Question for Canadians

Do you agree with this and how does it apply to IBD?



Is this true and does it apply to IBD drugs

6. Canada's care plan only covers the basics. You're still on your own for any extras, including prescription drugs. And you still have to pay for it.
True -- but not as big an issue as you might think. The province does charge a small monthly premium (ours is $108/month for a family of four) for the basic coverage. However, most people never even have to write that check: almost all employers pick up the tab for their employees' premiums as part of the standard benefits package; and the province covers it for people on public assistance or disability.

"The basics" covered by this plan include 100% of all doctor's fees, ambulance fares, tests, and everything that happens in a hospital -- in other words, the really big-ticket items that routinely drive American families into bankruptcy. In BC, it doesn't include "extras" like medical equipment, prescriptions, physical therapy or chiropractic care, dental, vision, and so on; and if you want a private or semi-private room with TV and phone, that costs extra (about what you'd pay for a room in a middling hotel). That other stuff does add up; but it's far easier to afford if you're not having to cover the big expenses, too. Furthermore: you can deduct any out-of-pocket health expenses you do have to pay off your income taxes. And, as every American knows by now, drugs aren't nearly as expensive here, either.

Filling the gap between the basics and the extras is the job of the country's remaining private health insurers. Since they're off the hook for the ruinously expensive big-ticket items that can put their own profits at risk, the insurance companies make a tidy business out of offering inexpensive policies that cover all those smaller, more predictable expenses. Top-quality add-on policies typically run in the ballpark of $75 per person in a family per month -- about $300 for a family of four -- if you're stuck buying an individual plan. Group plans are cheap enough that even small employers can afford to offer them as a routine benefit. An average working Canadian with employer-paid basic care and supplemental insurance gets free coverage equal to the best policies now only offered at a few of America's largest corporations. And that employer is probably only paying a couple hundred dollars a month to provide that bene

I am from Saskatchewan and have insurance through my university (which was approximately $250 from beginning of September to end of August). It covers a portion of my prescription medication, chiropractic, physiotherapist, psychologist, speech therapist, massage therapist, naturopaths, osteopath, registered dietician, podiatrist/chiropodist, athletic therapist (pretty much everything except acupuncturist), vaccinations, diagnostic tests if the province doesn't cover them (but mine does),vision (eye exams), upgrade to a semi-private hospital room, almost all of my basic dental (cleanings, checkups, fillings, etc.), and 100% of an ambulance ride, which is usually $300 - $500, based on the number of kilometres traveled, tutor in case of accident or illness, travel insurance, dental accident, medical equipment (crutches, wheelchair rental, etc)....It covers A LOT more, but I don't have time to list it all.

I qualify for the low income drug plan (a form you have to fill out and is dependent on the amount of your income) so another portion of my prescriptions are covered. At most, I pay $12 for a prescription (my Asacol). All others (birth control, pentasa supposities, antidepressant) are below $10 each. I do not have insurance through my job, as I only work casually. I am a full time student.

Canadian citizens have provincial/territorial health cards that cover 100% of doctors visits, hospital stays, and tests - blood tests, MRI's, CT's, etc. In Saskatchewan ambulance fares are not covered if you have no insurance, but I don't know about other provinces/territories. In Saskatchewan, this is true: "physical therapy or chiropractic care, dental, vision, and so on; and if you want a private or semi-private room with TV and phone, that costs extra". Until recently, our provincial government subsidized chiropractic care - a visit cost you $17 (Canadian, of course), soon it will cost $32 because our provincial government (currently the Saskatchewan Party) will no longer subsidize it.

You can apply health costs that you pay for when doing your income tax - for example, I saw an acupuncturist about ten times due to tendonitis. I paid $40 for each visit, so I can claim that on my income tax. However, you only receive a percentage back, not all of what you paid. There are other exceptions as well, such as having to spend a certain amount (for example, $500) before you can claim them.

I can't speak about the cost of benefit packages, but for what I pay for my university insurance, I am covered for a lot of things. I can also use it outside of Canada: "You can use your Plan benefits anywhere in the world. Reimbursements are in Canadian funds and are calculated at the exchange rate of the day the claim is processed. Reimbursement is limited to what the service would have cost if done in Canada. When applicable, claims will be coordinated with your provincial health-care coverage. Please make sure you submit detailed receipts for services performed while outside of the country."

I hope that the U.S. will have a health care system similar to ours when all is said and done.

Sorry, I forgot to add that that refill will last me just over a month - 34 days, to be exact.

This thread would be a lot better if it had been titled 'A question for Americans living in Canada'.

That way we would have gotten a fairer assessment viewed through the eyes of people who have experienced the good and the bad of both systems.

(Universal) health care is not yet a reality in the US despite the 'new bill' recently passed. According to what we see on TV, there seems to be a lot of opposition to it mainly from southern Republicans.
It has turned into a political football with people claiming that it is 'an infringement on our basic rights as spelled out by our founding fathers'.

I know this seems a bit bizarre to non-Americans, but UHC is seen as 'communistic' and a threat to their way of life, and emphasized much in the same way as gun-ownership.

Are major surgeries covered in Canada?

I've never heard of someone paying for a major surgery in Canada that was not elective, like cosmetic surgery. I HAVE heard of people going out of province and paying $500 for an MRI because they couldn't wait in Saskatchewan.

I have visited Tijuana relating to helminthic therapy and have not had any procedures done there per se, but from my observations during my visit, Mexico is not a bad option at all for all sorts of procedures at a fraction of the US upfront cost if insurance coverage is an issue. They have tons of private clinics, with many US-trained doctors and modern equipment, that cater specifically to US medical tourism. San Diego has tons of advertisements for clinics in Tijuana, which is just a 20 minute light rail trip and three minute walk from downtown San Diego. Unlike Mexico, Canada doesn't allow private clinics- they are effectively illegal, so I am not sure if you can get procedures done there given that there are waiting lists for Canadians. So even if you somehow could direct bill something, you could have a wait of months for a procedure that you might be able to get done the next day in Mexico. The immediate area surrounding the border crossing into Tijuana is very safe and full of Americans on day trips, so I wouldn't worry about the drug war issue. Oh, if you do go to Mexico, pick up some prednisone for emergencies in whatever quantity you want- it is completely OTC there.

AZ, killcolitis is right - my fiance is from the UK, and he needed to go to a hospital here once. His insurance would not cover his visit because it was a pre-existing condition, and even though he only saw a medical student and was not placed in a bed/stayed overnight, his bill was close to $4,000, from what recall. He called the hospital and basically said that he didn't realize that his insurance wouldn't cover the visit (he wasn't lying, it was complicated, too long to explain) and that he did not know what to do because he could not afford the bill. The hospital waived the bill, but said that if it happened again he would have to find a way to pay it.

azyooper


i am not sure exactly how you could get to see a specialist in Canada and pay out of pocket. What I do know is that when I was still living there, my GP offered to refer my American, then boyfriend (we are now married hence my US residency) to a cardiologist in Toronto as he had potential heart issues and no insurance. My GP told me that it would be significantly less money to see a Canadian doc out of pocket than it would be for him to see a US doc. Same with surgery should he have needed it.

So, my point I guess is that if you have relatives in BC, perhaps they could have their family doc refer you to a specialist. The other thought is this. The reason that Canadians need a referral to see a specialist is that this limits the number of unnecessary visits to a doctor that Canadian taxpayers have to pay for. If you were paying out of pocket, the specialist may not have to adhere to the same rules as they would not be billing the government for procedures done and therefore would not have to show proof of referral....maybe, it could be worth a try.

jo

I just read an article in the newspaper yesterday about BC wanting to advertise to Americans to come have surgeries in BC. Apparently, as Joma mentioned, it would cost Americans less to pay for surgery here vs surgery in the US.

I am a Canadian living in Texas. Yes, the health care is indeed free for the most part in Canada, but my daughter who lives north of Toronto is on a waiting list for a pediatrician. My grandson is almost 2 and she hasn't yet gotten to the top of the list. In emergencies, she takes him to the hospital. My friend who lives in Caledon has to use the walk in clinics, because there are no GPs taking new patients. At one point, when I thought about moving back, I was told there would be more than a year wait to see a GI or to get Remicade.

So yes, the healthcare is definitely different in Canada. If you have been with a doctor for 20 years you are set. If you are looking for a new doctor, or if your doctor retires, or if you need a specialist... there is a waiting list. My neice pays 25.00 for her Remicade. I have a 3,500.00 yearly deductable. It is frustrating needless to say.

On another note, the taxes in Ontario are astronomical compared to Texas. It used to be 15% on all purchases.. I think it was reduced to 14%. Think that through. For every 10.00 you spend in a restaurant, walmart, supermarket... you will be spending an additional 1.40. The house market is out of control in Ontario. A house that sells here in Texas for 150,000. will cost you 300,000 or more. All utiliities are much more expensive.

I'm not sure what the new healthcare bill here in the states will shake out like, but I am hoping that cool heads prevail. My premiums are high, I pay high deductables, I pay high costs for medications. I'm at a loss.

Nor_TX, I have lived in Southern Ontario all my life and have never heard of a waiting list for a pediatrician as you describe. I have an 8 year old daughter and we have excellent care for her. It is true that there is a shortage of doctors in small towns but from what I have heard it is the same in many parts of the US. I’m’ in Toronto and we have no shortage here. A few years ago my family doctor moved and I had to get another. It only took me 2 phone calls after getting several referrals from the internet to get another and I saw him in 2 weeks. Your friend in Caledon is only a half hour drive from Toronto. They could easily find a doctor in Toronto if they wanted a short drive.

A year wait for a GI and Remicade? That is ridicules. My first GI took me 3 weeks to see and my second took 4 weeks. I changed GI’s to get a second opinion and to get into a clinical trial. A wait list for Remicade is completely false. Our health system in Ontario doesn’t normally cover drugs unless you receive them after being admitted to a hospital. Most people rely on drug plans from their employer. There is a provincial drug plan for seniors and low income people. When I was on Remicade a few years ago it took me one week to be approved by my drug plan and another week to receive my first infusion. I have an excellent drug plan and pay no deductibles or co pays.

Please don’t get into cost of living and house prices. Prices vary across North America and Texas is a low cost state. Have you seen house prices in Boston? They make Toronto prices seem low.

Nor Tex, I'm from Toronto and my entire family and many friends live there. They don't have problems finding PCPs. I however did have a lot of trouble finding a ped and a GP when we moved Ottawa, where I currently live. It's a smaller city. This wasn't ideal, but while we waited, we could use any walk in clinic and hospital when necessary. So, it was more of an inconvenience than a real worry. Most peds will take on kids with medical issues even when their lists are closed. When my daughter started showing symptoms of UC, we took her to emerg. She was admitted, scoped, diagnosed and treated immediately. There were no crazy wait lists. If you look at outcomes and not rhetoric when it comes to the US vs. Canadian care, they are similar. We don't have higher rates of mortality from heart disease, cancer etc. despite all of the scare mongering. In fact, as a population, I'd venture to guess we were healthier because of the fact that we can access appropriate care. Also, before moving back to Canada, I lived in Japan, then the UK, then New York. My youngest child was born in NY. We had coverage through my husband's job. It was okay, good care, nice hospital etc. People called me after for feedback about my "stay". It was very customer service oriented, which has its perks but it wasn't superior to the care I'd received in those other places. But, I'd take a basic hospital stay with care across the board in a second. I don't really mind being placed on a list when it's not urgent because I know those who require urgent care are getting it. That's how it should work. In my family, we've had three brain surgeries, a kidney transplant on the go etc etc. Not a cent was paid for any of this (other than taxes). I feel incredibly fortunate, as we would have been totally ruined otherwise. As for the housing market, well, NY vs Toronto? They're not in the same universe!