How did you deal with health care changes?

[Inky 1,111]

That actually sounds a bit discriminatory, no? I have been eligible for the same insurance as all of my co-workers and I'm not a citizen either.

I've also had 3 different jobs in the US and I've never encountered this before ever.

I would have to say it is. They wouldn't offer anything else, I had to pick that only single plan they had from cobra because "I was not a US citizen." needless to say I rejected it because it was too expensive and didn't seem fair.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I would have to say it is. They wouldn't offer anything else, I had to pick that only single plan they had from cobra because "I was not a US citizen." needless to say I rejected it because it was too expensive and didn't seem fair.

Hmm, that sounds really fishy. I just asked my husband who works in HR and he said that doesn't sound right and you should contact the dept of labor to find out if that's even legal.

[LuvIllinois 1]

Thank you for all the comments on this, it has been very helpful. I know my hubby had printed me out stuff to look at but I was too worried about getting my visa first to worry about anything else. My GP here in Ontario is not bad, WHEN I can see him. But he has way too many patients and I can barely talk to him for 15 min and I still don't feel like we've gone over everything. I'm in good health but I always worried about it when I got older or if I really did end up with some serious issues.

I will look over his plans again. In theory he knows them well, but since he never goes to the doctor, I don't think he remembers how to go about it again, LOL

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I've worked in Family practice in Ontario for 7 years now, with a one year stint at an Obstetrician's office, and 2 years at a Urologist's office. So I get to see just how much that visit to the doctor costs you here, via OHIP, of course you don't see it, but I'm sure taxes are higher here than in most of the States.

A 15 minute surgery requires booking the OR theatre for 45 minutes, as they have to sterilize it before and after every surgery, so there's a fee for that. Then you have the Anesthetist's bill, and then the surgeon's bill, depending on what he's doing, it can range greatly. I know of two simple procedures that are done all the time that cost the taxpayer 5000 bucks, and yes, they're both 15 minute surgeries.

That physical at your doctor's office? Not counting any testing, as I don't see that, the doctor bills about 100$ for a half hour of your time. A ten minute visit is 37$

A wait for a colonoscopy with a gastroenterologist in Kitchener Waterloo is currently 1 to 1 1/2 years for screening only, and there's even new private style clinics that have popped up to do nothing but this test as the wait is so long, but if you want the Gastroenterologist and not just the clinic guys to do it, you have to wait.

Dermatology referrals for routine screening is either outright refused by the doctor, or booked a year away. Allergists routinely book a year away. ENT in our area is not so long, maybe 4-5 months, Diabetic counseling is about 6 months, there are no Psychiatrists taking OHIP referrals at all, unless you see them at emerg, and that's always a one shot deal.

Yes, we have a lack of doctors, but we also have a culture of entitlement here. When I get emerg reports for patients that went to the Emerg and racked up hundreds of dollars worth of health care (yes I know the hospital fees too) for getting a sliver, it irks me. Parents that take their kids to emerg with a sore throat when they could see their doctor instead... people going to the doctor for colds, bruises, and there's nothing we can do for them... I think that if they were given even a marginal up front fee, a lot of the visits would stop. Most of it is common sense. We even joke at work, do you think we'll see anyone today that I needed a medical degree for?

As to medications, yes they're cheaper here, but a lot of the people that are on Ontario Drug Benefit because they can't afford it are often told by the ODB that they can't have the drug the doctor prescribed and have to go with something else instead, and the doctor is left scrambling, wanting to give them the meds they need, but can't afford. At least the drug reps help us out with free meds for select patients, but it doesn't help the majority.

Funny how the medical industry in Canada thinks that privatization of the health care system will save it here, and in the US, it's the exact opposite. (sorry 'bout the rant!)