Atlantic Xpat

You should see the scar I now sport........

The ambulance was overkill as I was ambulatory myself at the time. However they insisted, and well it was a quiet night in a small community most of whom were standing on the wharf watching as the Coastguard FRC came in. I'dve been embarrased but after 3hrs of drinking tea with lots of sugar to ward of shock I needed a piss more than anything else in the world, including having my gaping wound seeing too. I ended up negotiating with the ambulance crew to be allowed to go to the washroom before they hauled me to the ER.

Butch Cassidy

I was going to say that.

Moral of the story? If you need to get the hospital Call the coast guard.

In Alberta they are theiving bassa's charge by the mile from your HOME address. I recently heard of a story where a calgary resident was taken from Okotoks (visiting family) to High river by ambulance, the paramedics where based in Okotoks, using a vehicle based in Okotoks BUT the bill was from the poor guys Calgary address to HR Hospital

act1980

What about giving birth in Ontario?

What are the costs and are any expenses covered by any kind of insurance?

Ta

Brownstar

Any hospital treatment is covered by the provincial healthcare service, well it is in Aberta and I'm pretty sure it is in all provinces. Remeber the system here is an NHS type system, not like the US were it is all private.

Auld Yin

Ontario has universal health care which covers most requirements except prescription drugs. You can expect to be declared pregnant by your GP, receive regular checkups during confinement, enter a hospital, have the baby and leave without placing your hand in your purse.

act1980

Wow that's amazing! I am sure I read somewhere that it can cost thousands of $$$$

iaink

As long as you have met the three month provincial residency requirement there are no hospital charges. Drugs prescribed and provided while in hospital are also covered. If you want to upgrade to a private or semi private room rather than the ward that will cost additional, usually covered by benefits again to some extent. Most, but not all provinces, have a similar residency requirement.


If you haven't done the 3 months then it has the potential to be an expensive hassle as OHIP will not cover you, although the child is covered from birth. Private insurance cover probably wont be an option either as pregnancy is very definitely a "pre existing condition"

Once you have given birth, then the real costs start to rack up Still, my dad says the first 25 years are the worst part....

act1980

Thanks for the info

scrubbedexpat091

In 3 years, I haven't worked for a company yet that offered extended health. Many do, but never assume or expect it as many also dont offer it.

I am in BC but we atleast have pharmacare which is income based, lower the income the lower ones deductible.

I pay 100% of the prescription cost for the first 700 in a year and then pharmacare kicks in 100% after that, but I am low income, less then 14,000/yr.

Then certain drugs for certain illness have their own plan which will cover the cost of the drug., but this is for BC. For instance plan G covers certain mental health medications where the patient will pay 0 out of pocket if on that plan.

Decided to add it in case someone comes across this post and coming to BC,
I find the cash prices in Canada about the same as I paid in California, but every drug will be different.

iaink

Its somewhat ironic that the lower paid jobs where people need more help with drug expenses are the ones less likely to have benefits If you are a MD on $200k your benefits probably would cover optical and orthodontic, even though you can afford it anyway...

The sliding deductable idea at least protects you in the event of serious drug requirements....nothing like that in Ontario as far as I am aware

act1980

Just another one of lifes ironies

Auld Yin

In Ontario there is a Government drug scheme (Trillium) to cover people needing super-expensive drugs or drug costs beyond their ability to pay. It is a means tested method whereby those without employer drug plans will have drug costs met by the Government. I have used, and still do, the plan for three years now. My drug costs three years ago were $5,000/mth. The cost is gradually reducing and now is $3,000/mth.

iaink

I got the impression the trillium plan only really applies if you are either retirement age or effectively on the poverty line. Its not much use to the working poor?

The down side to any drug plan is that often if the drug you need is ot specifically named on the plan (provincial or private), then they wont pay for it anyway. I guess the same is true of the NHS too though.

Just sucks if nothing "normal" is working for you...

Almost Canadian

Our son went from Somerset to Rockyview (the one on 14 St whichever one that is) cost $350+

Butch Cassidy

See theiving Bassas.


What did he do???