Health Coverage

Once you find out that you are pregnant the nerves start up instantly. Especially if you do not have health coverage. This is the point where I beat myself up about being unable to work and provide myself with health benefits. Then I have to remind myself that I wouldn`t get those kinds of benefits from a job here anyway. In Canada the government provides its citizens and permanent residents with a very efficient health system. Your employer supplements with dental and vision coverage. There is no option for health benefits unless you are a citizen or a permanent resident and qualify for the health plan.

I have been in the country for 3.5 years and am still considered neither. We are however seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My application for permanent residency has been stamped for review January 26, 2010. That is only 12 days away. I will get a letter in the mail that will tell me that I have received a first stage approval. I will then be able to take that letter downtown and apply for my OHIP card, the Canadian health care plan. Unfortunately, there is a 90 day waiting period once that card has been issued in order for it to become active. If all goes to schedule it will be the first of May before I will be able to use that health card to receive health coverage. By the first of May I will be over 26 weeks pregnant.

Having experience in the American health care billing field. I understand that the sky is the limit as far as medical expenses. I have had to tell patients their 6 figure balance after unplanned uncovered health problems have occurred.

This being said, I was not prepared for the answer that I received when calling our local clinic here in Belle River. Needless to say, medical receptionists here in Canada are not used to someone asking for the cash price of a service. They simply ask for the patients` health card which they thoughtlessly hand over and all is well. There is no bill to dispute, no coverage to analyze, no pre-authorization necessary. That card is more powerful than Visa.

I asked the receptionist for the cost of a preliminary family doctor visit to confirm pregnancy with a urinalysis and to also receive referrals to specialists. Her answer : $40. Was she missing a zero.. no. Then I inquired about the separate fees for testing. Her answer : No additional fees.

Obviously I am in doubt. This cannot be true. With doubt in our minds Marc and I attend our appointment with a much larger sum of cash at hand for the 3 digits worth of fees she didn`t account for.

Treatment Received :
25 minutes with the Doctor
urinalysis testing for pregnancy
urinalysis testing for sugar
urinalysis testing for protein

Total Cost :
$40

Awe.