Medical
It is important to plan for a safe and healthy transition into adulthood by figuring out what you will require for your health and self care needs. Once you leave foster care you may need to cover some of your health costs. Become knowledgeable before you leave about what you need and the services that may be available to you, so you are prepared!
Identification and Documents I Will Need
It is important to figure out what identification and documents you may need to access Health Services once you exit care. These are some of the most important ones to have:
- Saskatchewan Health Services Card
- Additional health benefits (drug plan and extended benefits, low income support, supplementary health program)
- Indian Status Card
- Other insurance coverage
- Immunization records
Identify Services You Will Need
Before you leave care it is a good idea to identify what ongoing health services you will need when you are on your own. These could include the need for physical health, mental health, dental and vision health, and addiction services. You can identify these services on the Health and Wellbeing worksheet provided below.
If you need to find a walk-in health clinic or are looking for a doctor that is taking new patients, you will need either to contact your local Health Region or, if available, search your local Health Region online. A list of Health Regions and links can be found at www.health.gov.sk.ca/find-a-doctor
To find a local Dentist in your area: www.saskdentist.com/find.asp
To find a local Optometrist (eye doctor) in your area: www.optometrists.sk.ca/Children%27s%20Vision%20&%20 Eye%20See...Eye%20Learn
For a list of Mental Health Services in the Province: www.health.gov.sk.ca/mental-health
Prescriptions
It is a good idea to make a list of current prescriptions you need and be sure they are in good order for refills before you leave care. Prescriptions will often expire within a specific time frame, from a few days to a year, depending on how long your doctor has written the prescription for. Next, find out if your health insurance will cover the entire costs of your prescriptions or only partial and for how long. You can then determine what you will have to pay on your own.