How healthcare for diabetics works in Canada?

[Guest]

So I’m an American and am very curious with how healthcare for diabetics works in Canada. Are there any Canadians on here willing to explain what the pros and cons are to you?

[Stuart]

I used to live in Canada (Montreal) now I live in America (New York). I have now and have always had good insurance through work in both countries, no comparison between the 2! Canadian system simply works better as a diabetic.

I can’t believe the hoops we have to jump through in America!

[Michael]

In Montreal, and I’m covered for everything, mostly through my work insurance. A bottle of humalog costs 39. Dollars with or without insurance! I cringe when I hear your horror stories about diabetics who can’t afford supplies.

Something very wrong.

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[Hollis]

Friggin’ Cambodia is easier than USA to get meds.

[Angie]

I’m in Saskatchewan and there is a pump program - not sure about it I’m still on MDI. Children get free cgm under provincial care. All doctor appointments and blood work is covered.

Usually you see an endo yearly and talk to an educator yearly, usually every 6 months. Libre 2 is just over 200 a month for me.

My province has low income prescription drug help and then I have blue cross for everything but drug coverage but have diabetic items (my libre) is covered at 100% - got this insurance before diagnosis and only pay about $50 monthly and then I also have insurance from work that helps cover my drug costs but doesn’t have great coverage for diabetic supplies.

[Nicole]

Without insurance my cost is 400$ to 500$ a month. I eat low carb on days I have to stretch my budget. Get a job with good pay or coverage.

[Sebastien]

I'm in Canada, I don’t have insurance. I can go to any pharmacy whether it be Walmart, shoppers drug mart and buy as many test strips at any time over the counter without prescription and I can buy as much insulin at anytime over the counter without prescription. 100 test strips runs at 86$ and 5 humalog Kwikpens around $90 and 5 basaglar kwikpens around $100.

I’m in Ontario where there are programs to help even farther if I wanted to get a pump or a freestyle without much burden to myself I’ve been told.

Hospital visits which I’ve only had one 3 day stint in ICU- no cost directly to myself but payed for through us, the taxpayers.

[Kendra]

Pretty much as others have said after you turn 18 you get zilch for coverage. Though each province does have an insulin pump program that has different qualifications and coverage. Speaking from Alberta Curently the pump program. Once excepted you do get a new pump every five years and you get 100 days worth of supplies each hundred days. But you will need to cover the cost of insulin and a metre if you don’t have one.

In Alberta I was always under my father’s insurance plan, which had amazing coverage for diabetics close. Otherwise we were paying out-of-pocket.

I will like to mention Insulin is a lot cheaper you do not need a prescription for it if you go to a pharmacy here I believe the generic cost of Nova Rapid bottle is about $35/ $40.  doctors/lab and endocrinologist visits are covered though under Alberta health services.

It would best to be look into what each province covers as it does vastly change province to province.

[Tyler]

In Ontario, Canada, Everything is covered 100% for anyone under 18, all doctor visits, dexcom systems, insulin, insulin pumps and daily nurse visits at school.

After the age of 18, I do not believe the government covers anything other than doctor visits. You would need to have medical coverage through employer for any prescriptions.

[Darryl]

I'm in BC. I have Dexcom also. My bills are under 1000$ for the year for all my insulin amd supplies.

Government covers most the Dexcom and insurance pays the rest. Same with my insulin, most of its covered. Just some of the supplies I pay for.