Random question regarding insurance in North America..

[theducks]

So, random question.

In the US, a simple visit to the emergency room can cost thousands. This is fine for Americans who have health insurance.

How do Canadians deal with this when they cross the border for short shopping trips? Do you assume you'll be ok and be able to make it to a Canadian hospital if something happens? or what?

Comments

[loic.livejournal.com]

I've had simple emergency room visits cost me thousands *with* insurance because the ambulance took me to the closest hospital, not the one that I was covered at.

[mpfl.livejournal.com]

You never see shit like that on Grey's Anatomy!

[erikarn.livejournal.com]

Christ, I wonder what would happen if _I_ was in trouble and my travel insurance didn't cover me there.

Gah, best I go and look all that stuff up again and have it on hand.. thanks!

[theducks.livejournal.com]

I think you'll find that you'll be fine, assuming your policy is correctly endorsed for the sorts of activities you will be undertaking

[matt (from livejournal.com)]

Flee the country?

[loic.livejournal.com]

WE HAVE THE BEST HEALTHCARE IN THE WORLD

LA LA LA LA LA

I CANT HEAR YOU

LA LA LA LA

it's a fucking shambles.

[fee.livejournal.com]

my insurance from work, will take me back to the nearest canadian hopsital if i'm injured out of the country. the closest i've been to being injured was a killer migraine. popped ibuprofen, which is insanely cheaper in the US then canada, and was fine.

then again, i go to port huron, which is across the river from sarnia.

[benmurrihy.livejournal.com]

According to Sicko (Michael Moore's documentary) which I watched idly once, Moore's Canadian grandparents (I think they were his grandparents) always get travel insurance from their local department store before visiting the U.S., because of this very issue.
Apparently they did it every single time.

I'm not sure of how widespread this is (i.e., could be only old people, only Moore's family, mildly staged for the documentary, etc).

[lonejaguar.livejournal.com]

Some insurance does cover you internationally, but usually you have to purchase travel insurance if you're going out of the country.

From what I remember....

[singularity.livejournal.com]

Like the others said, you need the travel insurance and even then, you often need to call to confirm treatment is okay or if you should immediately go back to Canada for treatment. If it's an emergency, generally you get the treatment covered completely or almost completely from my understanding. But a lot depends on what kind of travel insurance you buy.