Continued.....if you're an american and need to see a doctor while in Canada...

Question

why does it cost so much? I received many responses from Canada, first of all I was not insulting the Canadian health care system. I was complimenting it. Second of all, if a Canadian came to the US and needed to be seen by a Doctor, They would not be rejected, they would pay the $65.00, same as the rest of us and they would be seen. I sensed some anamosity and I do wonder why. We do not expect hand-outs, we pay our way. What is your problem with the US?

Answer 1

My brother broke his leg while skiing in Canada (Quebec) many years ago. It didn't cost him anything except the cost of his crutches. At the time I was very impressed. Things have certainly changed. In many of the states, if not all,  emergency rooms can't turn away patients who have a true medical emergency regardless of their ability to pay. But I digress, many American Insurers will repay the insured for medically incurred cost after filing a claim upon their return to the US. I'm sure the sensitive nature of our Northern neighbors is well founded. After all there are 50 million US citizens that lack health insurance. Many of them probably would like to receive quality health care like you have in Canada.  

Answer 2

In your original post (which I replied to) it read as though you were trying to insult the Canadian health care system. Your post started with something like "I thought Canada has a good health care system" and then went on to complain about having to pay $600. If you were trying to compliment the Canadian Health Care system, something certainly got lost in the translation. In another question, you asked whether or not you would have to pass through a border if you were driving to Canada.  You clearly lack enough insight to be commenting on another country's laws/practices if you are unaware that there is most certainly a border between Canada and the US.

In this instance, you (or the guardian) assumed that the costs would be similar to the US. You were not in the US -- you were in a foreign country. If you dispute the $600 charge please contact the Hospital Administrator and ask for the breakdown of the charges. I'm sure he/she will be more than happy to explain how they came up with that number.

Canadians are a very proud group. If we read something that seems to insult our way of life, we will defend it. It is our country, most people have great faith in our government. If the hospital charged you $600, then I have faith that it was an appropriate charge. If you are using the facilities paid for by the Canadian taxpayers, then you should have to reimburse the hospital for what it cost them to treat your son. $600 still sounds like a bargain considering how much it costs to run the hospital.

Do you have evidence to show that a foreigner visiting your hospital would pay the same amount as a resident? In all the times that I or a travelling partner has had to visit a doctor while on vacation, never once has the bill been only $65. We've always had insurance, so we were just reimbursed anyway.

And now in your defense of your original question you have asked "What is your problem with the US". That reads like yet another antagonistic question. Perhaps that is not how you meant it, but it certainly reads that way. Until you have been born and raised as a Canadian (or have spent a significant amount of time as a foreign resident), you have no idea how our country operates. We welcome you to ask questions on how or why things they are the way they are.

Canada is a wonderful country, filled with wonderful people. When your country has the world's most perfect health care system, a stable economy, and a postive international reputation -- only then, perhaps, will you be in a position to make any comment on our way of life or cost of living.

And while YOU may pay your way, take a look at some of the other questions posted in the Canada category (specifically those from US citizens). People wanting to know if they can come and get free health care once they cross the border; others who want a Canadian pension even when they admit they never paid taxes on money earned; several insulting our taxation system; the list goes on and on. And then there are answers from people that are clearly not Cdn who insult our health care, taxation, etc. Perhaps I and the other posters were a little punchy when you asked the original question, but when you open with "I thought Canada had good health care but .....", we will respond accordingly. If you had asked "My son visited the hospital in Canada, and the bill was $600. I was expecting it to be less. Can you tell me what is factored into this cost?" you would have gotten a completely different set of answers.

Answer 3

The tone of your first posting WAS slightly negative, suggesting that the Canadian Health system was ripping off foreigners. When I responded to it, I mentioned that the problem was that your son went to the emergency room instead of a local clinic. Had he gone to a clinic (CLSC), he would have paid around $50.00, depending on the nature of his illness. Again, a visit to a US emergency room would have been significantly higher. The staff was not rejecting your son, they were simply informing him of the fee. If he has medical insurance,  then his expenses would probably have been covered - this was the case for my sister when she required emergency room services on her last visit to Canada. It is interesting to note that Americans without health insurance who live near the Canadian border frequently avail themselves of Canada health services.

I just want to add that most Canadians travelling to the states buy extra health insurance. While we maintain our coverage while travelling, our insurance will only pay the amount the same procedure would cost in Canada - and it's never enough to cover the entire bill.

Answer 4

Your original question sounded as if you thought the Canadian health care system charged too much for whatever service it was that your son received. You say now that your son was rejected, but he did receive treatment so I don't see why you say he was rejected. Many Americans think that health care is free in Canada and think that it's free for them too when they visit. It isn't free. It's supported by tax dollars paid by Canadians. In some provinces you also pay a monthly fee. That health care doesn't pay for everything. If you want more coverage, you pay privately and that isn't cheap. A friend of mine just broke her leg. The surgery was covered by the provincial health plan, but when she was discharged she had to buy crutches so she could walk out. It's fairly well-known in Canada that if you are travelling to the US, it's smart to buy travel insurance because US medical fees are so much higher that your Canadian insurance is very unlikely to cover the whole cost of any medical services, so I find it a bit odd that an American should be complaining about the cost of Canadian health care.  

Answer 5

Someone in another question quoted a buill of $35 000 US for a long weekend in a US emergency department.

Last time I hit an emergency room in Canada, everything that happened was listed in the computer. I'm sure they would be happy to give you the printout.

Answer 6

The problem is many americans do come here just to access or medical services. I think my answer to your first question was sufficient, so I will not re hash it here, but I will add "I thought health care in Canada was so much better" does not sound very complimentary. As CS states, questions and more often insults from americans who know nothing about our country, our way of life, or our health care, get old fast.

Answer 7

CS is right.  Exactly.  

Regarding the border crossing:  CS said 'in another question...'.  He was not referring to this question, he was referring to the question you asked about driving from Pennsylvania to Canada.

Answer 8

Because  Canada > America  

Answer 9

you get travel insuranse, then u can see a doctor.

Answer 10

There is no standard charge in Canada, just as there is no standard charge in the US.  I estimate, for a quick check of a minor problem, you would likely see a bill in the $50 range from a walk-in clinic, assuming the visit involved quick diagnosis and treatment.  That is what my doctor would charge you if he managed to squeeze you in, but he doesn't operate as a walk-in because he is normally booked solid weeks in advance.  If tests are involved, they would be billed at whatever cost exists, which totally depends on the test required.  Treatment in an ER can be anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars, depending on whether it is for a broken bone, a cut, or whatever.