Update and medical bills...UGH!

mtnrider · February 2011

Simon's new surgery date is Feb. 28. If we had it done before then it would have to be done in hospital rather than at the surgery center and would cost thousands of dollars more (and more exposure to germs including MRSA in a hospital).

So I got the ER bills from both of Simon's hospital visits in December...exact same reason for the visits (fever) and same outcome except the Canadian ER charged us $200 more than the one here! $741 for their facility fee (and another $140 for the doctor's charge) just for a brief exam, no meds, no labs, they barely touched him! At least the ER here in the U.S. measured the oxygen in his blood and gave him Tylenol, and their bill was only $546! Even though I'm a Canuck, I can honestly say that Canada is ripping off American tourists who have the misfortune of ending up at the ER!

itsmexine · February 2011

This whole health care thing no matter where you are is crazy.

ateytelb · February 2011

I am naturalized Canadian and I agree that they are ripping off Americans. From what I remember, their medical services are not even that great. You have to be on the waiting list for months in order to get a procedure/surgery done if it's not urgent. Did you submit the bill to your health insurance provider here? They are supposed to cover most of it.

racampbell1 · February 2011

itsmexine:
This whole health care thing no matter where you are is crazy.

Completely agree!

rsd12 · February 2011

Sorry you have to start the waiting game all over again - but Simon will be healthier for his surgery which is much more important. I understand medical bills.. I can't believe how much we paid out of our health care account last year with the deductible before insurance would cover. It is painful.

mtnrider · February 2011

rsd12:

Sorry you have to start the waiting game all over again - but Simon will be healthier for his surgery which is much more important. I understand medical bills.. I can't believe how much we paid out of our health care account last year with the deductible before insurance would cover. It is painful.

I can't even imagine how much you've had to pay between all the surgeries and office visits! We have a $7,000.00 deductible so this surgery will max us out this year for sure.