Comments on: The deterioration of "free" care in Canada http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/07/deterioration-of-free-care-in-canada.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/07/deterioration-of-free-care-in-canada.html#comment-78467 Anonymous Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:21:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/07/the-deterioration-of-free-care-in-canada.html#comment-78467 My take on the system, from what I've read, it's kinda like our situation with Medicare. You're 100% in, or 100% out. The "opted-out" status we have here with Medicare, where you have to sign certain forms, you're out for two years, you have to have patients sign certain disclaimers, etc.<br/><br/>I recognize that some feel the "opted-out" status is contrary to the original Medicare legislation from 1965, that we should be able to see some Medicare recipients in the system, others privately, etc. I don't want to be the test case for that........<br/><br/>Anyway, it's kinda like that in Canada. You're 100% in their system, or 100% out. Hence, there are private free-standing clinics in Canada. As long as they're 100% out of their system, they'll be a relatively small number.<br/><br/>It all changes if patients are allowed to apply a Medicare payment toward a private bill, or if docs are allowed to keep Medicare hours and private hours, as in the UK.<br/><br/>We need a USA/American Chaoulli. My take on the system, from what I’ve read, it’s kinda like our situation with Medicare. You’re 100% in, or 100% out. The “opted-out” status we have here with Medicare, where you have to sign certain forms, you’re out for two years, you have to have patients sign certain disclaimers, etc.

I recognize that some feel the “opted-out” status is contrary to the original Medicare legislation from 1965, that we should be able to see some Medicare recipients in the system, others privately, etc. I don’t want to be the test case for that……..

Anyway, it’s kinda like that in Canada. You’re 100% in their system, or 100% out. Hence, there are private free-standing clinics in Canada. As long as they’re 100% out of their system, they’ll be a relatively small number.

It all changes if patients are allowed to apply a Medicare payment toward a private bill, or if docs are allowed to keep Medicare hours and private hours, as in the UK.

We need a USA/American Chaoulli.

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