How Does Health Care In Canada Work?
Canadians get to enjoy a fairly good and effective health care system in Canada. It is also called the Medicare system. The public funding pays for this. The medical services, for the most part, are available through private medical establishments.
Every province has its mandate for what they offer by way of health care. Belonging to the publicly funded system is not mandatory. Yet, all of the provinces use the system. So do the territories.
This health care system is the single-payer system. Private doctors provide the medical services. They then bill the government for the services they provide. There are specific fees that they can charge. Each province sets their guidelines and fees.
Hospital care is also publicly funded. The government covers most costs for hospital care.
Is There Any Cost for Health Care In Canada?
There is a misconception that Canadian health care is free. It is not factual. Canadians are not billed directly from the healthcare providers. They pay for health care in other ways. Taxpayers pay for a portion of their health care through their taxes. How much they will pay depends on their income.
Does the Health Care in Canada Cover Everything?
There is a lot of medical services performed in Canada. The healthcare program may not cover all of them. For many, there is no prescription drug coverage. Dental care isn’t covered. There can be additional costs that individuals have to pay. Sometimes they have to pay for additional medical supplies. Also, for example, dressings for wounds. Or for crutches.
In some doctor offices, patients require certain drugs. The healthcare program may not cover some of these.
Is Everyone Entitled to Health Care In Canada?
To be eligible for Canadian health care coverage you must be a Canadian citizen. Or a permanent resident. Plus, those that qualify usually have some identification. It is the identification that’s presented each time health care is sought out. Unless one is going for health care not provided by the Universal health care.
Every Province is Different
It is important to note that every province has their mandate for health care coverage. For example, Ontario has their own specific rules. Rules applicable to the health coverage. Also, the same goes for the other Provinces. The Federal government provides each province with a designated amount of money. It is to cover the cost of healthcare services.
Can Visitors Get Health Care in Canada?
It is very important that those that are visiting Canada arrange for health care coverage. It is not available to them by the Canadian Government. Most often visitors will arrange for this through travel insurance. It is not mandatory for visitors to have this insurance. Plus, medical care is very expensive in Canada. Visitors can end up with huge bills if they don’t have travel insurance. Also, the insurance they may have in their place of origin, will not likely cover these expenses.
Is There Private Insurance for Health Care in Canada?
There are several Insurance providers in Canada that offer private medical insurance. It’s to cover many of the additional costs. It is for those costs that the basic insurance does not cover.
Private insurance may be available in a variety of ways. Many places of employment have group medical coverage plans. Some of the businesses pay for the cost of this. Others will pay a portion. Then there are others where the employees pay the full cost. Also, they are getting the insurance cheaper as a group plan.
The Benefits of Private Health Care Programs
Those that opt into the private healthcare enjoy many different benefits.
It is insurance that covers a lot of costs not covered under the Medicare program. Some of these private insurances offer extended benefits.
The provincial governments pay for the basic hospital care in Canada. An individual admitted to the hospital gets public ward accommodations. It means there can be four or more people in a room. Although this varies in each province.
People with private insurance may have extra coverage for this. They may have coverage that allows them to have a semi-private room. It means there are only two people in a room. Or they may opt for private coverage. In that case, they get a room to themselves.
One of the major health care expenses in Canada can be dental care. The Universal health care program does not normally cover this. Although if dental care takes place in the hospital, then some of this may be free.
Shopping for Private Health Care
There are several different Insurance institutions that offer private health care coverage. A good way to narrow down the choices is by getting quotes for this insurance. There are many different types of plans available. It is important to look them over carefully. Everyone will have their own specific needs. Sometimes the plans are offered in modules. For example, there may be additional medical coverage. Then there may be another plan that pertains to dental care only. In other instances, there are programs that are in one package.
How Much Will Private Health Care Insurance Cost?
It will all depend on several factors. There are some plans that cover the family. Then it will also depend on the type of plan. It could also depend on whether it is a group plan. It is that obtained through a place of employment.
Is It Worth Investing in a Private Health Care Plan?
Again this will depend on the individual circumstances. Plus, some find they need more health care than others. There are some individuals that enjoy the extra conveniences of private health care. For example, the type of room they may get in a hospital.
Many of the plans offer payment for care that helps to extend the recovery of an individual. Or it may help to cover services that are not as recognized by Universal health care. Also, for example, massage therapy, or acupuncture.
It all comes down to the individual needs of each person.
