Canuck with no medical insurance - prepare for emergenncy"?

[joebedford]

Last year, I was in Florida for 4.5 months with no emergency medical insurance. I knew that the thing that was stopping my eligibility was bogus so I wasn't worried health-wise. An accident? That would have been a problem.

Anyway, this year I had a couple of stents installed so even though I'm 12 months stable for last year's bogus condition, the 12 month clock has started again.

I've been checked top to bottom now and I'm healthier than I thought I was last year. I'm willing to chance it again this year but maybe not as long.

I understand about jumping on the first plane to Canada if I get sick or even getting a drive home if I can last two days. I know if I'm suddenly and severely sick, probably neither option will work - my bad luck.

Does anybody take "supplies" in case of emergency. Like, I don't know, maybe oxygen?

Suggestions welcome but don't bother saying "don't go" as that's a strictly personal choice.

[T18skyguy]

joebedford wrote:
Generous? Hahahaha. Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

But that's not the debate - what can I take with me to mitigate possible problems?

A small canister of oxygen could help if you get a bout of angina. Don't miss your regular meds, and stay on a blood thinner if your doctor has you on one. It's not just what you can take with you it's also what you can do; all the stuff you've heard before; control your weight, blood pressure, no smoking, exercise, try as much as possible to eat lean. Remember the old saying "We dig our graves with our forks and spoons." It's a good thing you don't have any US assets. Here in the US medical bills are now the leading cause of bankruptcy at 62% of all filings, and 78% of those had some kind of health insurance but it wasn't enough. When you get admitted to a hospital here, you sign a bunch of forms. One of those forms is permission to put a lien on your property if you can't pay. Lots of people lose their homes that way. Good luck.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

I was full time in my class C. No property tax. No Township tax. No County tax. Some sales tax--about 11% for the time I was in Saskatchewan. But that, since I'm frugal, cost me perhaps 1200 for that time.

But I did pay LOTS of sales tax in Florida. Some how I don't think that went to Canada.

A broken leg in Canada costs $65 if you want a walking cast. DAMHIK.

On the other hand it might cost, without health insurance, surgical treatment of a broken leg typically costs $17,000 to $35,000 or more, in good ole USA.

fitznj wrote:
My tax on 57k was less than 6k. So much for "tax liability".

What no sales tax in Canada? Property Tax? Township tax? County tax?
and the other multitude of taxes.

The cost for health care has to come from somewhere, if not from
you then from your neighbour. It's certainly not "free" as you
stated.

As stated, the USA is an exceptionally generous country, if you have
medical emergency, you won't be left on the sidewalk and left to die.

[fitznj]

My tax on 57k was less than 6k. So much for "tax liability".

What no sales tax in Canada? Property Tax? Township tax? County tax?
and the other multitude of taxes.

The cost for health care has to come from somewhere, if not from
you then from your neighbour. It's certainly not "free" as you
stated.

As stated, the USA is an exceptionally generous country, if you have
medical emergency, you won't be left on the sidewalk and left to die.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

If you have a medical issue, buy a plane ticket home, if you can't drive. Keep your mouth shut when booking the flight, except for asking for a wheel chair.

joebedford wrote:
Last year, I was in Florida for 4.5 months with no emergency medical insurance. I knew that the thing that was stopping my eligibility was bogus so I wasn't worried health-wise. An accident? That would have been a problem.

Anyway, this year I had a couple of stents installed so even though I'm 12 months stable for last year's bogus condition, the 12 month clock has started again.

I've been checked top to bottom now and I'm healthier than I thought I was last year. I'm willing to chance it again this year but maybe not as long.

I understand about jumping on the first plane to Canada if I get sick or even getting a drive home if I can last two days. I know if I'm suddenly and severely sick, probably neither option will work - my bad luck.

Does anybody take "supplies" in case of emergency. Like, I don't know, maybe oxygen?

Suggestions welcome but don't bother saying "don't go" as that's a strictly personal choice.

[pianotuna]

My tax on 57k was less than 6k. So much for "tax liability".

fitznj wrote:
Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

Really? Take a look at your tax liability.
I came form a country that had "free" health care - believe me
it wasn't free.

[riven1950]

I'm betting that either you or someone else is paying dearly for your free health care.

[Sinterior]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view) the US is a generous country and won't let you die or suffer in pain on the hospital lawn. You will be billed for the services, and the cost will be astronomical. However there are no debtor prisons or medieval torture chambers to encourage you to pay. So if you are OK with taking advantage of the taxpayers in the country you are visiting you are good to go. It is being irresponsible and selfish, but when has that ever stopped anyone from getting what they want.

I agree with you 100% and I'm Canadian. Unless of course, he has the means to pay for any critical care before or after going back to Canada.

[westernrvparkow]

fitznj wrote:
Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

Really? Take a look at your tax liability.
I came form a country that had "free" health care - believe me
it wasn't free.

The most famous quote is: "If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it is free"..P.J. O'Rourke

When I said the US was "a generous country" I was referring to the fact that there are no requirements to prove financial responsibility to enter the country and that the law requires emergency care to be provided reqardless of the ability to pay. So if the OP actually has an emergency and has no insurance or money, he will be treated and stabilized thanks to the generosity of the US taxpayer.

[fitznj]

Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

Really? Take a look at your tax liability.
I came form a country that had "free" health care - believe me
it wasn't free.

[Old-Biscuit]

joebedford wrote:
Generous? Hahahaha. Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

But that's not the debate - what can I take with me to mitigate possible problems?

What can you take with you......

Hummmmmmm
Have you had that conversation with YOUR DOCTOR?

Aspirin to wheelchair ---- depends on what 'if' you are trying to plan for.
Internet folks haven't a clue as to YOUR needs.
Your DOCTOR should have a pretty good idea.

[MDKMDK]

Shop around. There are lots of travel EMI providers in Canada. Most banks do it, CAA, Manulife, Blue Cross/Shield, SunLife, etc.

Can you use one of the online provider locators like Kanetix or InsuranceHotline to locate a company that will cover you?

"Stents" - heart/circulatory/neural drainage? Without knowing your specific issue, it's a pre-existing issue. I'm surprised there aren't some providers that will cover everything else, except the "pre-existing" condition. Not sure if that really helps you, but it might cover off the unplanned auto accident situation.
EDIT: OK, heart condition. Missed you prior post.

We traveled without for the first few years and then realized how dumb that was, and we now have coverage thru the bank. TD and RBC do it, not sure about the rest, but it's so lucrative, I would imagine they all do direct coverage, or through a subsidiary underwriter.

Good luck with it.

[joebedford]

Generous? Hahahaha. Remember, I'm Canadian. The total out-of-pocket cost of my heart treatments was nil, nada, nothing.

But that's not the debate - what can I take with me to mitigate possible problems?

[westernrvparkow]

Fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view) the US is a generous country and won't let you die or suffer in pain on the hospital lawn. You will be billed for the services, and the cost will be astronomical. However there are no debtor prisons or medieval torture chambers to encourage you to pay. So if you are OK with taking advantage of the taxpayers in the country you are visiting you are good to go. It is being irresponsible and selfish, but when has that ever stopped anyone from getting what they want.

[joebedford]

rk911 wrote:
according to whom?

My regular provider has an eligibility questionnaire and I am not eligible. I've seen the same sort of questions from other providers.

[rk911]

joebedford wrote:
What would be the right kind of travel insurance? I already stated that I'm not eligible for the regular kind of emergency medical insurance.

according to who? good sam and FMCA offer what i think you’re seeking. not sure if they offer it to non-USA citizens but its worth a call to both. good luck.