A Patient’s Diary – Cost Of Chest Pain Symptom In San Francisco(US$12,943) Vs. Victoria(CDN$890) (Deepak Sarkar, 1/12/2006)

This is a true story which will emphasize where some Canadian Politicians might eventually take us succumbing to the will of American Insurance Companies. Similar tests were performed in both incidents! The US insurance didn’t pay for the Canadian incidence except initial doctor’s fee of US $56.00.

San Francisco experience, May 1996:

I had a chest pain, in 1996, just after lunch when working for the Pacific Bell/SBC, San Ramon, California. The doctor kept me for overnight observation at the San Ramon Valley Medical Center! My SBC insurance card was charged about US $12,943 for tests and a bed for one night.

Although I paid only for the deductibles and the medicines, the hospital and pertinent contracting companies billed US $12,943 to my insurance company for few EKGs, blood tests, a bed for a night and the trade mill test the following morning!

Victoria, BC, Experience, December 2000:

I again had a chest pain in Victoria, BC, during our move from San Francisco. We were temporarily staying in the Motel Admiral and didn’t have any Canadian medical insurance. We were still carrying the US, Kaiser Permanente, HMO medical insurance.

The doctor in Victoria didn’t care about my insurance status and treated me with urgency. He called the Jubilee Hospital emphasizing immediate attention once I arrive there. They only informed me that there is a CDN

$250 charge for the bed before taking me in and similar tests including latest protein analysis, ensuring no clogged or damaged artery, were performed.

The Capital Region Health sent me a bill for CDN $750 and CDN $140 for the separate trade mill test. Later they corrected the figure to CDN $450 since I was a returning Canadian.

US $12,943 – CDN $890 = Profit + (Duplicate Admin. + Advertisement) cost.

(Author: Deepak Sarkar, 844 Royal Oak Avel, Victoria, BC, V8X 3T2; Tel/Fax:250-412-2897)