CANADIAN HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM -at a glance !!!

Canadian Health Care System
(Just a brief overview of things to expect at our new Homeland)

Is our Health Care Free in Canada?
In a non-technical sense [generally speaking], yes -it is "Free". However, technically it is indirectly charged to us vide the various forms of taxes that we pay against almost everything in Canada. But, overall it is fairly a good system, well managed and an envious one to many nations.

How the Health Care is Delivered?
Though governed under the 'Canada Health Act' & Publicly Funded, the healthcare is not Federal but a provincial matter. Canada's health care system is actually an interlocking set of 10 provincial and 3 territorial health insurance plans. Known to Canadians as "medicare," the system provides access to universal, comprehensive coverage for medically necessary hospital and physician services. These services are administered and delivered by the provincial & territorial governments, and are provided free of charge. The provincial and territorial governments fund health care services with assistance from the federal government. *More details given at the end.

What Medical Benefits we get for Free?
The medical benefits, called by any name [eg. the Medical Services Plan (MSP)-in BC] provides the following benefits:
   •   Medically required services provided by a physician;
   •   Maternity care provided by a physician or a midwife;
   •   Medically required eye examinations provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist;
   •   Diagnostic services, including x-rays and laboratory services, when ordered by a registered physician or surgeon;
   •   Dental and oral surgery, when medically required to be performed in hospital;
   •   Orthodontic services related to severe congenital facial abnormalities;
   •   Complete Emergency Treatment.

Which Services are Not Covered?
The Medicare does not cover for the following:
   • Over-the-Counter Drugs/Medicines;
   • Prescription drugs (eg. PharmaCare http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/index.html);
   • Services that are deemed not medically required, such as Cosmetic Surgery;
   • Dental services, except as outlined under benefits;
   • Routine eye examinations for persons 19 to 64 years of age;
   • Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other equipment or appliances;
   • Massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy etc.;
   • Preventive services and screening tests (eg. routine annual physical exams);
   • Services of counsellors or psychologists;
   • Medical examinations, certificates or tests required for:
   --◦ Driving a motor vehicle
   --◦ Employment
   --◦ Life Insurance
   --◦ School or University
   --◦ Recreational and Sporting activities
   --◦ Immigration purposes

How to Access the Medicare?
The health care is provided in 2 stages [generally speaking -though other complex issues are involved]. First, we head to the Family Physician, Then we may be referred for a Hospital care.

What Happens First (Primary Health Care Services)?
When Canadians need health care, they generally contact a primary health care professional, who could be a family doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, pharmacist, etc. Services provided at the first point of contact form the foundation of the health care system.

Primary health care services often include prevention and treatment of common diseases and injuries; basic emergency services; referrals to and coordination with other levels of care, such as hospital and specialist care; health promotion; primary maternity care etc.

What Happens Next (Secondary Services)?
A patient may be referred for specialized care at a hospital or at a long-term care facility. The majority of Canadian hospitals are operated by community boards of trustees, voluntary organizations or municipalities. Hospitals are paid through annual budgets negotiated with the provincial and territorial ministries of health.

*FUNDING FOR THE MEDICARE:
Each province administers a health care insurance plan for residents. These plans provide coverage from Primary medical care to Hospitalization to Emergency Response; and is available to all Canadian residents (including Permanent Residents).
· The method of paying for health care costs vary by province. In some areas, you are required to pay a monthly premium for coverage (i.e. Alberta). In other provinces, the cost is incorporated into the provincial tax system.
· Additional medical insurance for services not covered by provincial health care is also available through programs such as Blue Cross. These supplemental extended plans only cover over and above the basic coverage the provincial plans provide. (See http://www.bluecross.ca)

SOURCE & FURTHER READING:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care_in_Canada
2) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
3) http://users.eastlink.ca/~dhh/index_files/page0004.html
4) http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/benefits.html

Hope that helped.
Qorax