Report: Tens of thousands fled socialized Canadian medicine in 2013

As an American I flee my country for dental. lol

The cost of a round trip ticket to Costa Rica plus root canal, crown a few other filling and a weeks worth of sight seeing came in $1,000 dollars less than just the root canal and a crown in the states. My next door neighbor went to India for heart surgery it cost him just over $15.000 in the states they wanted over $300,000. He said the hospital there was like a 5 star hotel and even had a mini mall.

I know the US offers many procedures that you can't get in other countries and we do have some of the best equipment which is why some people come here.

Here is a reality check though on the quality of healthcare in countries across the world. Look at your athletes that are rich and have sports injuries. I bet you will find that most have their surgeries in their own countries when they can afford to go anywhere.

TKDRL
reply to post by sparrowstail

 

Ah cool, I used to ferry over to PEI almost every summer

The french hospital in Moncton was the one butchered mom's stomach.

Yeah this happens too. Halifax my have been the better choice. My dad had bladder cancer, and got very good care. They made him a new bladder from his intestine. I can only imagie what his procedure would have cost them in the States. Here, basically free.
Personally, I just think some things are beyond capitalism and a developed society.
Greece was a pleasant heath care experience. Wife and I honeymooned there. She almost broke her ankle. We pulled up in front of the hospital doube parked (free) went in 20 minutes later the "hunk" of greek doctor (her words not mine) is reading the x ray saying she didn't break it, but was as bad a sprain humanly possible for not a break. I asked how they pay for theircare and basically after a certain income bracket an increasing percentage is paid. Under a certain pay bracket nothing is paid. Tourists he said, they are happy to treat free. No paper work. ankle wrap and crutches all free.

boncho
I heard Canadians are basically living in the Soviet Bloc, doctors only see them if they get paid off and amputations are common for minor ailments like a stubbed toe.

Damned commie socialists. It's obvious why they are all fleeing the country to get real paid medicine. (The only kind that can cure you).

Amputations over a stubbed toe? Do you have a source for this? If anything it would be because there was a staph infection and amputation was the only way. It just doesn't make sense to do an amputation and add to the list of patients waiting to get into very expensive rehab and Physio therapy to learn how to live with the amputation and get a prosthesis


I can't say I've heard of anyone complaining. I live in BC and am on the bc medical services plan or MSP. I was in a rehab Center for about 6 months. It cost my MSP about 40 k a month to care for me and pay for my team of doctors. Once discharged I received more 'free' assistance from Fraser Health. I was provided with therapists who came to my home to do Physio and teach me how to use public transportation on my own.

When I was in the rehab Center in Vancouver, nobody complained, they were raving about the care they were getting. I complained a bit because I wanted to go home all the time. I really didn't appreciate what was being offered to me until I left and the funding ran out. I was a brat.

At this place I was given a dietician/ nutritionist, Psycologist, primary doctor, Physio therapist, two speech therapists , hand classes, music therapy if desired, occupational therapist, meds and use of free wheelchairs , 24 hr nursing , daily blood tests and just about every day was sent out to see specialists and scans at VGH. They got you in right away. Some people there had bad teeth and got free dental work if they needed pulling out. My OT came into my room every morning to teach me how to dress with one hand, taught how to shower. Since then I've invented my own ways of dressing and doing things with one hand. It's kind of like school, lessons and classes all day long. I'm paralysed down one side and as a result my face was pretty ugly, all dropping on one side and was taught massages and fixed my face with no plastic surgery.

There were a lot of amputees there and people came in with no legs and fitted with new ones and walking around in no time.

So this experience made me feel very grateful at the care I received. I was fortunate to get in there so soon. Didn't know it at the time because as I said I whined about going home. Whined about them not teaching me to walk with a cane. Oh yeah I whined and filed complaints about one mean nurse who wouldn't take me to the toilet because I go " too much". She actually inspired me to stop buzzing for help and trying it on my own. I was sneaking off to other toilets in the building. It wasn't allowed but I was sick of needing help when I have such a weak bladder. My proudest moment was coming home on the weekend and telling my daughters I can go myself now. I'm a big girl now. Being able to stand up was great too. I wouldn't have a clue how to do that had I not been taught. Now I'm on my own and just teach myself and do the exercizes I was taught.

Their general rule is to help you until nothing more can be done.


So in conclusion I disagree the medical system is bad, at least in my province. They take care of you.
ETA
Perhaps my location of living close to Vancouver played a role because it's apparently the best rehab centre in N America.
it's a bit like jail though, if you wander off they security comes looking for you and if you don't come right back after a weekend home visit, they send cops to your house. Upon release your home is inspected for safety and any renovations done are checked and measured. Like my bed had to be the right height. Fire escapes etc. I'd like to have my box spring back now! No idea where that got put. I need to get my garage door made to work in power failures if I need to get out. I can't walk out on my front steps because it's scary. I fall a lot.

TKDRL
reply to post by noeltrotsky

 

It also varies province to province as well. From talking to family in NS, their quality is better, and so is their wait times compared to here in NB. If I ever need an operation, I am headed back to the US. They screwed up my mom's appendix operation and almost killed her(closest hospital to us, ~2 hours away). Not taking the chance personally.

edit on Sat, 18 Jan 2014 17:46:10 -0600 by TKDRL because: (no reason given)

to be fair this happens in the united states as well despite the fact that health care is outrageously overpriced
i very nearly had a nasty experience of my own with a doctor setting a broken bone improperly
had it not been checked by an additional doctor that wasnt even supposed to be there i would be unable to close my hand properly today

heres a girl whos now braindead after a routine tonsillectomy
www.theguardian.com...
(just one of many examples)
hell you even have instances of surgeons branding their initials on patients internal organs
doesnt matter where you go.... youre always taking a chance
now if you can provide evidence things like this happen far more frequently your position would be valid

I have heard of a number of cases of people having to fly 300 + miles for a CT scan or MRI. and these people were from cities of 30,000 to 50,000 people that did not have CT or MRI services.

Most cities in to US with 30,000 people have one or more CT scanners,

There are few level one trauma hospitals in Canada in cities under 100,000 people.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Of the 22.5% of Canadians who live more than an hour away from a Level I or Level II trauma centers, this causes many deaths as it exceeds the golden hour.

Heart attacks and clot type strokes must be treated with in one hour to prevent permanent damage

reply to post by sirhumperdink


Well put it this way. I know hundreds of people that had surgery in the tristate area, including one brain cancer removal, and a few other major deals, zero had complications at. I know 4 people that had surgery in canada, one died because they didn't get her in soon enough(brain cancer removal), and mom had to have a large portion of stomach and intestines removed due to them not removing all the appendix the first time. That's enough reason for me to want to go back to the states for any kind of major medical procedures lol. Just my opinion. It's pretty inconvenient too living in the sticks, probably better in the cities. It's like a week wait if I want to see my regular doctor. If I want to be seen sooner I got to drive about two hours a way to moncton. Luckily I am used to not going to the doctor much anyways being not able to afford health insurance my whole life in NY lol.

I haven't heard of anyone leaving Canada (and yes, I'm in British Columbia) to get medical treatment that they can't get here.

There are a few "medical tourists" who go to India etc to get things like hip replacements (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) but those are very, very few.

I'll give you an example of "socialized medicine", as you Americans love to call Canadian Health Care.

My father in law was recently diagnosed with operable Cancer, in October 2013. He's already had the surgery and great results came back showing everything ok, and he's been recovering at home for about a month already.

Three days in hospital and major surgery didn't cost him a dime, all covered under Government Health Care. He's a senior, so doesn't pay in to the healthcare program here.

Now, who has the "best healthcare system in the world" as we hear so much from the US Government?

ANNED
I have heard of a number of cases of people having to fly 300 + miles for a CT scan or MRI. and these people were from cities of 30,000 to 50,000 people that did not have CT or MRI services.

Most cities in to US with 30,000 people have one or more CT scanners,

There are few level one trauma hospitals in Canada in cities under 100,000 people.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...

Of the 22.5% of Canadians who live more than an hour away from a Level I or Level II trauma centers, this causes many deaths as it exceeds the golden hour.

Heart attacks and clot type strokes must be treated with in one hour to prevent permanent damage

Well maybe if they don't live near a major city this could be true. I'm fortunate to live near trauma centres and cancer hospitals.

I know it's hard to get back surgery . To get in quicker you have to pay thousands yourself to dr Richard Chan if you're really desperate.

I only know of people going to other countries to get cosmetic surgery cheaper.

boncho
I heard Canadians are basically living in the Soviet Bloc, doctors only see them if they get paid off and amputations are common for minor ailments like a stubbed toe.

Damned commie socialists. It's obvious why they are all fleeing the country to get real paid medicine. (The only kind that can cure you).

You're insane. I live in British Columbia, and can walk into any walk in clinic, hospital that I like and get top notch medical care from any doctor I please, without having to get approval from my health care insurer, and without paying one dime in advance, or even after the visit.

Amputations for stubbed toes? WHAT ?

I have NEVER heard anything like what you describe, EVER.

Well Sarah Palin must have liked the healthcare system in Canada her family used to go to Whitehorse.

And she said ‘I’ll Go To Canada’ for Health Care so it can't be that bad.

Of course I think she was trying to make a different point.

Regarding my previous post I should add this for the gun enthusiasts. When your home is inspected for safety, to return, there are to be no guns on the premises. Now I don't know if this is just for the brain damaged like myself. Would I go mental and shoot a family member? Or would one of them shoot me because I'm such a pain to deal with?
The emotions do run fairly high. There were times I might have shot my husband because he was such a prick to me. One time he tried to lock me outside in sub zero weather. He might have shot me because he said he wanted me to freeze to death. I've divorced him now.

reply to post by violet


Maybe that is just your province, or city. They didn't come searching our house, to try and take our guns, that's for sure lol.

I'm also in British Columbia and believe sometimes people will find alternate care outside Canada for procedures that aren't approved or covered - for example - there is a procedure used for people with Multiple Sclerosis (which I have) where they insert a line into the main artery of the neck to remove blockages. Many people find relief from this, some don't, some get temporary relief then again revert back to previous state.

The irony is this procedure is approved for heart problems in Canada, but not for MS, so it is not covered or even allowed (except in an approved trial study) in Canada. To get this procedure people here have gone to Poland, Egypt and other places at a phenomenal cost of about $30,000.

Another example of leaving to get care is for Lyme's Disease - the protocol that most patients swear works is long term antibiotics - however the medical profession as a whole has a 'prescribed' time for antibiotics and refuse to give them long term. Those rare doctors who have prescribed antibiotics long term for Lymes in Canada have been expelled or quit the system. So people have gone across the border (I think New York state is one example) where the medical profession is okay to prescribe long term antibiotics and get treated there. It costs a small fortune for sure.

Otherwise, if people are employed they pay a monthly premium upwards of $70 a month if you have the income and family - if you are not employed these premiums are waived. For medications (at least in BC) Pharmacare now considers income before covering medications - so someone making $50,000 a year might have to pay for the first $2500 of medications and then after that they are covered (not sure about the numbers, these are just examples). If people are unemployed, the Pharmacare lowers the limit accordingly.

People with private coverage in employment will cover things like ambulances which aren't covered by medical. As well sometimes these employment coverages cover dental care which is not included in medical coverage though there is now a program for young children to have dental care annually that is covered.

Otherwise the only time you have to pay extra is if your doctor has to fill out a form for fitness for employment or need crutches and things like that. Otherwise everything is covered and you can doctor shop all you like and go as often as you like. To see any specialist a doctor just makes a referral and you're referred and completely covered. If you're hospitalized it's all included as is after/home care.

There are some major cities that offer private business MRI scans now where you can pay instead of waiting.

Overall the quality of health care in Canada is excellent - there are always doctors who graduated at the bottom of their class and nurses who are rough and rude, but they are the exception. Some hospitals are horrible to go to and be in because the administration and morale and administration suck big time - others are awesome. I'm lucky to live in a small town with an awesome hospital and have had to go to a nearby town because that's where the specialists practice that is horrible. Mistakes happen anywhere - I think overall in Canada they happen less - the doctors aren't pushed beyond their limits, they can take the time and care required to be a good doctor.

Grimpachi
Well Sarah Palin must have liked the healthcare system in Canada her family used to go to Whitehorse.

And she said ‘I’ll Go To Canada’ for Health Care so it can't be that bad.

Of course I think she was trying to make a different point.

Ha Ha !!

(the dailycurrent is a satire site)

But it's funny anyway !!

Some say she read that herself and then believed it because she couldn't remember not saying it.

boncho
I heard Canadians are basically living in the Soviet Bloc, doctors only see them if they get paid off and amputations are common for minor ailments like a stubbed toe.

Damned commie socialists. It's obvious why they are all fleeing the country to get real paid medicine. (The only kind that can cure you).

I forgot to mention the Canadian death panels, where if it cost more to treat you than you will provide to the socialist state in the rest of your "working years" they make judgements for injecting you with lethal injection.

reply to post by xuenchen

I know it is so funny several others ran it as well.

funny

reply to post by xuenchen


I have private insurance as well as government insurance. Private insurance covers life saving as well as elective health care(massage, accupuncture,physiotherapy,psychiatrist, counseling, dietitions, nutritionists, dental, vision, prescriptions. Hell I think I literally have everything.
Government covers basic health care, doctor visits, hospital visits and care.

if you make less than a certain amount of money, you can get free prescriptions as well.

The health care comes out of income tax, we pay additional taxes for government funded pension(CPP) and unemployment insurance( EI, welfare, income assistance.)

I have never had a problem with our healthcare. No trouble seeing the doctor, or the specialists I've needed to see. The times I've been to the hospital I felt I was treated properly, and fairly. I know there are waiting lists for some surgeries and I know at times the emergency room can be chaotic but that happens in the US as well. It really depends where you are in the country, the same as the US. Some government hospitals are good in the US some are bad, some private hospitals are good in the US some are bad.

I'm 100% for universal healthcare and it's tax money well spent as far as I'm concerned. Of course I'd like to see improvements, I'd also like to see dental covered as well. I worked for many years with out dental, and thankfully I have a good job with amazing benefits. Health care is a fundamental right as far as I'm concerned. You can call me a socialist if you like, but It's what I believe. I have no problem working towards a common good for all of my countrymen and I'm quite proud of it.

reply to post by boncho


I have never heard such a wild claim. I live in a country where we give free health and dental care to homeless drug addicts and they are all still kicking. We give our convicts the same care. If they were going to do it to anyone wouldn't those be the individuals we would expect to see fall victim to such a conspiracy?

reply to post by Hijinx


Dental would be nice.....

boncho
I heard Canadians are basically living in the Soviet Bloc, doctors only see them if they get paid off and amputations are common for minor ailments like a stubbed toe.

Damned commie socialists. It's obvious why they are all fleeing the country to get real paid medicine. (The only kind that can cure you).

Well Russia is our other neighbour
And those amputations are free! As is the after care

Some provinces don't have the monthly premium, not sure how many, but Alberta and Saskatchewan don't have the monthly bill. Blue cross is extra, for dental, vision care, prescriptions, private hospital rooms, ambulance, etc