How are healthcare services in Canada?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Canada, they replied...

"Healthcare services in Canada are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the federal, provincial, and territorial governments and is available to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It covers a wide range of services, including hospital care, physician services, diagnostic services, and prescription drugs. The quality of public healthcare in Canada is generally considered to be high, with access to a wide range of services and treatments. Foreign residents may also have access to the public healthcare system, depending on their immigration status. Expats in Canada may be eligible for public healthcare coverage if they are permanent residents, have a valid work permit, or are a refugee claimant. In some cases, expats may also be able to purchase private health insurance to supplement their public coverage," said another expat in Canada.

"We're not permanent residents of Canada, but healthcare is available to us here in BC. We're in our early 60s. My husband works full-time and I'm in school full-time. We purchased a Canadian health insurance policy for $75 per month that covers everything medical. Supplemental dental and vision plans are also easily available. The problem here in BC, and all over Canada, is the lack of doctors. We don't have our own and none of the doctors in town are taking new patients. We have to go to the clinic to receive care, which involves arriving early, getting on the list and then coming back at the appointed time. It's a bit of a hassle but the care is available. For emergencies, we would go to the new hospital. Health care in Canada is not what people think it is. There are long wait times for tests, sometimes several months. The system isn't working well for serious health issues and those with private insurance feel that they are entitled to queue jump for faster testing. That's prohibited. As a result, there is a law suit headed to the Supreme Court. The federal government and BC argue that if the privately insured can get faster testing, the wealthy will have an advantage over the rest of Canadians. Those with private insurance argue that denying them faster testing violates their Constitutional right to life and liberty. It's a complicated situation. But for small medical problems like strep throat or a broken bone, the system is manageable. Not great, but same-day service here on Vancouver Island," wrote a member who made the move to Canada.

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