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As I said, Ontario is 40% of Canada, so it counts.
I am unfortunately being treated for cancer now (as luck would have it). I was thinking about getting back to Toronto for chemo sessions for being close to friends (I know very few people here for support)... but I can't because a lot of the cost that is covered in France will have to be paid out of my pocket in Ontario. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks so far, and always have my private room/bath with TVs and even gym equipments. Try that in Canada under the general HC.
The Canadians HC is OK, but nothing to be dreamed about.
So you are so adamant, because you let your Canadian Coverage lapse. That alone does NOT indicate that Canadian living here can't afford the cost.. YOU apparently cannot afford it. X-Patriots who leave Canadian borders to live abroad cannot blame a system they have not paid into SMH!!
Do some Canadians go to the doctor for unnecessary medical treatments just because it's free?
A doctor would be putting his/her career on the line if the local college found out about unnecessary billing. I'm sure there have been instances. A doctor can also get rid of a patient if they continue to make unreasonable demands for treatment or prescriptions.
So you are so adamant, because you let your Canadian Coverage lapse. That alone does NOT indicate that Canadian living here can't afford the cost.. YOU apparently cannot afford it.
no, that's not the reason. I am still covered under OHIP if I return. For a fix term full time study/work, there are exceptions. You can check. I made sure before I left with Service Ontario. It is only because the unversal coverage is insufficient.
no, that's not the reason. I am still covered under OHIP if I return. For a fix term full time study/work, there are exceptions. You can check. I made sure before I left with Service Ontario. It is only because the unversal coverage is insufficient.
BUT, if you are unable to return for full-time study/work due to illness.. then I would suggest, where-ever you live and have extended HC coverages.. They can supplement the costs. I know this because In my clinics, I treated many American's who had platinum HC coverages south of our border, and they negotiated a treatment I provided that costs between 5-10 thousand dollars. Only problem was, American HC Insurance only covered a few treatments. I got a clear explanation for why they came up to Ontario for that treatment.. and it was because they could not get the infusions inside USA.
Ontario Canadians, who travel, cannot be out of Country past 6 months~~ similar criteria in all other Provinces. IF a Canadian becomes sick within that window, you should make arrangements to return before the expiry of coverages. I do believe you also run into a problem as well, since you developed your Cancer diagnosis while abroad. It appears you are upset about the rules.. but IF Canadians leave Canada and ONLY come back for treatment after years.. Should not expect treatment rights you have never paid into. We'd go broke in no time if it was allowed!!
a valid Ontario health card
lived in Ontario for less than six months and will be away for no more than 30 days
lived in Ontario for more than six months and will be away no more than 212 days in any 12-month period
The treatment or service must meet all of the following criteria. It must be:
medically necessary
provided at a licensed hospital or licensed health facility
for an illness, disease, condition or injury that
is acute and unexpected
not pre-existing (you developed it outside of Canada)
requires immediate treatment
The only problem that I've discussed with my doctor about misuse of our healthcare is the fact some take it for granted to the extent that routine appointments are often missed without any excuse given by the patient.
Some doctors I've discussed this with suggest it's because there's no punitive measure for people booking appointments but not attending and taking it for granted they can simply book another without the doctor having the right to complain about the lost time/revenue due to no costing.
In that sense and relevance I agree; we as Canadians have had single payer for long enough now to perhaps have arrived at being spoiled and taking it for granted.
Doctors here, whether they be GP's or Specialists, have prominent notifications in their offices and examining rooms stating that missed appointments without 24 hour advance notice of cancellation will be personally billed to the patient for the missed appointment. Those notices state right on them what the amount billed to the patient will be.
If a new patient makes an appointment for the first time to see a new doctor, the receptionist who makes the appointment will, at that time, let the new patient know what the cost of any non-notified and missed appointments will be to the patient.
Needless to say, there are not many patients here who miss an appointment without giving prior notice.
Perhaps that is what all the doctors you discussed it with should do. I'm surprised that it isn't already a standard practice in Ontario.
Doctors here, whether they be GP's or Specialists, have prominent notifications in their offices and examining rooms stating that missed appointments without 24 hour advance notice of cancellation will be personally billed to the patient for the missed appointment. Those notices state right on them what the amount billed to the patient will be.
If a new patient makes an appointment for the first time to see a new doctor, the receptionist who makes the appointment will, at that time, let the new patient know what the cost of any non-notified and missed appointments will be to the patient.
Needless to say, there are not many patients here who miss an appointment without giving prior notice.
Perhaps that is what all the doctors you discussed it with should do. I'm surprised that it isn't already a standard practice in Ontario.
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Probably some do that already. If not, they darn well should.
People often have this misunderstanding that if you are sick in Canada, the government will take care of everything for free. Not true. Without additional insurance, all prescription drugs need to be paid. Even within the hospital, many treatment and new medicines are not covered by the healthcare insurance. There are even many cancer patients in Canada (at least certain provinces) who can't afford to get the treatment they need and struggle just like Americans.
Among developed nations, Canada has a mediocre healthcare system. They are always so proud of it because for many the world has only one other country.
And of course people go to doctors unnecessarily all the time, but the GP usually stop them from wasting more resources. Also at least in Ontario, those GPs seem to be completely useless - they are really unable to treat anything.
You're right. The only reason Canadian health care gets praised is because it gets compared to our neighbours in the south, which is the only western nation without universal health care! I think it's very sad to be compared to them while we should strive for more and compare to European health care systems and try to resemble those systems. The coverage for prescription medication is an absolute joke here in Canada... Prepare to pay the full price of it if you don't have insurance to help pay for it. That's the worst thing in my opinion, though some provinces are better at it than others (Quebec is the best at this I believe). Same goes for dentist work, some psychology, physiotherapy, orthodontics, etc. the only "free" thing (which isn't even free because it's paid through taxes) are doctor visits, blood work, x-rays, tests, hospital visits/surgeries, etc. And these are just basic things and the wait times are extremely long. We could do much better.
Doctors here, whether they be GP's or Specialists, have prominent notifications in their offices and examining rooms stating that missed appointments without 24 hour advance notice of cancellation will be personally billed to the patient for the missed appointment. Those notices state right on them what the amount billed to the patient will be.
If a new patient makes an appointment for the first time to see a new doctor, the receptionist who makes the appointment will, at that time, let the new patient know what the cost of any non-notified and missed appointments will be to the patient.
Needless to say, there are not many patients here who miss an appointment without giving prior notice.
Perhaps that is what all the doctors you discussed it with should do. I'm surprised that it isn't already a standard practice in Ontario.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruSan
Probably some do that already. If not, they darn well should.
It's pretty well across the board BruSan. The only sector that shy's away from it are those Doctor's offices that conduct "Walk-in Patients" as well. So if a "no show" occurs, they can fill in the open slot with a "Walk-in Patient" .
Then of course, some circumstances get waived if it turns out the patient was actually involved in an accident, or was hospitalized within that window and unable to notify the Doctor's Office. Most Doctor offices do NOT work 24 hours a day, so often have an answering service who can in an emergency call whomever is on call. That's for Family Practice though. Specialists Offices have answering service but it's usually only a voice mail message left. IF you have a family/friend who you know is unable to get to appointment, call the local hospital and inquire who's on call for that Specialty... Then call that office # to leave message.
I can attest, that most everyone makes an honest effort to cancel or reschedule appointments and often days and weeks before the appointment date. I myself has done that. The one's that don't can and should be charged for missing such appointments!! This is why all Specialist offices CALL usually 3-5 days to remind about appoint!!
Anyway, It's not as frequently abused as some wish to believe. Most have Dr's office on speed dial. So unless you are completely indisposed.. there shouldn't be any excuse where Specialist appointments are concerned!! FP office don't call to remind .. they assume .. and off course often double book.
Appt's have various categories.. some are for 10 minutes others for 20 or 30 and it depends on the why you have that appointment ( this is why the booking clerk asked your complaint). If anyone wonders why they sit in a waiting room for an hour+ past appointment time is because that 10 minutes time slot went way past it due to complications or original complaint demanded longer assessment period!!
So going back to Op's original question and claim Canadian HC is free. I thinks it's been answered!! Because it isn't free!
Doctors here, whether they be GP's or Specialists, have prominent notifications in their offices and examining rooms stating that missed appointments without 24 hour advance notice of cancellation will be personally billed to the patient for the missed appointment. Those notices state right on them what the amount billed to the patient will be.
If a new patient makes an appointment for the first time to see a new doctor, the receptionist who makes the appointment will, at that time, let the new patient know what the cost of any non-notified and missed appointments will be to the patient.
Needless to say, there are not many patients here who miss an appointment without giving prior notice.
Perhaps that is what all the doctors you discussed it with should do. I'm surprised that it isn't already a standard practice in Ontario.
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I haven't seen that at my doctors....I'll look next time. I have seen a notice saying that they charge $15 for notes requested for absence from work.
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