Canadian health care system

[KCargosfan]

May I get a brief explanation of how the health care system works in Canada. I'm not looking for a political argument, just wondering how it works regarding normal doctor's visits, what happens if you need surgery or have cancer, etc. Looking for something more substantial than Michael Moore or wikipedia.

[Midnight Blue]

May I get a brief explanation of how the health care system works in Canada. I'm not looking for a political argument, just wondering how it works regarding normal doctor's visits, what happens if you need surgery or have cancer, etc. Looking for something more substantial than Michael Moore or wikipedia.

Health care is generally free in Canada. I mean we pay for it with our relatively higher (than the U.S.) taxes. Doctor visits, emergency/hospital visits and short stays are covered, and referrals to specialists are covered, with the exception of eye exams and chiropractors, here in Ontario. Though I keep reading that wait times for specialists and sometimes for operations can be extremely lengthy. Sometimes the people don't survive the wait. Perhaps others can share more insight.

[ArgoGabe22]

Just a tidbit but pro athletes jump the line to see specialists. There was a an article on both the Leafs and Roughriders a few years back and how they don't have to wait.

[Mulder]

May I get a brief explanation of how the health care system works in Canada. I'm not looking for a political argument, just wondering how it works regarding normal doctor's visits, what happens if you need surgery or have cancer, etc. Looking for something more substantial than Michael Moore or wikipedia.

To start everything off, everyone gets a health card issued by Health Canada?
Everyone usually has their own family doctor, usually if calling to book an appointment can be next day to a month in advance, depends on the receptionist more than the doctor. More urgent but not serious stuff can usually be handled by a walk-in clinic or hospital.

After that, the doctors office or hospital will bill OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Program), for services. From time to time, OHIP will contact the patients to confirm services received.

Not really sure what to say other than that. If you need surgery. It depends on the surgery and how serious. If you have cancer you go for treatment. The care & treatment is probably the same.

[294life]

however in Quebec we have a shortage of family doctors and long emergency wait lists so each province has its quirks.

[argonaut11xx]

To start everything off, everyone gets a health card issued by Health Canada?

NOPE....you get a provincial health card, in Ontario its O.H.I.P,
In BC its called a carecard, and its NOT free, you PAY for your card (out of pocket) based on your income level. This is in addition to the premiums that you pay that are incorporated into our insanely high taxes. Not sure about other provinces.

Health Care in Canada is not even close to free, us Canadian sheep just think it is , because we are so used to getting screwed by high taxation.

I would bet that if you worked out a blue cross , or private plans cost vs what you would pay as a Canadian, the costs would be similar, and you get better doctors in the USA.

That said, even though its NOT FREE,(and very expensive).. i do like the fact that in the great white north, this is "taken care of", by our government.

[T-Bone]

May I get a brief explanation of how the health care system works in Canada. I'm not looking for a political argument, just wondering how it works regarding normal doctor's visits, what happens if you need surgery or have cancer, etc. Looking for something more substantial than Michael Moore or wikipedia.

Some things to read and check out:

Despite its faults, Canada's health care system remains better than America's (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/davidvsdavid/despite-faults-canada-health-care-system-remains-better-124415358.html)

Ontario Ministry of Heath and Long Term Care (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/)

[KCargosfan]

Anyone have any examples of what Midnight Blue is referring to with wait times for more serious things?

Is it general knowledge that say you would get better health care in the GTA than in Quebec due to a shortage of doctors referenced by 294life?



As to the US health care system, I have mixed feelings and experiences, but having insurance companies run things is not a positive. A lot of insurance companies do some pretty sh**** things.

[Mulder]

NOPE....you get a provincial health card, in Ontario its O.H.I.P,
In BC its called a carecard, and its NOT free, you PAY for your card (out of pocket) based on your income level. This is in addition to the premiums that you pay that are incorporated into our insanely high taxes. Not sure about other provinces.


Ontario gov. added a premium as well. Like $700 a year. I wasn't sure who the card was issued by because I still have the old Red and white one. :)

[Mulder]

Anyone have any examples of what Midnight Blue is referring to with wait times for more serious things?

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/waittimes/

Tells you the wait time per procedure per hospital. You can even find out which hospital has the shortest wait times overall for the procedure, and what the provincial target is.

[Midnight Blue]

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/waittimes/

Tells you the wait time per procedure per hospital. You can even find out which hospital has the shortest wait times overall for the procedure, and what the provincial target is.


Thanks, Mulder. I had only heard and read stories, about long wait times. I've been fortunate health-wise, but I know that if one has a flexible schedule (like I sometimes do), one can sometimes go on a list where they will call you if a previous appointment is cancelled. Got an MRI on a foot injury in two weeks that way, a few years ago.
--Quick funny story: while changing into a hospital gown for the MRI (they won't allow street clothes), I leaned back while pulling off a sweater, and punctured the back of my head onto a clothes hook, screwed into the wall in the tiny change room. Like, it pierced into my skull, though not too deep. I heard and felt it go ploop. Having only a fraction of a second to mull, I thought to myself, what would James Bond do?

Not wanting to have to now go to the Emergency section (a several hour wait, no doubt), and not wanting to have to re-schedule my MRI (which I'm sure they would have insisted), I found some handy paper towels or Kleenex or something, applied direct pressure to the back of my head, and fortunately the bleeding stopped in a couple of minutes. One of the nurses had come by to ask if I was ready, and I told her that my zipper was stuck, but that I'd be there presently (Ok, I made up the last sentence, but everything else is absolutely true. When I got home, I poured some Irish Whiskey on the back of my head, and the rest down my throat, to cleanse the wound, to prevent infection, and to catch a wonderful buzz. Kozaks don't care.).

Anyway, the MRI went off without a stich, and the skull puncture, combined with no doubt several minor concussions throughout the years, at least explains my off-beat sense of humour.


Ka' Pla !

[Midnight Blue]

BTW, KC, or anyone else, I'm curious about health insurance costs in the U.S. I've heard or read annecdotally, that one's looking at, at least two thousand dollars, if not five, or more.

Cheers !



PS --- never look back in a tiny hospital change room when changing; you might get a clothes hook in the eye.



Ka' Pla !

[Midnight Blue]

Ontario gov. added a premium as well. Like $700 a year. I wasn't sure who the card was issued by because I still have the old Red and white one. :)



Yeah, actually $900 for single coverage added, more for families. They called it a "premium". Premiums are less expensive than taxes.


Also, Mulder, one may wish to get a new proper card. I kept my old red/white one for 5 years after the change-over time, and that was maybe five years ago. Would hate to see you walking down the street, with a wad of paper towel held to your head!

Cheers !

[KCargosfan]

Thanks everyone. Interesting read.

Midnight, depends on your location and what company, but I would say average health insurance costs are what you listed... and you still have to cover the deductible.

For me personally, in rural Missouri, I pay $65 a month for catastrophic coverage. Anything up to $5,200 every year I have to cover. You get some discounts with certain companies with doctors (for instance, my Humana insurance allows me to pay $50 for a visit instead of $80). It may seem better to go without insurance, but if you have something major and no insurance, you can go bankrupt and/or be denied treatment. Health insurance companies can be awful.

Also note that I'm a single male. For families and older people, insurance easily runs around $450 a month.