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Pregnant and immigrating to Edmonton (worries about health coverage)  

post #1 of 18
9/19/08 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 
Anybody have any ideas on the best way to transition as a new Canadian immigrant and receive health coverage immediately?

Thank you
post #2 of 18
9/19/08 at 7:55pm
I would call the health authorities in Alberta, to check. Here in Quebec, pregnant women receive coverage for their pregnancies right away upon landing, even though the normal health insurance doesn't kick in for 3 months.

Try these two links for starters.

http://www.albertacanada.com/immigra...rate/faqs.html
http://www.health.alberta.ca/default.htm

(I'm a recent Canadian immigrant myself, though to Quebec)
post #3 of 18
9/19/08 at 9:02pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you

I will look into it right away. There is so much to learn. I just read today that Alberta Health coverage does not cover midwifery, which makes me really sad because I have been getting such good care by the midwife I have been seeing here and I really want to continue with a holistic health care approach.



Thanks again
post #4 of 18
9/26/08 at 1:53pm
I am no longer in Alberta myself, but there is the shared care maternity program in Stony Plain Alberta which is midwife attended birth in a hospital (fully covered by health care). I have heard that there is another similar program in St Albert now. Both cities are just outside the city limits of Edmonton.
post #5 of 18
9/26/08 at 4:13pm
The Shared Care program is midwife driven. It is covered by Alberta Health Care. The births take place in the hospital. Any risk factor results in transfer of care.
The St Albert program is run by a family physician. It is not affiliated with midwives. She will attend homebirths though.
post #6 of 18
9/26/08 at 4:53pm
Is private midwifery care available in AB?

LP
post #7 of 18
9/27/08 at 10:04am
In theory. When I was pregnant with dd, I did contact a midwife practice in Edmonton. I was to far away to work with them though.

Midwifery is not illegal in Alberta but because it's not covered by health care there is not a big demand for it so there are not a lot of midwives practicing there.

The Alberta Association of Midwives may be able to help you.
post #8 of 18
9/27/08 at 1:42pm
It definitely is available. You do have to pay out of pocket for it. The midwives are registered, but not covered by health care. It is about $3000. There are at least 2 midwives who do homebirths in Edmonton.
post #9 of 18
10/6/08 at 6:29pm
There are at least midwives who will do homebirths in Edmonton. Check out the ASAC website for info on that. If you are wanting to go that route, it may be a good idea to contact them as soon as possible, as they are extremely busy.
Good luck!
post #10 of 18
10/6/08 at 7:13pm
The shared care is fairly relaxed, but it's basically a hospital with midwives. And there are a lot of things they aren't "allowed" to do. In addition to the registered midwives who do homebirths, I think there's a couple of TBA's (traditional birth attendants) here as well. You might be able to find out more from ASAC's yahoo group (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group...guid=165380481)

We also have a EC group, a babywearing group & a freebirth group, as well as an extremly active homeschooling community, if you're interested in any of those things.
post #11 of 18
10/16/08 at 4:45pm
Effective April 1, 2009, midwifery services are fully funded by Alberta Healthcare!:
post #12 of 18
10/16/08 at 5:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandybehr View Post
Effective April 1, 2009, midwifery services are fully funded by Alberta Healthcare!:
:
post #13 of 18
10/16/08 at 7:15pm
I wanna move to Alberta!
Quebec isn't likely to change its non coverage of midwives anytime soon.
post #14 of 18
10/16/08 at 7:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazystargazer View Post
I will look into it right away. There is so much to learn. I just read today that Alberta Health coverage does not cover midwifery, which makes me really sad because I have been getting such good care by the midwife I have been seeing here and I really want to continue with a holistic health care approach.



Thanks again
Starting next year (in April I think) Alberta WILL BE COVERING MIDWIVES!!! ::::::

When we moved to Alberta (I'm pregnant too) we were told that since we were moving from outside Canada (and not another province) that coverage begins the day you arrive in Alberta. You may have to pay for some services while the paperwork is being done, but it will be reimbursed.

Also, next year Alberta is dropping the monthly premiums. :
post #15 of 18
10/16/08 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hollycrand View Post
I wanna move to Alberta!
Quebec isn't likely to change its non coverage of midwives anytime soon.
I thought the same of NS but things are FINALLY starting to happen here too and by sometime early next year, our MWs should be covered by our provincial health care. :

LP
post #16 of 18
10/21/08 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 

Midwives covered

This is great news!!!:
Does anyone have any midwife (Edmonton) recommendations.

Also, how does the coverage work if you receive midwife care prior to April 1st but deliver after April 1st, I'm due the 14th!!
post #17 of 18
10/22/08 at 1:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lazystargazer View Post
This is great news!!!:
Does anyone have any midwife (Edmonton) recommendations.

Also, how does the coverage work if you receive midwife care prior to April 1st but deliver after April 1st, I'm due the 14th!!
All midwives are listed on the AAM site, http://www.alberta-midwives.com/directory.php BUT, chances are, with an April due date they are already full (before funding was announced). You can check out shared care.

As for cost, anything from April 1 on will be covered, anything prior would not.
post #18 of 18
10/22/08 at 1:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by LittlePeanut View Post
I thought the same of NS but things are FINALLY starting to happen here too and by sometime early next year, our MWs should be covered by our provincial health care. :

LP
I wonder if NB will start covering mid-wife care here. How would I go about finding out?
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