Health care Canada vs US - Experiences, Truths, Myths

[Charmd1]

Here I pay 15.00 copay for a visit to my primary care physician, 20.00 to see a specialist, and rarely wait longer than a day or two, depending on the extent of the emergency, or need. I've never had an issue with waiting for an appointment outside of my annual, though. I pay pre taxed from my paycheck and for individual coverage it's only 52.00 a month, and I have dental and eye care as well.

[LittlePirate969]

This thread looks pretty dated, but hopefully someone is still covering it. There is still tons of useful info here, especially you Cornerguy... You're posts have been extremely helpful. My question is about mental healthcare in Canada. I've read some data that states the healthcare system lacks in this area, but the things I found were a few years old.

1. How do the provinces generally handle things such as seeing a therapist or psychiatrist on a regular basis?

2. Also, what about emergency psychiatric hospital stays or specific treatment programs such as trauma which would require a sometimes lengthy stay?

For comparison, I just got out of an in-patient psychiatric hospital in the states (while covered under a lackluster student healthcare plan through my university where the paperwork and phone calls alone were enough to make anyone need to be admitted to a psych ward) and received a bill just under $10,000 USD from an 11 day stay, when I was made to leave because insurance wouldn't pay another penny and I already didn't have an extra 10 grand in my pocket.

I also pay approximately $280 USD a month to see my psychiatrist and therapist each month, which isn't easy for a struggling college student.

Thanks in advance to any responses!

[Cornerguy1]

Mental health care by a psychiatrist is covered under the Ontario provincial health plan; other provinces maybe different.

This applies whether this care is on an in-patient or office visit basis. Medications are not covered, but, based on financial circumstances, there may be additional provincial programs available.

Most level 2 hospitals have a mental health program in place and take referals from smaller hospitals in their area for urgent treatment.

Level of care and availability of practicioners varies depending on geographical location; there are generally more resources available in urban centers when compared to more rural locations.