Health Care, continued

You may be wondering, where are you?

Well, I, your Canadian investigative reporter, was investigating socialized medicine for you all back in the states. You may call it Obama-care, derisively or with appreciation, but here, I'm calling it heaven.

Last Friday, I was getting worried as E began spiking a fever around 102 degrees F.  We don't typically run fevers.  My neighbor who knows everything and everyone was out, and so I called another neighbor, who gave me a list of walk-in clinics in the area. I don't have the full picture of Canadian health care yet, but from what I can understand, you have your family doctor, who you see for normal sick visits and well visits.  When you go, you give them your Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card, and that is it. No co-pays. No forms. No claim sheets in the mail later. Really. You give them your green and white card, and they scan it and give it back to you, and then you see the doctor.

Ah, health care bliss. No forms.  (I am really, really bad at paperwork.)

However, if you can't get into your family doctor, or it is late at night, or it is a more urgent need, there are a series of walk-in clinics you can go to. Some may be newer doctors that need more patients, or some may be to fill a need in the community (my neighbor, for example, said one had an x-ray, another was supposed to be good at stitches, etc.). The one I went to has a variety of specialties, takes up a two-story building, and also has a pharmacy in the building. Most of them also have a pharmacy as well. I am sure there is an economic reason for that, but I prefer to think that it is for my convenience.

On Sunday morning, and again on Tuesday night at 8 p.m., I took my kids to the doctor. It took me about 20 minutes or less to see the doctor each time. Each time I was pleased with the evaluation my children received, and we were able to get them medication for their ear infections at the attached pharmacy within an extra 10 minutes. This means, on Tuesday, I was able to get out to the clinic (a 15 minute drive), and home again, with medication, in about an hour.  An hour. On a Tuesday night.  I couldn't even get a call back from my pediatrician in an hour in the states.  Sometimes it even took me that long to make an appointment.

The cost? Under $100 cash, all in, including medicine.  Since we still have private insurance, because OHIP does not kick in for anyone until you have been in the province for 90 days, we will submit the receipts. I am sure that some paperwork and back and forth with the insurance company will ensue, because that is what insurance companies do.

Out of the three doctors the insurance company sent us to? 1 is dead.

Delicious Canada

Our neighbors own Hot Oven Bakery, which is so very, very delicious.  We get all of our bread there.  I just had a Nanaimo bar today. I have to figure out how to make it, and I am planning on trying this recipe. If you try them at home, leave me a comment or email me and let me know what you think.  They are pure deliciousness.  I think airlines should serve them on every incoming flight.  I can't believe it took me this long to find this Canadian treat. How many other things are they hiding? 

Updates

• Canada Day is July 1.  The confederation was not formed until 1867, making it a very new country. Surprising, eh?
• Nighttime shenanigans are calming down, but keep your fingers crossed that it continues.
• H is doing well, thanks for your enquiries.  :)