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Location: Des Moines IA | I've heard that most of our Health Insurance is worthless in Canada, so much so, that I would probably need cash to have any kind of ER services performed. Anybody else ever hear of this? Anyone know of a policy that will cover international travel? |
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Posts: 7076
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Psycho. |
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Posts: 2894
Location: Yahara River Chain | I had an ear infection once at the beginning off a trip. Cost me $20 to see a doctor for medication. i got reimbursed by my health care provider for the docotr visit and tthe medication. This happened about 15 yrs ago.
I knew a guy that got a hook in him. He was able to see a doctor using his credit card to get medical attention. |
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Posts: 619
| you will want to verify with your current provider to see if you are covered while traveling in Canada. some plans will not cover you outside the U.S. If they do cover you most likely the benefits are reduced compared to your benefits here ie deductible doubles, out of network, etc. do an internet search for international travel coverage and you will find options and can call get a plan no problem.
Edited by Slow Rollin 7/15/2010 6:57 PM
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Posts: 422
| Had a cousin about 8 years ago have some sort of rash in his nether regions and he saw the town nurse for $20 and got some creme for it. Cleared it up.
Edited by 4reukmuskies 7/15/2010 9:46 PM
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| I have a friend who just returned early from a trip to Ontario. His wife slipped on a rock while climbing into their boat after having shore lunch. She broke her leg under the knee, and then had a compound fracture above the ankle - bone sticking out and everything. He splinted up her leg and then got her into the boat. 5 mile boat ride to the truck. Then 20+ mile ride out to the main highway on logging roads. They ran into some forestry workers who had a cell phone with service, who then called an ambulance. Ambulance took her to nearby small hospital, who then air lifted her to Toronto. This couple had Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. She's a nurse and he works for the MPCA. Docs had to do surgery but wanted cash up front before they would do it. Hospital wanted cash for her stay before they left too. Anesthesiologist wanted his money up front before he put her down before surgery. He had to come up with over 3K in cash before he left, and has not even seen all the charges yet from the ambulance and helicopter, etc. He has to bill his own insurance company too, and has no idea yet how that will go. They wound up missing 5 of the 7 days they had slated for a fishing vacation, and of course, took a really crazy side adventure that wound up being sort of nightmarish and expensive. Don't know if you can really prepare for something like this? |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | I had to get stitched up once about 8-9 years ago in Dryden, insurance covered just about all of it...not much different then it woulda been here |
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Posts: 203
Location: Germantown, WI | Over the course of 28 years of fishing in the Kawarthas we have visited the ER in Peterborough, Ontario twice. Both times for hook removals. I recall the cost was pretty low compared to what we would have been charged in the US (something under $100). Not sure if either was ever submitted to insurance for reimbursement since one was my Dad and the other was my brother.
I think it's correct that the specific policies about coverage outside the US will depend on your insurance provider and your specific plan. It's not a bad idea to check out your plan's policy in advance. |
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Posts: 897
| Sounds like a good reason to take a first aid class, eh? |
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Posts: 38
| Check out MedJet they offer international coverage, and if you are critical they will send a staffed jet to fly you home (had a buddy use this service a few years back when he broke his back during a central american motorcycle trip). I think coverage is about $300 per year depending on options.
Also on a Canadian moose hunt I had a buddy take an arrow through the leg, after an ambulance ride and some stitches it was $375CAN. Health care is cheap up that way! I would not hesitate to visit Canada without supplemental coverage. They are going to save your life if needed and its no doubt much cheaper than similar services here state side. |
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Posts: 157
| promod1385 - 7/16/2010 11:01 AM
Also on a Canadian moose hunt I had a buddy take an arrow through the leg, after an ambulance ride and some stitches it was $375CAN.
THROUGH THE LEG!?!?!?!?!? ONLY A COUPLE OF STITCHES?!?!?!?!?! He must be one tough SOB! |
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Posts: 38
| stcroixmusky - 7/16/2010 11:24 AM
promod1385 - 7/16/2010 11:01 AM
Also on a Canadian moose hunt I had a buddy take an arrow through the leg, after an ambulance ride and some stitches it was $375CAN.
THROUGH THE LEG!?!?!?!?!? ONLY A COUPLE OF STITCHES?!?!?!?!?! He must be one tough SOB!
Hunter "A" fell crossing a downed tree, dropping an arrow from his quiver in the process. Hunter "B" stepped over the downed tree and got an arrow through the calf.
His guide trimmed the arrow and bandaged the wound, headed for the truck and made a cell phone call, they managed to have an ambulance meet them on the nearest logging road some 2 miles away. He hiked most of the way with little assistance. One tough old bird! |
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Posts: 157
| Wow, I thought for sure that he grazed his leg and that laid him open rather than going "through" the calf. |
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Posts: 897
| You want a story about a tough guy? On a month long canoe trip I took in high school, just east of Lake Winnipeg on the Bloodvein River system, the guide took a wrong step and ended up impaling himself in the calf with a 2-3" long by 1/2" diameter piece of wood. After a day of dealing with the pain, we got out the first aid kit and the guide injected himself with novacaine, then proceeded to take the scalpel to himself, cut the piece of wood out of his leg, clean the wound himself, then stitch himself up. We helped him around that day a bit, but the next day it was like nothing happened and he never said another word about it for the next two weeks. Myself, well I ran off into the woods and puked when I saw him cut himself open. That was the day I decided I couldn't be a doctor. |
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