How does healthcare in Canada work?

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Imaka

I have had lots of first hand experience with our health care system here in Canada, and actually I believe the health care system here works quite well. Canadians have an excellent health care system, which we often do not appreciate enough because we sometimes forget how different it is in much of the rest of the world, including in our closest neighbour to the south. Health care in Canada is paid for through our taxes, and the poor and the wealthy all have equal access to it. Even though our taxers cover health care, I do not feel that we are exorbitantly taxed. You do not have to carry private insurance here to see a family doctor, to visit an emergency room, for surgeries, treatments for cancer, etc. No one in Canada has to worry about what will happen in terms of health care if they get sick. Yes, there are waiting lists for many kinds of procedures, but if you really need treatment, you get it. Each province issues health care cards to citizens and permanent residents. My husband passed away about 9 months ago - he had cancer. He received excellent care, and we were totally humbled by the kind of attention he received from the numerous kind and caring people who helped him.

Grand pa

We live In BC $96.00 a month for 2 people for medicare. hjospital is free medicine on deductable based on income. i just finished daily Iv treatments at the hospital twice a day for 2 weeks no charge . my friends wife is having by pass surgery no charge.. We have to pay part of the ambulance bill/ Low income and low income seniors every thing free.

thinkingtime

Universal healthcare in Canada extends to permanent residents and citizens and is funded through taxes in each province. A provincial health card is good in any province. It covers primary health care, specialists, hospital, treatment and medications administered in hospital.

Here's an example:

roger S

I live in BC and I have a family of four. My medical is paid mostly by my company and I contribute $69.00/month. With that I get 1 pair of prescription glasses every two years. I get $1000 in Dental benefits/year and my medication is 90% covered. I just had an operation to have all my teeth taken out and as it was deemed a major operation...my BC Medical covered the expenses. I had to use my dental plan and my wife's to pay for the upper dentures $1300 and I had to pay $180 out of pocket. In February I go back to get the lower dentures with the every year dental renewal and that will be covered by my plan and my wifes too. Hope this helps.

Christine H

We are lucky in Canada to have universal health care. Canadians are issued healthcards with our photos on them, which we show at every doctor's or hospital visit. We do not pay to see a doctor or to stay at the hospital. There are some things that we have to pay for, like medications (unless you are age 65 or over), crutches, etc. Hospitals do not turn people away. Canadians may also have private insurance through their jobs or that they themselves have purchased that cover medications and other out of pocket expenses.

Dangermanmi6

it works quite well this year I've made major usage of the healthcare system and I'm only out of pocket for parking at one hospital plus the deductible for my drugs from my co-insurance from my work. There are folks in Canada who would favour the American system because they haven't run up against it and only look at the "lower" amount the Americans pay in taxes.

I know that I feel quite happy with our system and if I do present to emerg with the sniffles or a cut finger that I should expect to wait until hell freezes over to get treated, BUT I also know if I present with serious symptoms that I WILL be treated right away at no cost to me.

If you are thinking of moving to Canada to set up a practiceI suggest that you try one of the smaller cities they will appreciate it and you won't have to scramble for patients. Also the life style is a little better and cheaper than in the large cities. (End of Commercial)

HAPA CHIC

our taxes pay into health care which is subsidized by the goverment .
Its funny to hear canadians complain because they feel that they should not wait a second ....well maybe they should go to the states where if the health insurance you pay for declines tough luck to you !
Ie that girl who dies I believe she needed a liver transplant .
I have had a few surgeries ...due to health care being accessible of course it is not like the USA where you have the money then good for you if not so sad too bad...
Here in emergency room it goes by the ones who are considered the most crucial will go first ......
The people who complain should use logic !! and common sence

DTott

Healthcare in Canada is funded by the government. We don't have HMOs or the type of system that exists in the US. When you need medical attention, you go to your doctor, a walk in clinic, hospital or the emergency ward. There are never any bills to pay, you simply present your health card, provided to you by your province and the government directly pays for your medical services.

There are no claims to submit and no necessary services are ever declined. Any medical care you medically need is covered. Cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery are not covered unless you need the cosmetic surgery as a result of a medical condition (eg - you got a cut on your face and it has left a scar. Since it was a medical condition, plastic surgery to fix the scar would be covered).

Unless you're 65 prescriptions are not paid for. But most people have medical coverage from their work for these things that cover their prescriptions (some cover 100% and others less). Coverage from workplaces also cover things like the dentist..

hopebrendenply

http://www.canadian-healthcare.org/
I think the above website will tell you all you want to know about it. If not click on the link below to find several more websites on it.
My best,
Hope

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rls=GWYA,GWYA:2005-32,GWYA:en&q=canada+health+care

HeathySurprise

You receive a card from the provincial government. You can select your doctors, your hospital, and the type of treatment you want to receive. Some hospital are better and some hospital are worst, its yours to choose, exactly like if you were in the private sector. There is not an association of doctors that decide how they can reject your treatment for saving costs. like it happens sadly in the US. You get top technology treatment, and can even apply for research treatment if conventional donÂ´t sound you sufficient.

You could never afford treatments of that quality in the United States, unless you where part of the elected government or a big star. While there will always be people complaining about health care, remember how many people in the US sue their doctors and that will tell you that people complaining over personal experience donÂ´t mean much as how good a system is. Life stats tells us that we live 3 years longer then people in the US.

And the tax aspect is a fairy tale invented by the US government. You get highly taxed if you donÂ´t invest money in your future, donÂ´t invest in a house and donÂ´t take advantage of the tax deductions all Canadians benefits. The reason why the US administration talks so much against the Canadian health care system is because they are scared. Our government fear us in Canada, because we can demand to have services for what we pay for. Hope that helps.

finger lickin` good

Yippee,
james is immigrating!

Chris_Knows

Not that well.

Basically, you pay for your health insurance through taxes, so everyone is insured, and all hospital/emergency room/elective surgeries are free.

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