Canadians-does your universal health care coverage include free dental too-or how does that work in Canada?

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Pichi

This is in part reiterating other answers, but I wanted to echo that the national health care in Canada isn't "free". First, taxes in general are higher to cover the costs. Then in some provinces, taxes are even higher (like Manitoba), or you have to pay a monthly subscription fee (like B.C., Alberta) that is anywhere from $60 to $150++ for anyone making more than a certain monthly income (around $1,500).

On top of that, dental, optical, appliances (wheelchair, crutches, cpap machine, etc) are not covered, nor are prescriptions. Most people pay for private insurance for these things, around $75+ a month if through an employer.

One other note is that in some areas, Canada is developing a two tier system ... there are clinics that, for an added fee, will see you for urgent care or some surgeries, so you don't have to wait. (there are waiting time for most treatment, including surgeries, often in the months; and E.R. and Urgent Care wait times can be many hours).

As an American living in Canada, though, I greatly appreciate the fact that anyone can get medical when they need it. That appreciation only increased when my hubby ended up in hosp for a week and we didn't suddenly have $30,000 or more debt to deal with! A son of mine living in the U.S. has recently had to file bankruptcy on account of unexpected medical bills. He is 22, with a wife and two children, an entry level job, no health ins, and had an off the job accident requiring hospitalization and two surgeries. In Canada, this would not have happened (going bankrupt).

Just me...

No, public health departments will usually cover dental work for people under the age of 18 but for adults, they need a dental plan through their work (usually covers 80-100% of work) or pay out of pocket.

Canucklehead

No it doesn't include dental... either you need private insurance for dental or you have to pay everytime you go and see a dentist.

Cherry_Blossom

Things like dental and optometry and prescription drugs are not covered by universal health care. That is where you purchase private insurance or if by luck like in my case my employer covers 100% of the above. I am even ok'd for $1000 worth of Viagra a year....too bad that will go to waste.

Lydia

No, it doesn't include dental. You have to have private insurance you pay for through employment, or just pay full prices for dental work done. However, there are exceptions for children under certain ages (depends on the province) and for very low income families (depends on the province).

Capri

Dental is not coverd

Fred C

Dental is a different service. It may or may not be covered by private plans. Be aware, the health care is not "free" as such, it is taxpayer paid, and one has to have a health card for the province of residence to use the services, or you do have a bill to pay. Some provinces also have monthly subscription fees.

Greeneyed

it's only free for children
you need separate insurance to cover it, but most people have it through work and it covers everyone living in your household it can also be purchased if your work doesn't cover it

â™¥Lilyâ™¥

This is how the healthcare works in Ontario.

We all have OHIP cards which allow us to go to the hospital or doctor's office for whatever reason for free.

The rest depends on your job. The better the job, the better the healthcare. A good job (government, electrician, mechanic) covers anywhere between 80%-100% of your medacations and dental appointments depending on who you work for. Dental is actually the hardest to find coverage for. For example my father has 100% perscription coverage, which means when we need medication we go to the pharmacy, have our perscription filled, and do not have to pay anything. Now if you had 80% coverage you would be paying 20% of whatever the meds cost.

Government jobs cover 80% dental. Most other jobs do not cover much. Which is why alot of people avoid the dentist. It's just too expensive without coverage. A couple simple fillings can cost you $300.

Now Vison Care is a total different story. This was changed a few years back. Any eye exam was free (paid by the government) but now they've made it so you have to pay. All coverage works differently, on my mother's plan she can get one pair of glasses every 2 years at no cost becuase she has coverage.

It really all depends on where you work. So when people say Canada has free healthcare, what they mean is we can go to the hospital for tests, emergency room and see a doctor or go to our own doctor for whatever we want at no cost. Unlike the states where they have to pay everytime they go to the doctor.

Danelady

Dental and optical are not covered, most people have private insurance for that. Depending on what province you live in, there may be a monthly fee. Our taxes are much higher, to cover the cost of "free" medical services. You must have a provincial Medicare card to qualify.

On the other hand, everyone has medical access, and you can walk into any hospital for emergency services. And no one has to sell their house to cover serious illness. My husband had a possibly serious medical condition. He was in to see our doctor, and then had an appointment with a specialist, all within 2 weeks. With all the tests and everything, it was about a month total time, and he was fine. Whew! No charge for any of it.

biffnasty

you have to understand that "free" health care is not free at all and has many disadvantages. i have been to the doctor in canada and the wait times are horrendous, i had to wait roughly three hours for the doctor to speak with me for 2 minutes and rush me out so he could see the next patient....wait times are long and the care is shoddy at best

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