About Canada's Free Universal Health Care

The Canadian health care system has been a popular discussion point in the media. People, even those who are not from the country, all seem to have an opinion on whether the system is a good one. Some of those opinions are based on inaccurate information. With accurate data, people can make a decision about whether the Canadian health system is worthy and logical.

Does Canada Have Socialized Medicine?

• Socialized medicine involves a system of health care in which doctors and medical facilities are owned and operated by the federal government. This is not the case in Canada, despite reports to the contrary. In Canada, doctors operate independently from the government. They receive payments from the government. This is known as single-payer health care.

Does the Canadian System Cause High Taxes?

• One common misconception about the Canadian health system is that it operates the same way through all of the country's provinces and territories. This is not true. Each province has different policies about how the costs of health care are covered. Some provinces require people to pay premiums. Other provinces use tax money to fund their systems. Therefore, the tax rates vary for each province.

Do Canadians Have to Wait for Medical Services?

• Because some of the more advanced medical equipment is not readily available in Canada, some patients do have to wait for services, such as an MRI. Surgeries sometimes require waiting periods, too, because facilities and surgeons must be used by patients who need them urgently. Wait times vary by province. However, the average Canadian does not have to wait to see a general practitioner.

Are Doctors Selected for You in Canada?

• A common criticism of the Canadian system is that patients do not get to select their doctors. This isn't the case. Each Canadian under the health care system can select any doctor who is available in his province. In fact, Canadians tend to have more options than consumers in managed-care plans, who are often limited to doctors in their insurance plan's network.

Is Canadian Health Care Comprehensive?

• Under the health care system in Canada, not all services are covered. Prescriptions are usually not covered. However, supplemental private policies are available. The cost of these policies is normally paid by employers or through group plans, keeping prices reasonable. The supplemental policy costs about $75 per person per month if purchased individually. The price can drop by half or more if you have a group policy.