Please tell me about Canadian healthcare--possible move to Toronto upcoming

[Harriet Vane]

Folks,

 

A Toronto firm wants to fly dh in for an interview next week. I find Toronto appealing on many levels, but am concerned about socialized medicine.

 

Please understand that my fears are based on my experience. I lived for several years as a teen/young adult on Medicaid, and have some pretty awful stories about how difficult it was to get proper care, and how demeaning some drs and nurses could be.

 

Now, as an adult, I have been thankful many, many times to have PPO insurance--I have needed that freedom. My ds has struggled with a mild heart condition (no longer an issue, thank God) and chronic anemia, as well as ongoing allergy issues. I was thankful for the PPO this past summer when ds broke his foot--I was soooo glad to be able to just switch drs when the one we had was not treating effectively.

 

Now, in the immediate future, I am contemplating major, ongoing dental work for ds due to two broken front teeth (upcoming double root canal is only the tip of the iceberg). Ds will need orthodontia, and it will be complicated due to his broken teeth. Also my dd really, really needs braces right away (we were postponing until we knew what would happen with dh's job/where we would live).

 

We have no idea if Toronto will pan out or not (and frankly, are praying that a position in Madison, WI will come through instead). But as long as Toronto is possible, I'd like to think through my concerns realistically.

 

Summary:

 

--What is Canadian health care like on a day to day basis?

--How does it work for special situations (ds' root canals, complicated orthodontia)?

--How does it work for routine orthodontia for dd?

--Chiropractic care?

 

ETA: What about vaccination?? My kids are partially vaccinated, and the vaccinations they have received have been on a slower schedule.

 

Thanks.

Edited September 15, 2010 by strider

[dirty ethel rackham]

Can't help you on the Canadian health care questions, but I just have to say that you just can't leave Illinois!! We'd miss you!

[freethinkermama]

Strider--

No ideas here, sorry. But I just want to tell you my hubby and I are in the EXACT same situation. Hubby looking at a job in Toronto, but hoping Madison comes through first. Weird!

T.

[Harriet Vane]

Can't help you on the Canadian health care questions, but I just have to say that you just can't leave Illinois!! We'd miss you!

 

:blush: Awww .. .

 

I'll admit, a job in Chicago would be much simpler (and cheaper). On the other hand, I'm ready for a bigger yard and less house, less rehab. It's in God's hands--we'll go where there is a job for dh.

[Harriet Vane]

Strider--

No ideas here, sorry. But I just want to tell you my hubby and I are in the EXACT same situation. Hubby looking at a job in Toronto, but hoping Madison comes through first. Weird!

T.

 

Yes, that is weird! What does your dh do?

[freethinkermama]

Ecology research.

Yours?

[Harriet Vane]

Ecology research.

Yours?

 

Actuary.

 

Glad they're not in competition for the same jobs! :tongue_smilie:

[freethinkermama]

Me too :)

I thought it unlikely. But. . . it's a small world.

[WarriorMama]

Well you've got to realize that Canadian healthcare is not remotely like Medicaid. There's no stigma or difficulty getting care because EVERYBODY is using the same system. It can sometimes be hard finding a family doctor in Toronto who's taking patients, but it can be done.

 

Dental work, chiropractic care and orthodontia are NOT covered by provincial healthcare (neither are prescription medications). If your dh were hired by a company he would be offered supplementary health benefits through them. Basically they take a small percentage out of your paycheck that goes to health insurance for the things standard healthcare doesn't cover (like the ones I mentioned above). Depending on the company this could be great coverage or mediocre. Otherwise you pay out of pocket for these services.

 

Hope that helps!

Edited September 15, 2010 by WarriorMama

[Harriet Vane]

Well you've got to realize that Canadian healthcare is not remotely like Medicaid. There's no stigma or difficulty getting care because EVERYBODY is using the same system. It can sometimes be hard finding a family doctor in Toronto who's taking patients, but it can be done.

 

Dental work, chiropractic care and orthodontia are NOT covered by provincial healthcare (neither are prescription medications). If your dh were hired by a company he would be offered supplementary health benefits through them. Basically they take a small percentage out of your paycheck that goes to health insurance for the things standard healthcare doesn't cover (like the ones I mentioned above). Depending on the company this could be great coverage or mediocre. Otherwise you pay out of pocket for these services.

 

Hope that helps!

 

This is quite helpful. Thanks! :)

 

One further question--what's the policy on vaccination? My kids are partially vaccinated, and the ones they have received have been on a slower schedule.

[cjzimmer1]

Folks,

 

 

 

 

We have no idea if Toronto will pan out or not (and frankly, are praying that a position in Madison, WI will come through instead). But as long as Toronto is possible, I'd like to think through my concerns realistically.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Strider--

No ideas here, sorry. But I just want to tell you my hubby and I are in the EXACT same situation. Hubby looking at a job in Toronto, but hoping Madison comes through first. Weird!

T.

 

Can't help you with Canadian Healthcare but if either of you end up in Madison, feel free to PM if you want any additional information about the area.

[elfgivas]

most of my family live in the toronto area. i grew up there. it is not socialized medicine; it is universal health care and there is a world of difference. you get to choose your doctor. in toronto, there are some great options, as you can well imagine. dental is not covered, but most employers have a form of dental coverage you can choose.

 

hmmmm.... come to think of it, you probably need to take me with you to help you navigate the waters.... yes, definitely, that is the thing to do ;)

 

hope a job is forthcoming somewhere, soon!

ann

[Audrey]

I think you need to ask Ontarians specifically, since each province has its own slant on what is covered.

 

Here is a link I found that gives all the info on OHIP (the Ontario Health Insurance Plan). The sidebar has links to more specifics.

[4kids4me]

This is quite helpful. Thanks! :)

 

One further question--what's the policy on vaccination? My kids are partially vaccinated, and the ones they have received have been on a slower schedule.

 

ITA with WarriorMama. Don't worry about vaccinations...we have the choice to vaccinate or not, though I do believe if your child is going into the public education system you have to be vaccinated.

 

To get an idea of what my husband's benefits cover (of course, everyone's is different, but just so you have an idea)...

 

Dentist -- routine exams, etc are covered twice a year and it pays for 100% of routine treatments (dental surgery and root canal is under this part), 90% of major treatments (crowns, dentures, etc) and 75% of orthodontics $2,500 lifetime max, which kind of sucks).

 

-chiropractor (I think it pays $10 per session, which isn't great, and after I spend $500 it pays more)

 

You can get in quickly to see a dentist, so don't worry about that.

 

Like WarriorMama said, it'll be harder finding a doctor, but you'll find one. With the doctor in the clinic I go to, I can see my own, or I can see another one if mine isn't available. So if I want to see mine for anything non-urgent, it'll take a month or two (mine is SUPER overbooked...that's a RIDICULOUS wait time if you ask me), or if I need to be seen sooner, I can take another doctor (I can get an app't within a week), or I can call in the morning if I have something super-urgent and they'll find me one that day. They also have a walk-in clinic for their patients in the evenings and I can go then. If I need to see a specialist, if it isn't urgent it can take anywhere from a month to a number of months (say a month for a gyn app't, or a number of months to see a paediatric neurologist). If it's urgent they'll get you in way sooner. My son has an MRI booked and the app't is about 10 weeks from when they made it (non-urgent).

 

If we go to emerg, you're looking at usually a minimum 4 hour wait time, but our hospital also has a "fast-track" clinic...so if it's not too urgent, then they send you next door (or next room) there. It speeds things up for less urgent issues (my son's lip completely split and his gum was also cut when my daughter hit him in the face with a hockey stick...accidentally as she lost her balance on the ice...I thought he'd be seen in emerg, but it turned out he was sent to fast-track, where the wait was 45 min or so and the head of emerg stitched him up). Of course, you've got to love that you walk away from all these app't without having to pay a dime (well, of course we pay it in taxes, but still it's nice not giving an ear-ache a second thought).

 

Again touching base on the chiropractor...anything that OHIP doesn't pay for, like chiropractor, dentist, massage, psychologist, etc, you can get an app't sooner. :)

 

I hope that helps. Good luck with everything!

 

Caralyn

[Harriet Vane]

Can't help you with Canadian Healthcare but if either of you end up in Madison, feel free to PM if you want any additional information about the area.

 

Thank you! That's a kind offer--I'll definitely keep you in mind. :)

[Harriet Vane]

most of my family live in the toronto area. i grew up there. it is not socialized medicine; it is universal health care and there is a world of difference. you get to choose your doctor. in toronto, there are some great options, as you can well imagine. dental is not covered, but most employers have a form of dental coverage you can choose.

 

hmmmm.... come to think of it, you probably need to take me with you to help you navigate the waters.... yes, definitely, that is the thing to do ;)

 

hope a job is forthcoming somewhere, soon!

ann

 

Thanks--we too hope a job is forthcoming somewhere soon! It's been almost seven months of job searching. We are thankful for dh's current job but eager to settle into a more positive situation.

 

Are you in Ontario?

[Harriet Vane]

I think you need to ask Ontarians specifically, since each province has its own slant on what is covered.

 

Here is a link I found that gives all the info on OHIP (the Ontario Health Insurance Plan). The sidebar has links to more specifics.

 

This is really helpful. Thank you! :)

[Harriet Vane]

ITA with WarriorMama. Don't worry about vaccinations...we have the choice to vaccinate or not, though I do believe if your child is going into the public education system you have to be vaccinated.

 

To get an idea of what my husband's benefits cover (of course, everyone's is different, but just so you have an idea)...

 

Dentist -- routine exams, etc are covered twice a year and it pays for 100% of routine treatments (dental surgery and root canal is under this part), 90% of major treatments (crowns, dentures, etc) and 75% of orthodontics $2,500 lifetime max, which kind of sucks).

 

-chiropractor (I think it pays $10 per session, which isn't great, and after I spend $500 it pays more)

 

You can get in quickly to see a dentist, so don't worry about that.

 

Like WarriorMama said, it'll be harder finding a doctor, but you'll find one. With the doctor in the clinic I go to, I can see my own, or I can see another one if mine isn't available. So if I want to see mine for anything non-urgent, it'll take a month or two (mine is SUPER overbooked...that's a RIDICULOUS wait time if you ask me), or if I need to be seen sooner, I can take another doctor (I can get an app't within a week), or I can call in the morning if I have something super-urgent and they'll find me one that day. They also have a walk-in clinic for their patients in the evenings and I can go then. If I need to see a specialist, if it isn't urgent it can take anywhere from a month to a number of months (say a month for a gyn app't, or a number of months to see a paediatric neurologist). If it's urgent they'll get you in way sooner. My son has an MRI booked and the app't is about 10 weeks from when they made it (non-urgent).

 

If we go to emerg, you're looking at usually a minimum 4 hour wait time, but our hospital also has a "fast-track" clinic...so if it's not too urgent, then they send you next door (or next room) there. It speeds things up for less urgent issues (my son's lip completely split and his gum was also cut when my daughter hit him in the face with a hockey stick...accidentally as she lost her balance on the ice...I thought he'd be seen in emerg, but it turned out he was sent to fast-track, where the wait was 45 min or so and the head of emerg stitched him up). Of course, you've got to love that you walk away from all these app't without having to pay a dime (well, of course we pay it in taxes, but still it's nice not giving an ear-ache a second thought).

 

Again touching base on the chiropractor...anything that OHIP doesn't pay for, like chiropractor, dentist, massage, psychologist, etc, you can get an app't sooner. :)

 

I hope that helps. Good luck with everything!

 

Caralyn

 

Thank you--knowing the day to day reality is helpful. Actually, this thread has calmed my fears significantly.

 

Now if we could just do something about the ten hour drive from family . . .

[C_l_e_0..Q_c]

The only time I used any medical services in Ontario, it was 'emergency' (ear pain) at the hospital. We had just walked out the train station, DD was on her way to a national competition, and the ear pain had started at 6AM back home, and it was Canada Day, everything was closed. So the ER was the only option. I wasn't thrilled. In Quebec that would have meant a wait of 24 hours. In Toronto, it was 3 hours. I was impressed! After all, it was no emergency. There was a shooting victim at about the same time, who was (obviously) treated right away. Compared to the shooting, DD's ear pain was far from an emergency!

 

They also agreed to let us go back to our hotel to register, and come back to the hospital without losing our priority. It took us a tad longer, and when we got back they had already called DD. In Quebec, that would have meant a closed file, and a start from scratch. In Toronto, it just meant they took her right away and treated her with antibiotics.

 

Total cost: 0$ for the doctor. Antibiotics were covered by private insurance.

[Audrey]

 

Now if we could just do something about the ten hour drive from family . . .

 

 

That was the hardest part for me. I really wish Skype had been around when my dad was still alive. It isn't the same as being there, but it is pretty close. I Skype with my brother all the time now. We haven't been in the same country together in years, but it doesn't feel like so far apart when we have our regular Sunday Skype call.

[WarriorMama]

This is quite helpful. Thanks! :)

 

One further question--what's the policy on vaccination? My kids are partially vaccinated, and the ones they have received have been on a slower schedule.

 

You can delay or refuse vaccinations here. Like in the states, it's more an issue of finding a doctor who respects your choice and won't try to push you into it. Schools will want vaccination records, but you can get around those also.

[WarriorMama]

Like WarriorMama said, it'll be harder finding a doctor, but you'll find one. With the doctor in the clinic I go to, I can see my own, or I can see another one if mine isn't available. So if I want to see mine for anything non-urgent, it'll take a month or two (mine is SUPER overbooked...that's a RIDICULOUS wait time if you ask me), or if I need to be seen sooner, I can take another doctor (I can get an app't within a week), or I can call in the morning if I have something super-urgent and they'll find me one that day. They also have a walk-in clinic for their patients in the evenings and I can go then.

 

Caralyn

 

Mine is super overbooked also, it's crazy. It's not as bad as my last doc, whose practice I left because it was impossible to ever get an appointment...

[Embassy]

I moved from the USA. Heathcare here is nice. It can be hard to find a doctor though, but you can always go to a walk in clinic. My dh went last week and it took him less than 30 minutes from the time he walked in the door until he left. You can change doctors anytime you want. My dh didn't like the first dr he chose so he found another one that he loves. My ds who has no medical card yet went to the dr and the charge was $50. He was sent to the hospital and was seen by 5 doctors, given tests, received an IV, etc and the total cost came to $290. All I could say was wow! Care was excellent and immediate and cheap! I've been to the dentist here several times too. It is also much cheaper than the USA. I take my daughter in every couple months for a special treatment. Bill? $25. That is the total cost, not what our supplemental insurance doesn't cover.

 

The healthcare here makes it hard to ever want to move back to the States.

[nmoira]

The biggest practical difference you will notice is that everything is co-ordinated through a general practitioner's office or medical group clinic. I don't know to what extent things might have changed since I left Ontario 11 years ago, but then GP's office would even make your initial appointment with the specialist. I like this system because it helps avoid duplicate tests and keeps a copy of all your medical records in one place.

 

Your dental and drug benefits will depend on the employer. Employers also usually provide supplementary health insurance, which may cover some procedures or equipment not covered by OHIP (e.g massage and chiropractic therapy, some durable and disposible medical equipment), and an upgrade to a semi-private rather than a ward-type hospital room. Durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs are covered at at least 75% with a documentation from the doctor -- I've been through this with both my parents and the process was a breeze.

 

I'd *never* seen a bill from a medical practitioner prior to moving to the US. It took me forever to figure out that EOB's were little more than announcements that a bill is coming. :tongue_smilie:

[Harriet Vane]

Thanks again for all the information. You've given me a clear picture, and I feel reassured. Dh has two phone interviews next week, and they have asked him to go up in a few weeks. We have no idea if anything will come of this, but pray God will settle the question soon.