Where is Health Insurance on your List?

20% of Canadians don’t have any type of health insurance, be it group insurance, personal insurance or even personal savings put aside in the event of a health crisis. Many Canadian families feel overextended financially taking into account the general cost of living.

Between managing child care costs, mortgage and vehicle payments, utilities, investing in a retirement fund, as well as other common expenses, the idea of planning for potential future health care costs might be at the bottom of the list for many busy families.

The scary truth is that a serious health issue such as a heart attack, stroke, cancer, or other serious illness/accident can result in very high medical bills. Having health insurance coverage can help to absorb the costs. 

Health insurance can be customized to meet your needs. There are plans specifically designed for families with children, individuals, students, and seniors. It’s a matter of doing your homework and obtaining a plan that suits your particular needs and budget.

Canadians need to put health insurance higher on the list!

For more information about customized plans for CAA members, go to  CAAhealth.ca.

Waiting in Line for Medical Treatment

When I read an article online about the 64-year old Alberta man who has to live with a hole in his face for the next two-and-a-half years because of hospital wait times in his province, I was horrified as I’m sure many others were also. After having received chemotherapy for sinus cancer, this cancer survivor developed a hole between his right eye and nose. He has since been scheduled for about five surgeries to fix the gap in his face, but surgeries were cancelled due to more urgent cases. Alberta Health Services considers this procedure reconstructive or plastic surgery because it’s not a life threatening condition. Consequently, the patient must remain in this unfavourable condition for an indefinite period of time and has become increasingly frustrated.

Read the full article

While this is an extreme example, it does bring up the subject of public vs private health insurance. Private, or extended health insurance, can make a difference in your life as it allows you more options for treatment depending on the medical condition. 

How many times have you been in the doctor’s office and noticed that before he puts his pen to the prescription pad he asks the question: do you have private health insurance? His recommendations for care will often be based on whether or not you have any private coverage.

For questions about health insurance coverage visit CAAHealth & Dental Insurance.