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Alberta created a free 1-800 number that you can call to discuss symptoms with a registered nurse. If there is any hint that the issue is serious they tell you
by wstrange 8y ago
Alberta created a free 1-800 number that you can call to discuss symptoms with a registered nurse.
If there is any hint that the issue is serious they tell you to go your doctor (or emergency). But for many minor ailments advice over the phone is sufficient.
I suspect the service cuts down a lot of unnecessary visits to emergency.
- rootusrootus 8y agoMy insurance company helpfully offers a service where you can video chat with a doctor or nurse for minor ailments. Then they charge you the full rate as if you had gone into the clinic.
- decebalus1 8y agoMy previous insurance had something like this, which I used 4 times. Every single time, the response was: "hmm... yeah.. that's.. hmm.. I recommend you go to a walk-in clinic. Here's a list of urgent care facilities close to you. Pick one and go there by the end of the day". Completely useless. I guess it has something to do with CYA policies.
- ska 8y agoThere is a selection bias problem here. Walk ins and emergency departments see a lot of people who really didn't need to be there but weren't confident about that. Such a call line could presumably clear most of those out easily. On the other hand, if you don't even call until you are very confident there is a problem that won't resolve itself or whatever, you'll get redirected every time.
- travisoneill1 8y agoDo they check if you're actually from Alberta?
- wstrange 8y agoMy recollection was that they ask for your health care number, but if you provide a correct one they don't have any way of verifying the information. I suppose if the service gets abused they will need to address this.