Question for Canadians/Europeans

[monrein]

I have a great family doctor who most often will see me the same day. She also calls me at home and at the hospital and has a good working relationship with my transplant neph, whom she calls if she has concerns about my transplant. I also have yearly visits to my dermatologist, gynaecologist, bone density specialist every two years at this point and breast clinic every two years also. If I'm spiking a fever or other emergency situation I go to the ER of my hospital and that can be a long brutal experience or not depending on volume and triage. I personally don't use our walk in or after hours clinics since I think that my history is too complicated and I avoid ER as much as possible unless told to go by the transplant team. I also have a voice mail system at my hospital through which I can consult with my transplant coordinator who will pass along concerns to my neph. I do blood work every three months at my hospital because I can see them right away through an Internet account and I will call my neph if I have concerns since I actually see them before the team does.

Our system only reimburses $ 210 because that's the cost here within a non profit system. The loan from the Kidney Foundation is more like an advance of money to the patient who can then reimburse it later when our plan (OHIP) reimburses the patient but there is no interest accrued.

The cost for dialysis here for out of country visitors is about $450 . I'm talking about the only clinic in downtown Toronto that caters to foreign visitors.  Our clinics (usually in hospital) and self care centres (not in hospital) don't accept out of country visitors.

[justagirl2325]

Resident of Ontario...my husband had one dialysis session in Las Vegas.  It was $400 US and our provincial medical plan (OHIP) did reimburse us $210.  I then submitted the remainder to my work insurance policy (it has 30 days out the country) to see if they would send us the difference.  I haven't heard anything at this point.

Well, I just got good news, my plan at work covered the rest of the cost 100%.  So it ended up costing us nothing.  This will make travel much more affordable

[iolaire]

The cost for dialysis here for out of country visitors is about $450 . I'm talking about the only clinic in downtown Toronto that caters to foreign visitors.  Our clinics (usually in hospital) and self care centres (not in hospital) don't accept out of country visitors.

Please can you share the name of that center just incase I ever need it?  (A few years ago we went on a hiking trip to Tobermory at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula in the summer and loved it.)

Thanks @monrein for the response

[monrein]

http://www.dialysisservicesinc.ca

Here is the link to their website. I have never used their services but one of the male nurses, a very nice guy, at the self care clinic I was at six years ago worked there and seemed to think it provided good service. I would be curious to hear about anyone who has first hand experienced with them.