I have scheduled a medical exam and it is in a few days and I am extremely nervous about it because I have a fear of doctors and especially needs. I know there is a blood test and I think I can make it through. Are there any other procedures involving needles or anything else uncomfortable? Please describe your experience.
Also, just wondering when I get PR status, how long until after that would I be able to have health care? I am applying from outside of Canada (from the US) on family class (husband is Canadian citizen by birth).
Thanks!
It depends on what you consider uncomfortable. Urine test, blood test, the rest is mostly like a physical. Some slightly mental, but more of a coordination thing. Memory test. Nothing big.
Once you have landed, you will be able to apply for the health card after you have physically lived in Canada for three months.
Sometimes the medical depends on the DMP - how they work it
What is the same across the board is blood test, urine test & chest x-ray
Everyone's medical will be slightly different depending on their answers to questions and their medical history.
On my first medical - they insisted I have a pap, my second one, it wasn't even mentioned. My first medical they did a "hearing" test (the assistant said a few words while covering her mouth with a sheet of paper) - on the second medical, that did not happen.
There are standard questions the DMP has to ask from a form, which everyone has to answer
Both of my medicals were done at the same DMP office (they have 2 different DMPs)
As far as health care, depends on the province - most have a 3 month waiting period (or there abouts*) - Alberta I believe is the only province where you begin on day #1.
*In BC - it is 90 days max. It's the balance of the month you land in, and 2 full months after that. For example - if you land on April 1 - you begin on July 1. If you land on April 30, you begin on July 1, if you land on May 17 - you being on Aug 1.
If you leave the province (BC) for more than 30 days within the first 6 months (I believe) that can affect your eligibility. It really is province and circumstance specific (IE - if you're pregnant for example)
No cookie cutter answer to that one really
You should apply as soon as you land though, don't wait until you are eligible to apply
Probably just one blood draw . . . yeah, a needle, just one.
Otherwise, as everyone has said, it is pretty routine, urine sample, lots of medical history questions, a chest x-ray, some physical examining but that is of course dependent on the DMP conducting the exam. I think I recall that it was a little more intrusive than I was expecting, but the only needle was the one blood draw.
Most provinces (it varies some) do not provide covered health care until a specified waiting period past actually settling in the province . . . and in a province like Ontario, that is dependent on the date of landing. There may be additional requirements. For example, Ontario requires you to physically be in Ontario 150 of the first 180 days to retain eligibility.
Mine included a neurological because I had a brain injury in '91. Mostly just a prolonged memory test.
The doctor I went to just asked me if I had problems with anything. He listened to my heart and pressed on my stomach and that was it, besides the other tests already described here. He didn't say anything about a pap or neurologal exam or anything.
My wife had all the above plus a breast exam. I guess they get to decide what they want to do and there is no procedure set out except for minimums like blood, x-ray and urine.
I had weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rate measured. Eye test (Im sure i failed that lol I need GLASSES!!!!), Hearing test (she covered her mouth with a piece of paper and said letters and numbers for me to repeat). All this was done by a Nurse. Then I went into the exam room and the Doctor came in and asked questions about my medical history. Strangly he asked about what kind of Job I wanted... He did ask how recent my last PAP was in a way that seemed to imply that if i hadnt had one in a while he would do one... but didnt specifically say it.. it was kind of vague. The way he asked the question it was vague enough for me to just say yes. (that ive had a PAP reasonabley recently and it came out fine). In truth my last PAP was probably about 8 years ago. He then checked my breasts and my stomach. Then my reflexes. He checked my glands and then they gave me a paper to go to another floor for a urine test and to have blood drawn.
(Im opposite most people, the blood needle doesnt bother me but i HATE giving urine tests! Its so demeaning! Having to walk around an office holding a cup of your own pee for everyone to see. To me they might as well parade me around naked. idk im just wierd i guess.) But this is getting off track...
Next they sent me to a place half way across the city to get chest xrays done. I did that and it was over. The whole day of fun cost me about 200 dollars.
Did the medical today and it wasn't too bad. Here is my experience for others wondering....
Made appointment about 6 weeks ago (took place inside Canada even though I am applying from without). I took 6 immigration sized photos and gave them to the receptionist at paid $175 for the doctor fee plus $50 courier fee to have results delivered to US since I am applying outside (family class). The nurse took my height, weight, checked blood pressure. Walked down the hall and did a simple eye chart test. Then doctor came in and I gave the doctor a medical form I brought with me (#3910 Appendix C). We went through all paperwork which he provided. Basically just went through a list of ailments one by one and asked if I had any previous issues and if there was any family history. Also one question was about occupation and asked about alcohol and drug use. Asked when my last PAP test was (fyi seems if less than a year he would have wanted one done, otherwise asked if results were normal and not necessary to do another test, did not ask for proof or anything). Asked me to touch toes to test flexibility and look at spine. Doctor gave me a gown, left, I took off clothes but left underwear on, he came back in and poked at my stomach, did a breast exam, and checked my legs, knees, and hips for flexibility. I got dressed then met him on his office. He was working on paperwork, had me sign a few forms to give permission to release results of tests. Gave me an order for blood work, urine test, and chest xray.
I left to have lunch then came back to the lab for tests. I paid the cashier $238 for the visit. Took urine test (pee in a cup). Then went for chest X ray. I had to change into gown and stand for x ray. Then the blood test, my least favorite part, but got through it with the help of a nice technician.
Left and celebrated!
If you have any questions let me know.
Go get your $50 back.
Your results are going to Ottawa, yes - even if you do an outland application.
Seriously, get your money back
Glad you survived the blood work :)
turtles1981 Wrote:Did the medical today and it wasn't too bad. Here is my experience for others wondering....
Made appointment about 6 weeks ago (took place inside Canada even though I am applying from without). I took 6 immigration sized photos and gave them to the receptionist at paid $175 for the doctor fee plus $50 courier fee to have results delivered to US since I am applying outside (family class). The nurse took my height, weight, checked blood pressure. Walked down the hall and did a simple eye chart test. Then doctor came in and I gave the doctor a medical form I brought with me (#3910 Appendix C). We went through all paperwork which he provided. Basically just went through a list of ailments one by one and asked if I had any previous issues and if there was any family history. Also one question was about occupation and asked about alcohol and drug use. Asked when my last PAP test was (fyi seems if less than a year he would have wanted one done, otherwise asked if results were normal and not necessary to do another test, did not ask for proof or anything). Asked me to touch toes to test flexibility and look at spine. Doctor gave me a gown, left, I took off clothes but left underwear on, he came back in and poked at my stomach, did a breast exam, and checked my legs, knees, and hips for flexibility. I got dressed then met him on his office. He was working on paperwork, had me sign a few forms to give permission to release results of tests. Gave me an order for blood work, urine test, and chest xray.
I left to have lunch then came back to the lab for tests. I paid the cashier $238 for the visit. Took urine test (pee in a cup). Then went for chest X ray. I had to change into gown and stand for x ray. Then the blood test, my least favorite part, but got through it with the help of a nice technician.
Left and celebrated!
If you have any questions let me know.
Where did you go Turtles?
My doctor charged $20 extra for 'extra paperwork'... but I only saw him fill out one form. Not a big deal to me if he did it right (they did say it was going to Ottawa) but they really try to take advantage of the situation sometimes.
So all medical should be mailed to Ottawa even if my application is going to Buffalo? They didn't seem to know exactly so I should call and tell them.
\'dubv2tdot\' pid=\'51340\' dateline=\'1271870599\ Wrote:The doctor I went to just asked me if I had problems with anything. He listened to my heart and pressed on my stomach and that was it, besides the other tests already described here. He didn\'t say anything about a pap or neurologal exam or anything.
That sounds like the sort of medical I WANT. Where are you and who did you use??