OHIP sucks at times
#1
limey party pooper
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,979
OHIP sucks at times
Just chatting with a friend who has breast cancer. She starting her chemotherapy soon which will be given in a hospital so it is covered by OHIP what isn't though are the meds to boost her immune system. $2500's worth.
So if you don't have extra health insurance you have to pay up. Trillium fund will pay some of it but it's means tested so you can still end up paying a considerable sum.
Bums.
So if you don't have extra health insurance you have to pay up. Trillium fund will pay some of it but it's means tested so you can still end up paying a considerable sum.
Bums.
#3
Re: OHIP sucks at times
I would agree- that is complete joined up thinking- if you can't afford the latter, you can't have the former
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: OHIP sucks at times
That is insane.
I'd have to just die if they expected me to pay 2,700 for the pills needed to probably keep one alive during chemo....
Things like this need to be fully covered, I don't know many who could just whip out that kind of money per month for medications.
I'd have to just die if they expected me to pay 2,700 for the pills needed to probably keep one alive during chemo....
Things like this need to be fully covered, I don't know many who could just whip out that kind of money per month for medications.
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 148
Re: OHIP sucks at times
There are crazy things about the Canada health system that Canadians don't seem to be all that worried about - out of hospital meds costs, inequality of care geographically, not being covered for things in other provinces, ambulance/air ambulance costs etc. I hear them mentioned but nobody really seems overly concerned. I would expect these issues to be at the forefront of the political debates.
This issue of 'out of hospital' prescription costs for cancer treatments has come up on TV and in personal conversations repeatedly. It is a serious issue -certainly in Ontario.
So yes, OHIP sucks at times!
This issue of 'out of hospital' prescription costs for cancer treatments has come up on TV and in personal conversations repeatedly. It is a serious issue -certainly in Ontario.
So yes, OHIP sucks at times!
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: OHIP sucks at times
There are crazy things about the Canada health system that Canadians don't seem to be all that worried about - out of hospital meds costs, inequality of care geographically, not being covered for things in other provinces, ambulance/air ambulance costs etc. I hear them mentioned but nobody really seems overly concerned. I would expect these issues to be at the forefront of the political debates.
This issue of 'out of hospital' prescription costs for cancer treatments has come up on TV and in personal conversations repeatedly. It is a serious issue -certainly in Ontario.
So yes, OHIP sucks at times!
This issue of 'out of hospital' prescription costs for cancer treatments has come up on TV and in personal conversations repeatedly. It is a serious issue -certainly in Ontario.
So yes, OHIP sucks at times!
BC is pretty good at physical health treatments and sending you wherever it's needed, but often the cost burden is on the patient for the costs associated with the travel.
I don't know how pharmacare works for normal folks, but I have no complaints, its quite rare for a medication not to be covered for us under the gov't program, I think I have had 1 or 2 in the last 5 years not covered, but they were both medications for psoriasis so not a crucial med needed for survival.
Ambulance in BC is reasonable, $80 for BC Residents with special coverage programs for certain patients.
Is ambulance in Ontario a high cost?
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Sarnia, Ontario
Posts: 148
Re: OHIP sucks at times
Ambulance costs are not too high in Ontario but I hear of cases where people are charged ambulance costs to transfer between provinces which can be very high and not always covered. This is more a concern for the less populated areas Manitoba, SK etc. The instances are probably rare but all the more reason they should be covered.
#8
Re: OHIP sucks at times
I just mention that because means testing usually conjures up images of something highly intrusive and punitive, like the system that was running in NB when my wife needed Remicade infusions @ $7000 every 6 weeks.
Prior to that treatment, other prescriptions peaked at $600 monthly which we were paying in full. In Ontario, that cost would have been limited to $75 monthly.
I've mentioned this before. There seems to be an assumption that the programs available are ONLY for people on low incomes.
The programs vary across Canada (some apply a ceiling according to income, others restrict it to 20% of the drug cost) but it's really about high costs rather than low incomes. At least for ongoing costs as opposed to fixed periods.
A 'typical' diabetic or someone with arthritis/fibromyalgia could be paying at least $300 monthly for meds or $3600 annually.
If 5% of income is the point at which one has a ceiling applied to costs, income @ $70k would qualify for some help with that.
At $50k a ceiling of $2.5k applies. A single person could be doing pretty well on $30k and paying less than half the cost of their meds.
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: OHIP sucks at times
Ambulance costs are not too high in Ontario but I hear of cases where people are charged ambulance costs to transfer between provinces which can be very high and not always covered. This is more a concern for the less populated areas Manitoba, SK etc. The instances are probably rare but all the more reason they should be covered.
I had a medical issue when living in ON and no complaints getting to the hospital, but getting home was a nightmare as they took me to a hospital in another city, and I didn't have my wallet on me as it wasn't the first thought I had, and so was stranded.
Took a lot of complaining to the hospital who finally called a social worker who was able to arrange a ride, but they were fully prepared to discharge me with no winter clothing in minus 5 temps 20+ km from home, with no money and no ability to get home.
#10
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: OHIP sucks at times
This might be helpful - it gives you details and links to all benefits available to cover drug costs.
Drug Benefit Programs
Drug Benefit Programs
#11
limey party pooper
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,979
Re: OHIP sucks at times
My friend has the means to pay but others may not, a couple on $80K a year would have to pay 3k before getting help. Factor in loss of earnings and other hospital costs it costs money to be sick in Canada
#12
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: OHIP sucks at times
Lack of money may also keep people from even being able to access treatment altogether.
I get so irked with people proclaim we don't have any profit in healthcare here or how you can't go bankrupt or become financially hurt from being ill, seems to be a popular theme online with people...(not here, CBC comments usually...)
#14
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: OHIP sucks at times
I'm quite impressed with the medical service in Edmonton at the moment.
My son, who lives in QC but is currently in Edmonton on a training course for his new job, started texting me damn early this morning about a massive pain radiating up from his neck. He does not dramatise.
Given that it was way to early to go to a walk-in, I advised him to go to ER.
He had seen a doctor within 15 minutes, been given pain killer and had blood taken for testing. He's waiting for a CT scan.
I think that is impressive.
He says the nurses are cute, so I guess the pain killer has kicked-in.
My son, who lives in QC but is currently in Edmonton on a training course for his new job, started texting me damn early this morning about a massive pain radiating up from his neck. He does not dramatise.
Given that it was way to early to go to a walk-in, I advised him to go to ER.
He had seen a doctor within 15 minutes, been given pain killer and had blood taken for testing. He's waiting for a CT scan.
I think that is impressive.
He says the nurses are cute, so I guess the pain killer has kicked-in.
#15
Formerly known as Hangman
Joined: Jun 2014
Location: Calgary
Posts: 519
Re: OHIP sucks at times
I'm quite impressed with the medical service in Edmonton at the moment.
My son, who lives in QC but is currently in Edmonton on a training course for his new job, started texting me damn early this morning about a massive pain radiating up from his neck. He does not dramatise.
Given that it was way to early to go to a walk-in, I advised him to go to ER.
He had seen a doctor within 15 minutes, been given pain killer and had blood taken for testing. He's waiting for a CT scan.
I think that is impressive.
He says the nurses are cute, so I guess the pain killer has kicked-in.
My son, who lives in QC but is currently in Edmonton on a training course for his new job, started texting me damn early this morning about a massive pain radiating up from his neck. He does not dramatise.
Given that it was way to early to go to a walk-in, I advised him to go to ER.
He had seen a doctor within 15 minutes, been given pain killer and had blood taken for testing. He's waiting for a CT scan.
I think that is impressive.
He says the nurses are cute, so I guess the pain killer has kicked-in.
Hopefully he will be treated soon, if necessary and all will be right in his world once again.
Cheers
Steve