Working in Canadian Health Care...what You Should Know!

As a social worker in Alberta covering Surgical units in a local city hospital, I often find consults to assist patients/families confirming needed health care coverage and its costs. 

Unfortunately there are often misconceptions about the Canadian Health Care system that result is very stressful situations of not only dealing with an illness or tragic accident but also financial stress. Some comments I get...

• Just because you have dual citizenship with Canada does not mean you have health are coverage

• Health care is free right? Can I bring my child for a specialized treatment and it will be covered? My country does not have this procedure.

• Used to have coverage in BC about 6 months ago, should be still valid right?

• We couldn’t get the right operation for our elderly mother in her country so thought it would be better in Canada

• Travel medical insurance, yes about $15,000 should cover it right?

• Our travel insurance is in Korean.

• Why am I signing this form that I will have to pay hospital bills?

• Secure chats from physicians on how are they going to get paid? Travel insurance details? Covered by WCB?

Provincial Coverage: Canadians must have a valid provincial health card for health insurance plans to cover services received while in hospital, such as the cost of a standard room. Coverage from another province is valid for 3 months but then must apply for the local health care coverage. Alberta has not charged families and individuals for health care coverage fees since about 2008. Additional costs if a patient requests and receives a private or semi-private room, they will also receive a bill for the room. Prescriptions and dental coverage are not covered by standard Alberta Health Care.

If on Income Support, AISH or Interim Federal Health Care the above is covered. Alberta Blue Cross has plans and Alberta Seniors Blue Cross has cost share benefits.

Waiting Placement fees: Once assessed as to what level of higher care is  needed and to be medically stable, Alberta will charge patients a daily rate to those waiting to transfer long term care facility. It  starts from the start of their wait and continues until the date they can move into a care facility. Fees can be waived for financial reasons and if on AISH or Alberta Seniors Benefit the waiting placement fees are covered.

Visitors to Canada: Visitors who aren't Canadian residents are not covered by our government health insurance plans. Visitors need to be aware that the universal health care coverage available to Canadian residents is not extended to them.

This means that visitors should seriously consider purchasing travel insurance in order to avoid expensive costs for medical care during a trip to Canada.Visitors could end up facing significant out-of-pocket medical expenses if an illness or accident occurs while they're in Canada. While visiting a walk-in clinic will cost about $2,000, emergency treatment at a hospital can be many thousands of dollars.The average cost of a standard hospital stay in Canada is $7,619. A surgery bed costs I think $2K for an inpatient bed and $6K/day for ICU.

Travel health insurance will protect visitors from unexpected costs due to sudden illness, accidents or other health and medical emergencies, including those treated at a hospital. Also check pre-existing conditions as they will not be covered.

Consider getting a fair bit of coverage at a minimum $100,000. You can also reduce your premium by choosing a deductible amount which you will be responsible for paying in the event of a claim

Parent or Grandparent Super Visa 10 year Applicants: A key requirement by the Canadian government for a Super Visa application is to provide proof that you have a minimum of $100,000 private medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company in place.