weeks into my stay in Vancouver, I got ill and needed to visit a doctor. $120 and then my prescription was about $30. A few days later I was no better this time the visit was free. But as my condition worsened over the weekend I panicked. I have been in this situation back home in Ireland and hospital is usually where I end up so I was hoping this would not be the case. There is a great nurse helpline and its open 24 hours a day and free to call, the phone number for BC Nurse is 604-215-4700 or 811. They will ask for some details and give you great advice. Unfortunately for me she suggested I go to the emergency clinic which cost me $150. On Sunday morning I had no choice but to go to A&E. I would only recommend this if you are in a really serious situation or have broken a bone because it cost me $760. So I could put up with the bad pain or pay and I chose to pay. Now what I didn't know was that I should have asked for a medical report once I was finished. This will help speed up your claim with your insurance company. So every time you visit a doctor or specialist or hospital ask for a medical report for your insurance, I was admitted in November and I am still waiting on my payback from the insurance company due to the fact the hospital have not sent the reports.
I will say I got great care, maybe because the nurse was from Ireland but everyone apart from the admissions receptionist was lovely. I went to Vancouver General Hospital as it was recommended and luckily my wait was not as long as if I had been in Ireland.
So you can apply for a BC Care Card, its like a medical card and if you have this it means no more paying ridiculous amounts of money for hospitals and doctors.

This is what is on the website in relation to those on a working holiday visa:

I’m on a working holiday program – what do I need to send to apply for coverage?

Persons on a working holiday program need to have:

• a working permit valid for at least six consecutive months or more,
• must be staying in British Columbia for at least six consecutive months, and
• be working a minimum of 18 hours per week.

To apply for coverage, those with a valid working permit on a working holiday program must submit the Application for Enrolment form with both of the following items to determine eligibility:

1. Confirmation of employment in British Columbia with:
• a copy of your employment contract indicating full-time status or the number of hours worked per week, OR
• a letter from your employer stating the date employment started and expected to end, and indicate full-time status or the number of hours worked per week.
2. Departure date from British Columbia.

You can apply for this before the 3 months, I only found this out last week (I am coming up to my 3 month anniversary this Saturday).

I cant comment on if this works for dental care. 

Now for those needing a doctor, I have paid everything from $120 to $150 but luckily before Christmas I found a clinic that charged $60 and they actually did more for me than the others. Where is it you ask. 

Its Broadway Station Medical Clinic and they are located on 2516 Commercial Drive Phone NO 604-872-5377. Make sure you have photo ID when registering. 

There is alot of walk in clinics and it can be hard to get the same doctor but hopefully you wont be sick too much to need to visit them all that often.

Hope this helps.