Vulcanoid

Hi - I've done some searching, but most medical related threads on here seem to be about trying to move to Canada as a doctor.

Without going into details - I'm in BC on IEC, & I'm confident I need to see a GP. I have, however, no experience of this (heck, it's about ten years since I went to one in the UK). Can anyone help me from the first step, do I just pick one at random from google? Are there catchment areas? Do I pay on the spot for a visit then claim back from insurance? Or just give them my insurance letter? Presumably using the insurance for this doesn't end the policy (due to being used) and mean I need a new one?

Any help very gratefully appreciated.

Aviator

You'll need to go to a walk in clinic. You cannot just show up at any doctors office. Some Walmarts have walk in clinics or phone the hospital and they can point you in the right direction.

Most likely you will pay and claim back. You policy is not a one time use, it has a period of validity with set limits.

scrubbedexpat091

As said you need to find a walk in clinic, or if its urgent and can't wait you can always go to any hospital and see a doctor in the ER. Google walk in clinics and your city/area and you should be able to find one, unless your in a tiny town then it might be harder.

Pay upfront most likely, the walk in's I have experience in charge anywhere from 90 to 200 dollars to see the doctor, but the cash price varies by clinic.

If you end up the ER, you wont pay anything upfront, you will either get a bill in the mail and submit to your insurance, or they might bill your insurance directly, but they won't deny you at an ER for inability to pay.

Aviator

In the ER visitors do pay. We had relatives here a few weeks ago, had to go to the ER and they had to pay before they left the hospital and in cash.

scrubbedexpat091

Weird, they never did that before, might vary by hospital and health authority. I know in 2006 when I went they just billed me. I do find it hard to believe they would turn someone away in an emergency though for lack of payment, if they do, then the system is more backward then I thought.

Aviator

They treat first and ask for cash after. I think my relative paid $4000 total with specialists and scans.

Vulcanoid

Thanks guys. Clinic was $90, prescription $24. Much better than I feared (for both price and diagnostic, hah)

scrubbedexpat091

I'd venture then a lot walk out without paying and just get billed, I'd say having 4k being available is not something most people have just laying around.