MRI advice - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

pylon · 06-29-2009, 03:22 AM

I used to have faith in Canadian Health Care, but I am seriously starting to doubt the system.

I am having some serious knee problems going back to a motorcycle accident in April and to get my MRI paid for by health care is a 6 month minimum wait. Our free health care system once again proves you get what you pay for. They gave me 3 options.

1) Slice and dice in the next 4 weeks and figure out the extent of the damage when they get in.

2) Walk around for the next 6 months in a zimmer brace waiting for a proper MRI.

3) Walk on it at my own risk and crush whats left of the of my knee until they can get around to looking at it .

Within reason, money is not an object. And the hospital seemed offended at the fact I suggest I go to a private clinic and pay for an MRI out of pocket. Nurse actually suggested "That is whats ruining the system, people jumping the cue and throwing their wallet down, making the waits longer for people that can't afford it. You will have to do your own research on it as I won't facilitate cue jumping." I snapped back "What's wrong with the system is that I waited 14 hours to get my leg evaluated by a doctor, and a doctor that isn't even a qualified orthapaedic surgeon to boot, and it is a system so under equipped, I have to walk around in agony 6 months, or subject myself to surgery I may not even need to get an answer. That's what's wrong with the system". Plus I mentioned that I would be saving "the system" money by footing the bill out of pocket.

Anyway, how much is it, and how long is the typical wait?

Has anyone on here done this?

Thanks in advance.

RougeUnderoos · 06-29-2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pylon

I snapped back "What's wrong with the system is that I waited 14 hours to get my leg evaluated by a doctor, and a doctor that isn't even a qualified obstetrician to boot,

I don't think an obstetrician is your answer.

Anyway, if you can jump the cue, jump it. I don't know how much it costs and I ain't done it, but knowing now what I didn't know at some other time in my life when I didn't know as much as I know now, I'd do it if I could afford it.

pylon · 06-29-2009, 03:55 AM

LOL, thanks for the heads up, if I need an obstetrician I think my knee is the least of my problems. I meant Orthopedic surgeon.

Bagor · 06-29-2009, 04:05 AM

Not being smart.

How serious are these knee problems?

Can't run, Can't walk? Can't kneel? Can't sleep?

Eric Vail · 06-29-2009, 07:39 AM

You can pay for an MRI at a clinic on 1A Street just east of Chinook Centre. I think it costs between $500-$600. You can get it done as early as tomorrow.

Do you have an appointment with an orthopedic yet. These can take 6 months or longer if you have never seen one. Hopefully, you started your waiting back in April and you just have three months to go. You can get excellent health care, but you have to be patient. Depending on how bad your knee is, you may just want to go for the scope. It isn't that intrusive. I have had about a half dozen scopes done on my left knee.

As Bagor asked, what is the problem? Does it lock up on you? Is it swelling? You may want to get it assessed by a physiotherapist. Outside of an orthopedic, they do about the best job. We haven't had MRI's for that long, and a good physio can do a pretty good job assessing the injury.

ken0042 · 06-29-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pylon

Nurse actually suggested "That is whats ruining the system, people jumping the cue and throwing their wallet down, making the waits longer for people that can't afford it.

That's actually funny. I just cannot see how fewer people using the public resources makes the wait longer. It's not like the queue jumpers get it done at Foothills or anything.

When I had my MRI it was a 7 month wait. But the last time I looked a private MRI was just over $1000- so maybe check out the place Eric suggested; it might have gone down.

VladtheImpaler · 06-29-2009, 08:52 AM

Given the business I am in, we often pay for our clients to have an MRI if the case warrants it. You can get one done tomorrow for $700. The names of some clinics are... going from memory... Western Canadian Diagnostic and Canadian Diagnostic Centres. That could be off, but just google, "mri clinic calgary".

habernac · 06-29-2009, 09:52 AM

tell the nurse to stuff it. Go to the private MRI clinic, totally worth your while. Knee problems suck, the quicker you can get a proper diagnosis, the quicker you can start getting better.

Clever_Iggy · 06-29-2009, 11:14 AM

After living in the US for awhile now, I must say that I'm very much a fan of it over the Canadian system... obviously because I can afford to access it. Neither system is perfect, but for those that "have," the US cannot be beat.

A friend injured his elbow and couldn't bend/extend it normally. Saw a specialist without referral the day after injuring it and was having an MRI two days after that. The wait time in Canada is just shameful.

onetwo_threefour · 06-29-2009, 11:39 AM

The MRI clinic referred to above is at the other end of the building from my office. The addy is #1, 6020 1A Street SW. They do all sorts of imaging, some of it is even publically funded. My wife had her ultrasound there for our second son, and I know a few people who've had MRI's there. They're a pretty good outfit.

Oh yeah, and it's 'queue' not 'cue'. I know one person before me (ken) has it right, but I see that all the time.