Private Medical Care in Calgary - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

amorak · 12-07-2010, 09:54 AM

I've been wondering this as well - Thanks to the government f***ing up the tax rules regarding Health Spending Accounts, it's pretty much impossible for a couple 25-30 to use $5,000 per couple on ... anything.

So I too have thought of signing up for one of these as a way to burn through some of my HSA - I'd be curious as to what people think of these services.

amorak · 12-07-2010, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

$5000, thats awesome. Where the hell do you work? Thats a super high number. Waiting is not such a big deal, until you have kids, then its an absolute fataing nightmare. Go to the Childrens Hospital and you come out with ebola.

sorry, $3,000 for the primary and $2,000 for wife/each kid - I meant $5,000 for the two of us, just couldnt remember the breakdown.

I work for whitetextrooflecopters

I am going to follow this thread for sure - I don't want ebola!

Bend it like Bourgeois · 12-07-2010, 10:28 AM

Our family doc is moving to one of these place in January and we're following. My wife likes the doc but more importantly she said it would be easy to get an appointment, often same day. My wife was sold.

I'm not sure the cost or how well it works, but will know soon enough. With 2 rugrats at home we are not long between doctors visits.

burn_this_city · 12-07-2010, 10:29 AM

Whats the tax ruling on HSAs? I have a $4000 one and I havent paid a nickle of tax on it.

TorqueDog · 12-07-2010, 10:29 AM

I'm interested in this as well.

amorak · 12-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Whats the tax ruling on HSAs? I have a $4000 one and I havent paid a nickle of tax on it.

It can only be use dfor medial stuff - no more purely cosmetic stuff.

AKA no more teeth whitening, lipo, etc, etc... Basically the teeth whitening and other cosmetics is why I would use it, as my plan pays 100% of everything.

The the only things my health insurance won't cover are non-medical stuff, which this plan now won't cover... Stupid catch 22.

Jordan! · 12-07-2010, 12:02 PM

Yeah, my deductible is $3000 which isn't too bad.

Ice_Weasel · 12-07-2010, 12:03 PM

sent you a pm Fotze

JDub81 · 12-07-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amorak

It can only be use dfor medial stuff - no more purely cosmetic stuff.

AKA no more teeth whitening, lipo, etc, etc... Basically the teeth whitening and other cosmetics is why I would use it, as my plan pays 100% of everything.

The the only things my health insurance won't cover are non-medical stuff, which this plan now won't cover... Stupid catch 22.

Not sure if they will listen at all, but you might want to suggest to your employer to change to a Wellness Account - instead of a health spending account. What qualifies for health spending is regulated by government. Wellness account allows for gym memberships, purchase of fitness equipment, even rec hockey fees, etc. Just a thought - sounds like a good employer, so they might listen!

amorak · 12-07-2010, 01:18 PM

Many companies seem to prefer an HSA due to the tax write offs available versus the non deductible wellness account.

JDub81 · 12-07-2010, 01:49 PM

Ah - gotcha - fair enough.

Bill Bumface · 12-07-2010, 04:10 PM

My old doctor does this now. He was an awesome doctor, so it sucks for me because I go in maybe once every 2 years these days, but my parents ponied up the $3K or whatever and I think it's working well for them so far. His name is Dr. Kreutzer, awesome young South African guy. No clue what his clinic is, Pro Vital or something like that?

J epworth · 12-07-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Kind of getting sick of the sh4tshow medical system. A 10 second diagnosis requiring a 4 hour wait.

I have seen these clinics on 17th like Preventous or the Copeman clinic. The websites seem vague. Can you pay a fee and get to see a doctor in a timely fashion? Fees look like $3000 per year. Which if you get to get really good service would be worth it.

Anyone go to any of these clinics? Are they what I think they are?

My parents are Family doctors in the city, I'll ask them about those clinics, see if they are worth it for the price.

Tron_fdc · 12-08-2010, 01:36 AM

So is this like a membership to a clinic for 3k a year? I'm supposed to be on arthritis meds, but I eat anvil like candy to avoid sitting in waiting rooms to get the proper drugs. I'd for sure pony up 3 g's to avoid that lineup nonsense.

Pm me what you find out fotze, especially if it's in Marda loop.

Mad Mel · 12-08-2010, 01:47 AM

The existence of this thread is a pretty condemning indictment of the health care system. It's one thing for the wealthiest few percent of the population to seek private care, but when regular folks are seriously thinking about dropping significant coin on top of the system that they're already paying for and that's supposed to be good enough, that ain't good. I'm assuming that most of you fall into 'regular folks', except fotze who is obviously irregular.

Ice_Weasel · 12-08-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

The existence of this thread is a pretty condemning indictment of the health care system. It's one thing for the wealthiest few percent of the population to seek private care, but when regular folks are seriously thinking about dropping significant coin on top of the system that they're already paying for and that's supposed to be good enough, that ain't good. I'm assuming that most of you fall into 'regular folks', except fotze who is obviously irregular.

I don't see much difference between this and private schools...we all pay taxes and our kids can go to school for free, but for more $$ your kids can have smaller classes and motivated teachers. Where is the equality uproar with respect to education?

To me, it boils down to priorities, and if health is a high priority for you $3 k per year is not really that much, even for 'regular folks'. Hell, i bet there are people that spend 3k per year on smokes and booze. Think of it this way, you get basic care for free, with an option for better care if you want to pay. Basic health care is, and should always be free for everyone. I have no problem with those viewing health as a priority and willing to pay, potentially at the sacrifice of other luxury goods, to receive a little better care.

amorak · 12-08-2010, 09:40 AM

I think the people considering this are in the above-average tax brackets, based on what little I know of some of the guys who've posted in this thread. The private school analogy is very apt.

I don't think this is a condemnation of our private system, but some people seeing their time as worth $3K a year to be able to see a physician at their leisure.

JustAnotherGuy · 12-08-2010, 10:11 AM

First off. I am thankfull that I have access to proper medical care. It is my impression that people in other countries do not have such good medical care as we do.

Yes, we can rant and rave about the how long it takes, about some of the mistakes that have happened but if we have an emergency it will be taken care of.

If my family needs to see a doctor now we have two options. Book an appointment with our family doctor or go to a local clinic.

On occasion we wait at the family doctor for 20 minutes or so because he has fallen behind schedule. But I don't mind because he doesn't rush us.

The local drop in clinic usually has a 3-4 hour wait. But you get an estimate of how long and come back.

Seems like a minor inconvenience to me.

SeeBass · 12-08-2010, 10:49 AM

If I have to wait to see my doctor or keep making extra trips for prescriptions I consider it a waste of my time.

The extra cost of private care makes up for the loss in productivity that I lose. I also have no issue going abroad for MRI's and other work as I have in the past.

I am just one less guy in the public line but I am happy to still pay so that others are taken care of.

Ironhorse · 12-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ice_Weasel

I don't see much difference between this and private schools...we all pay taxes and our kids can go to school for free, but for more $$ your kids can have smaller classes and motivated teachers. Where is the equality uproar with respect to education?

To me, it boils down to priorities, and if health is a high priority for you $3 k per year is not really that much, even for 'regular folks'. Hell, i bet there are people that spend 3k per year on smokes and booze. Think of it this way, you get basic care for free, with an option for better care if you want to pay. Basic health care is, and should always be free for everyone. I have no problem with those viewing health as a priority and willing to pay, potentially at the sacrifice of other luxury goods, to receive a little better care.

But does this not technically contravene the Canada Health Act?