Common Misconceptions About HealthCare in Canada
Canadian medicine is an area that causes resentment among local residents and, at the same time, is the pride of the state. That’s the paradox that deserves a closer look to understand its nature.
In fact, Canadians do have a healthcare system to be proud of. Medical care, contrary to popular belief, is not absolutely free and totally accessible. However, due to the established system of free public insurance the residents of the country do not pay for medical services. All expenses (according to various estimations up to 70%) is covered by the State. Thus, there was the infamous fallacy of free medicine in Canada was born. 
First of all, free medical care in Canada is not available to anyone, but only to citizens and immigrants in some provinces (plus partially to those who work under contract). Tourists and guests of the country will have to pay the full price in case of any professional assistance if they do not take care of their own insurances. By the way, this also applies to refugees who have free medical care, so it can be obtained only in case of emergency.
So that you do not have problems with medical care, you should first find out all the details and nuances of the local health system. Incidentally, the terms and conditions of health insurance and services in each province may be different, and what applies to Ontario may not work in Quebec. Firstly, a person should take care of getting a Health Card: in some provinces, you can provide the necessary documents for its issuance after a certain time of residence in the area, in Quebec private health insurance card is obtained immediately upon arrival, but enters into force only on the expiration of 3 months. This card, as well as passport and driving license, works as identity card is, so lots of people carry it with them permanently.
With this insurance, most residents do not pay for doctor visits, specialist consultations, diagnostics, analyzes, any costs of hospitalization, surgery, and everything related to pregnancy and childbirth. However, the insurance doesn’t cover dental services, most services of ophthalmologists and physiotherapists; not to mention cosmeticians and plastic surgeons. Neither it enables you to have free drugs in the pharmacy. Calling an ambulance, you will have to cover its route from the hospital to your home.
The problems are partially leveled by such companies and projects as Canadian Health&Care Mall Generic Medications Online, a far-famed HealthCare Medications / Store with a huge variety of affordable medications and Opencare, allowing you to find a doctor remotely and even book a visit with almost no drudgery on your end.
Family healthcare
Another feature of the local health care system is that the system itself is based on family doctors. Without their advice you will hardly be able to make much progress: family physician is the first doctor examines a patient for diagnostic checks, prescribes the medicines and initiates further diagnostics with other specialists if needed (yes, family doctor is the only person that can give you a referral to other specialists).
Perhaps, the biggest problem about it is the deficiency of specialists, and despite the positive tendency, there is a huge shortage of family physicians. Many therapists practicing generalists do not work with patients because their lists are already formed and they are overbooked. Therefore, finding a decent family doctor is a huge mission. For many Canadians – it remains a dream. Although it poses certain problems, on the one hand, the benefits are also there – there is only one doctor to be contacted, so you don’t have to waste long hours in queues; as the doctors are not tied financially with the situation, you will get your referral to a specialist if there is a real need in it.
