How to Overcome Health Challenges as a Newcomer

By Amit Brahme

The pandemic is not over yet, but as Canada plans to bring in more than 1.2 million immigrants in the next three years it’s more important than ever for newcomers to know where to access healthcare when they need it. This is especially crucial in the early days of arriving.

RBC understands that navigating a new healthcare system can be stressful. And since our aim is to support newcomers establishing themselves in Canada, we’ve collected the following tips on a topic that we’re asked about all the time to help you better understand how to access the healthcare system in this country:

Get yourself covered. It’s crucial to ensure you are covered by public health insurance, which varies across provinces and territories. Even if you don’t have a government health card yet, all provinces and territories provide free emergency medical services. However, you’ll still need to cross-reference against your immigration status, and make sure to check with the health authorities in your province to see if there are any additional measures in place for COVID-19. If you reside in Ontario, for example, expanded OHIP coverage is available to ensure you have more access to testing and treatment during the pandemic (visit https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/56401/ontario-expands-coverage-for-care).

During this crisis that requires us to be physically distant from each other, please consider doing as much online as possible. Many forms and applications are available digitally. In Ontario, you can download the registration form for provincial coverage from their website (https://www.ontario.ca/page/apply-ohip-and-get-health-card).

All things virtual. Some provinces and territories are now offering virtual healthcare options in lieu of in-person doctor’s appointments during the pandemic. Should you find yourself in a situation where you need to self-isolate or haven’t yet found a family doctor, this can be a great short-term solution. If you’re covered by B.C. provincial healthcare for example, you can get weekday telemedicine access from Maple, a virtual healthcare provider, covered through your Medical Services Plan. Private insurance providers may also cover Maple’s telemedicine services.

Understanding the importance of accessible healthcare, companies like RBC have partnered with Maple to support newcomers who need to access Canadian healthcare services during the pandemic. Through the program, Maple lets you connect with a licensed Canadian doctor online, 24/7/365. You can talk via video, phone call or text – whenever you need, describe your symptoms, and get a diagnosis or even a prescription. If needed, they can also order bloodwork or diagnostic imaging.

Don’t be afraid to seek help. Mental health of more than half (52 per cent) of recent immigrants has worsened since the pandemic started.

However, there are a number of options available for those who are seeking help. Remote sessions and mental health apps have brought therapy into the digital realm through texts and other digital communication. Some recommended apps include TalkSpace and BetterHelp. If you need some mindfulness guides, apps like Calm and HeadSpace can also be helpful.

You can also connect with fellow newcomers who understand what you have been going through, and many of the communities can be found online. They often share common experiences about living in a new country.

Visit Arrive (arrivein.com) – they provide digital tools and resources 24/7. It is a great way to learn about the Canadian experience and feel empowered as you work towards your life goals.

Amit Brahme is Sr. Director of Newcomer Segment at RBC.