Siouxie

I beg to differ.

A family member, on seeing the GP for something unrelated, was sent for further testing after the doctor noticed that his lip had a blue tinge. He had an appointment for an angioplasty within weeks - unfortunately, he had too many blockages for them to continue. He met with his cardiac surgeon and was put on the waiting list as 'urgent' in July and was admitted for a quadruple bypass 6 weeks later.

I very much doubt the UK system would have met the same time frame.

He had no health plan (his company laid him off when he couldn't return to work straight away), his cardiologist prescribed generic medications and reduced them to the minimum as he was aware of his financial situation - and his GP gave him as many samples as she was able to.

From personal (well, family) experience, Canada's health care is pretty damn good!

Edited to add, it is possible to ask the pharmacy if there is a generic alternative - they will normally dispense that if there is one.

Shakyuk

The lady who dealt with our application said 'when it comes in the post, you'll see why the card is free'

They laminate them at the local registry for $2 so we'll do that! It should be health paper...

Photoplex

No offence, but when you've been here long enough to have a loved one go through a real health crisis, you'll look back and realize how wrong you were.

Siouxie

scrubbedexpat091

I take several medications and the doctors always just write the name brand as they are typically easier to remember I suppose.

Pharmacy always fills it with a generic. The only time I have ever gotten name brand was when generic was not available and that took a special application to the province to get approval.

scilly

The difference is in the historical views of the different countries.

The UK believes that the state is responsible for taking care of all its citizens.

The US believes that the individual is responsible for taking care of himself and his family (and yes, I use those gender words advisedly). This applies particularly to the Republicans. The Democrats believe that some people need help. Hence all the kerfuffle and hatred of Obamacare.

Canada lies between the two ............. the state takes care of those that need it. The ones with incomes below a certain level (about $20,000 in BC), disabilities, homeless, etc pay no premiums, do not pay for drugs etc. Those with higher incomes are expected to help take care of themselves. Seniors fall into a grey area ........... if their pension is low enough, they will come under a provincial plan that pays most of their medications, and there are some other benefits for them.

Wait until you reach retirement age ............. if your private pension is too high, your OAP will be "clawed back". It looks wonderful to some people to see a headline such as "PM takes his pension" as once happened to Jean Chretien. How terrible ........... a millionaire, and receiving a PM's salary, getting the OAP.

Believe me, he got none of that pension! It's not just "clawed back", you don't even get it ........... the amount is paid directly to Revenue Canada to go towards your income tax, passing from one government department to another. Then you get a T4 or T3 or whichever it is that shows that you "received" $xxxx, and that you paid exactly the same amount in taxes!


You need to be setting up a plan for a private pension because the OAP and CPP are not sufficient for a decent life, but you then have to watch out that you do not take too much per month from the private pension or you lose the OAP!

Almost Canadian

Only if the drug is covered by their plan though, and many expensive drugs aren't.

Piff Poff

On the other hand, our friend was told by one Doc that he was too old and ill to have a heart valve last summer. After being in and out of hospital since the beginning of December, he was finally given not one but two heart valves and is the best we have seen him in a good few years!

scilly

After almost 50 years here, I KNOW how wrong YC is.

I don't think the following time line could be beat in the UK .........

2 weeks from detection of breast cancer to seeing specialist, 2 weeks to first operation, 2 weeks to a mastectomy when that was deemed necessary. Treatment complete, except for regular check-ups.

Detection of another breast cancer, specialist seen in 2 weeks, mutual agreement that I could wait 6 weeks for a mastectomy. Treatment complete

OH colon cancer treatment within weeks of detection by doctor (no symptoms).


These were all life threatening situations, all were treated in superb hospital situations with caring doctors and nurses.

Siouxie

2nd opinion did the trick then.. I know someone in their 90's who has had them - and knee replacement surgery!

Glad to hear he is doing well!

Piff Poff

Nope not a second opinion it was that or he dies, he could barely stay conscious and was costing too much in ambulances