Posted by Janice on June 5, 2000, at 22:11:45
In reply to Question for Canadians, posted by Abby on June 5, 2000, at 9:30:39
Yes that's right Abby, medical care is private but publicly funded. Most doctors bill time (although some are on salary).
Our insurance, which most people get from work, usually covers a minimum of 70% (sometimes 98%) of the cost for the following: prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, assistive equipment and appliances (prostheses, wheelchairs, etc.) to independent living and services of allied health professionals such as podiatrists and chiropractors.
Seniors, children and people on welfare (vulnerable people) receive all of the above for free.
We buy travel insurance before we go to the States.
Prescription drugs seem alot less up here. My guess from comparing costs of medications that I know and have seen on pyschobabble is that our prescriptions are about 50% of US cost. The cost is covered by our insurance. Cam W would be the man to speak to about this.
Sometimes we send people to the States, I believe, if waiting for treatment could compromise their health and we don't have the facilities to treat them.
I can only think of the medical services above that I would have to pay for, and then wait for insurance to reimburse me. I have never heard of people paying to see psychiatrists - I have been seeing them for years for free. We see them for 1 hour here, not 15 minutes. But things are changing, so maybe this is a new policy in Ontario where Tina lives. I also had to pay to see a naturopath, but then again, insurance from work reimbursed me.
Many Canadian people are very concerned about maintaining our health care system, as it has served us so well (Cam would be your man here too). I have two doctor friends (one from Italie and the other from Ireland), who both told me they learnt in med school (in Italy and Ireland) that Canada had the best medical system in the world. I hope it lasts, Janice
poster:Janice
thread:36098
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000603/msgs/36220.html