3 ms·

I've heard too many horror stories (and from people with supposedly good insurance) to consider moving from Canada to the States. Illness in the family is hard

I've heard too many horror stories (and from people with supposedly good insurance) to consider moving from Canada to the States. Illness in the family is hard enough without a serious likelihood of bankruptcy. The Canadian system certainly has issues, but for the most part I think it works okay. Can any other Canadians comment on their experiences? Are there any who would prefer American-style healthcare?

lotusleaf1987 16y ago
Pfff...are you kidding me? Let me give you an example I have mid to mid-premium insurance. I went to a new dentist a while back and he tells me he needs to take xrays which seems normal, only this time the xrays go on, and on, and on. He takes 32 x-rays of my teeth (while I am asking if this is absolutely necessary and he continues to say 'yes, yes it is'). My insurance company denies the bill, passes it on to me for $10 per xray (they covered 8).... Another time I went to the doctor for an ingrown hair, had them give me a cortizone shot and got a bill for "surgery" for $200. It's highway robbery and there's nothing you can do about it. Most Americans just put up with it because they don't know what else to do. You pay for insurance and then the insurance doesn't even cover basic stuff like it should, they try to get you to get so frustrated that you'll give up and just pay it. It's a broken, horrible, frustrating system.
- tdfx 16y ago
  I recently had something similar happen to me. I've got an individual PPO plan and my "routine checkup" was over $400. It was less than 15 minutes long... insurance company notified me that I am responsible for $171 beyond the $30 co-pay that I was required to pay at the checkup. I'm not sure sure whether to blame the insurance or the doctor, as both are clearly screwing people out of money.

3 ms·

I've heard too many horror stories (and from people with supposedly good insurance) to consider moving from Canada to the States. Illness in the family is hard

by rikthevik 16y ago

lotusleaf1987 16y ago
Pfff...are you kidding me? Let me give you an example I have mid to mid-premium insurance. I went to a new dentist a while back and he tells me he needs to take xrays which seems normal, only this time the xrays go on, and on, and on. He takes 32 x-rays of my teeth (while I am asking if this is absolutely necessary and he continues to say 'yes, yes it is'). My insurance company denies the bill, passes it on to me for $10 per xray (they covered 8).... Another time I went to the doctor for an ingrown hair, had them give me a cortizone shot and got a bill for "surgery" for $200. It's highway robbery and there's nothing you can do about it. Most Americans just put up with it because they don't know what else to do. You pay for insurance and then the insurance doesn't even cover basic stuff like it should, they try to get you to get so frustrated that you'll give up and just pay it. It's a broken, horrible, frustrating system.
- tdfx 16y ago
  I recently had something similar happen to me. I've got an individual PPO plan and my "routine checkup" was over $400. It was less than 15 minutes long... insurance company notified me that I am responsible for $171 beyond the $30 co-pay that I was required to pay at the checkup. I'm not sure sure whether to blame the insurance or the doctor, as both are clearly screwing people out of money.