Medical Benefits & Issues (Information supplied on this topic is from experience only, and in no way reflects policies, regulations, or laws from either Manitoba or Minnesota.)

General:
In Canada, we hear on the (USA) news horror stories of the costs of health care in the USA - or of people dying because they can not get a certain treatment. This, unfortunately, scares a lot of people away that might have otherwise considered a move to the USA. I will try and explain, in simple terms how the health care system works here. I will also be contacting my brother Chris, who is working in the health field (in Florida!) who can provide me with more information

How Much?:
This is the most frequently asked question sent to me by e-mail. How much is it going to cost? I will give you the politician's answer - this depends. I will relate to you what I am paying through my employer.

In general, the employer will set up a complete health package for all their employees. You are normally eligible to enroll immediately (your first day of work). Just like extended health plans offered in Canada (by Blue Cross, for example) are not created equal, nor are health plans offered in the USA. But because you have lived in Canada, and possibly used one or more extended health plans, you are familiar with what is a good plan, and what is not. I have not lived here long enough to advise what is great, good, and bad.

Upon considering an offer, be sure to find out when you are eligible to enroll in the health plan. If 30 days, ask (as part of negotiating your "deal") if they are willing to activate it immediately - if this is of concern for you.

Back to the cost aspect of this. I pay $134.00 per month to have full coverage for myself and my wife. This plan is called "Employee plus 1". I believe the "Employee Only" plan is around $90.00 per month. The "Family Plan" is around $200.00 per month. Yes, that is a bit of money. It is "PRE-tax" money though. This means that it is 100% claimable when filing your income tax returns. This includes full medical (hospital, ambulance, doctor, emergency care, urgent care, short/long term disability, full dental, full vision care, and full pharmacy. You would pay about $40.00/month in Canada for the dental, vision, and pharmacy aspect anyway, right? So, for about $90.00 per month (or $1080 per year), a single person gets full coverage. Different companies offer different plans. Some (mine does) have a "per-visit" deductible - which means if I visit the doctor, I must pay $15.00 per visit. Some companies have more expensive monthly fees, but you pay nothing per visit. Our plan has caps on the maximum amounts one would ever pay in a year at $500.

If you were to set up your own independent plan outside of your employers plan (not advisable), you would pay about $400.00/month in premiums for one person.

Can I Get "Cut Off"?:
This is the second most asked question. Minnesota has some very strict state laws - different from most other states - prohibiting HMO's from cutting someone from a health plan due to sickness, etc. You will hear once in a while of people who do not have insurance, or who had poor insurance (their choice) who are dying of cancer because their HMO will not honor their claim. Or these people want unconventional special treatments. These are the extremely small cases. There are probably more instances in Canada of people dying due to the lack of proper or immediate health care.

How Good is the Health Services?:
We (myself and Brenda) have not personally used any health services yet. Bernie (my other WEB author) however, has. He was extremely impressed with the level of service provided. One thing to note is when an appointment was made, you didn't have to wait weeks or months. Results of any tests or X-rays are next-day service. Minnesota is also known world-wide for its standard of health-care. It is rated at #1 in the entire United States. Part of that is because the state does contribute significantly to health care. By the year 2003, all residents (that is 100.00%) of Minnesotans will be covered by some sort of health plan, including those who could not afford to buy into a health plan.

In summary, you will receive BETTER health care than when you lived in Canada. Need a CAT or CT scan? They will schedule it for tomorrow, not in four months.

(Update: 6/10/'99):
In October of 1998, I needed emergency health treatment.  I had a severe kidney stone attack.  As we were unprepared for this (who is!), we kind of panicked!  Which hospital can I go to?  Where is the hospital?  Should I go to "Urgent Care"?  We hoped in the car, myself (Neil) in extreme pain.  We called a 1-800 number on the back of my health card - which was answered immediately by the HMO's 24 hours nurse on call (Medica was the HMO in question).  She gave us quick directions to the closest hospital, which was Fairview in Edina - a suburb about 15 minutes from where we live in Eden Prairie.  Into the emergency room entrance I go, and to the registration desk.  I presented my health card, I told them I had kidney stone pain (I have had them before, and remember the exact same pain!).  Within 5 minutes, I was hooked up to an IV with Demurral!  No kidding!   Within 10 minutes, specialists from all over are poking and prodding me.  A urologist on call was located, and I had an appointment to see one the next day.  X-rays revealed some large stones, and an appointment was made for surgery - in 2 days (no, not 2 months!).  After the pain wore off, got my pain killers, and went home. 

As it was, I had another attack the next day, and went back to emergency.  Same story, on demurral within 5 minutes, and this time I was admitted and surgery was pushed up for the next morning.  Now, people HERE complain about service, but out of us having to use both emergency and regular health care services now a few times, it is like NIGHT AND DAY compared to the continual waits, beds in hallways, and shoddy service that one now expects in Canada.  Trust me, you will notice the difference.  Of course, this is my perception of an imperfect system when one has insurance.

Can I Choose my own Doctor?:
Yes, and no. When you sign up with your employer with a health provider (for example mine is "Medica"), you will receive a thick phone-book like Authorized Provider Listing. In this guide, there will be hundreds of doctors, hospitals, dentists, etc that are covered by your health provider. In many cases, "XYZ clinic" will be authorized by 10 different health providers. Within that listing, you may choose your doctor, dentist, etc. All emergency hospitals and urgent care centers will accept all health plans. In other words, if you need medical help urgently, you do not have to drive around in a panic looking for that hospital which covers you.

What if you want to see a doctor who is not on the list? Most plans have a provision allowing to see a doctor (or clinic, etc) of your choice that is not in this guide. Instead of having 100% paid coverage (or paying the standard $15 per visit deductible), you might only have 75% of such services covered. Again, each plan is different.

What about my Manitoba Medical?:
Your Manitoba Medical basic coverage continues for 30 days from when you leave Manitoba and become a USA resident. Understand that this covers only your basic medical, and if you become sick during that period, you may be subject to pay for some services. I would advise, if you feel uncomfortable with this, or if your USA employers plan does not start until 30 days after your start date to buy something in Canada BEFORE you leave (such as Blue Cross). Be sure to contact Manitoba Medical advising them you have left Manitoba in writing.

Please feel free to contact