So the single payer system up there doesn’t cover everything then? Do you buy insurance only for things the single payer system doesn’t cover, or do you have to completely buy private health insurance to get that kind of coverage?
No it does not cover everything, and it’ll vary province to province what is covered. In Ontario, things like dental and vision care are not covered. Pretty much anything that happens in a hospital is covered, so if you have surgery and they give you medication while in the hospital it’s free. But if they prescribe you something and send you home, you pay for it (like with certain expensive cancer drugs). But if you want a private room that will cost you extra (if you have insurance they may cover it), if one is even available. Our current hospital situation is really bad, it’s overloaded and nurses and doctors are leaving and burnt out.
Years ago I fainted and someone called an ambulance and I was charged 100 bucks for the ride, it was deemed unnecessary or something so I got charged. I was really young and it was a long time ago so I can’t remember exactly. But I’ve heard others haven’t been charged for ambulance rides so it’s a case by case basis I suppose.
Basically life saving care for emergency stuff like your appendix is about to burst will be covered by OHIP but if you have something like a tooth abscess or need glasses you will have to use insurance or pay out of pocket. For example, bariatric surgery is covered, but there is a very strict guideline for qualifying, otherwise you need to pay it yourself.
Pharmaceuticals are not covered unless you are poor and qualify for the Trillium drug coverage that Ontario offers.
Our system is far, far from perfect but I would take it over the US’s current system anyday.
Where I live, in Canada, if you aren’t insured a plane trip to a hospital will cost you upwards of $30k
Hey stop appropriating my American culture.
So the single payer system up there doesn’t cover everything then? Do you buy insurance only for things the single payer system doesn’t cover, or do you have to completely buy private health insurance to get that kind of coverage?
No it does not cover everything, and it’ll vary province to province what is covered. In Ontario, things like dental and vision care are not covered. Pretty much anything that happens in a hospital is covered, so if you have surgery and they give you medication while in the hospital it’s free. But if they prescribe you something and send you home, you pay for it (like with certain expensive cancer drugs). But if you want a private room that will cost you extra (if you have insurance they may cover it), if one is even available. Our current hospital situation is really bad, it’s overloaded and nurses and doctors are leaving and burnt out. Years ago I fainted and someone called an ambulance and I was charged 100 bucks for the ride, it was deemed unnecessary or something so I got charged. I was really young and it was a long time ago so I can’t remember exactly. But I’ve heard others haven’t been charged for ambulance rides so it’s a case by case basis I suppose. Basically life saving care for emergency stuff like your appendix is about to burst will be covered by OHIP but if you have something like a tooth abscess or need glasses you will have to use insurance or pay out of pocket. For example, bariatric surgery is covered, but there is a very strict guideline for qualifying, otherwise you need to pay it yourself. Pharmaceuticals are not covered unless you are poor and qualify for the Trillium drug coverage that Ontario offers. Our system is far, far from perfect but I would take it over the US’s current system anyday.