Help - OHIP Question

[El_Mariachi]

My dad and my grandfather planned a trip to the the States to drop off my aunt to the Buffalo Airport. I just got a call from my dad saying my grandfather suffered a terrible stroke which has left him paralyzed entirely from the left side of his body, and he was rushed to a a hospital in Buffalo. He is under observation, and a bloodclot has developed from the stroke in his brain. They are planning on keeping him in the States for alteast a week.

I am planning on leaving soon to see how he's doing. The hospital in the States said that they will bill us for my grandfathers medical expenses. I'm not sure how big the bill is going to be but I wanted to know if OHIP will cover this bill. Also, how do I move my grandfather from Buffalo to perhaps the hospital in Hamilton? The doctors in Buffalo have said that an ambulance will be required.

Thanks.

 

[El_Mariachi]

No he did not. They just drove down there.

 

[baddonkey]

lets hope they bought blue cross or some other medical insurance 'cause the bills are gonna make you choke! Not trying to worry you or anything but yikes!

 

[hunter001]

Get him back to Canada a.s.a.p.

 

[Francesca22]

No he did not. They just drove down there.

Get him to Canada as soon as possible.
​

 

[papasmerf]

Sorry to hear about your grandfathers stroke.

Rest assured he is in good hand here in Buffalo.

 

[yaya17]

don't be surprised if the bill that is sent is more than $200K

I think you might 20k.

Botton line is get him back asap. If it means putting him in the car and racing to the closest hospital in Niagara of Ft. Erie it should be done.

 

[Tower]

I think you might 20k.

Botton line is get him back asap. If it means putting him in the car and racing to the closest hospital in Niagara of Ft. Erie it should be done.

I really hate to move someone with a serious injury like a stroke, but I'm afraid that's exactly what's going to have to be done.

Talk to your own doctor, or your grandfather's doctor about possibilities. Even if you have to pay extra for a private ambulance to bring him over the border, I recommend it. (Make sure you check with customs and immigration first)

 

[Kyra.Graves]

Sorry to hear about your Grandfather.

You might want to check and see what credit cards he has, some offer health coverage for travel. The conditions vary per card, some it's all inclusive, some will require the trip was booked with the card, etc. It's worth a shot as the expenses are going to be very high.

If he is stable enough to travel then ask the hospital he is at about the costs of an ambulatory transfer service. Hamilton is probably convenient for your family but realistically you just need him to get across the border in order to have coverage and depending on his condition less time travelling might be most important.

Good luck, I hope it all works out.

 

[crystalpalace]

OHIP will cover only about $50 / Day at the very most!

The bill will be in the 10-20Ks easily so do some serious planning. PM me if you need more advice.

 

[K Douglas]

OHIP will cover a portion of the medical costs

$400 per day for hospital room
$50 per day for health facility services
The actual cost of the doctor fees or what an Ontario doctor would charge for similiar service, whichever is less (most likely the Ontario doctor charges)

The remainder is up to the patient to pay out of pocket. Lets hope your grandfather has some savings. But that's irrelevant lets hope he gets better first. No decision that could risk his health further should be made because of financial concerns.

 

[alan9080]

Unfortunately there are limits to the out of province
medical coverage provided by government health plans.

Also, some provincial plans require that you pay your own travel
medical bills first, then wait weeks to be partially reimbursed.

Thats why I always insure myself with http://www.tdcanadatrust.com/tdinsurance/

Here is a link for questions on OHIP
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/ohip/ohipfaq_mn.html

 

[El_Mariachi]

No disrespect intended towards the OP.

I think you meant to say that fortunately there are limits to out of country medical coverage payed by OHIP.

If someone chooses to travel (without insurance) outside the country whether it is for a few hours or a few months, I don't feel that the rest of us taxpayers should be on the hook for their medical expenses.

Wow great thanks for making that point.

 

[El_Mariachi]

Everyone else, thanks for your help!

 

[DistantVoyeur]

Moving a stroke patient with an active clot is not a good idea....

A real catch 22, but family is worth more than all the money in the world.

Best of luck and hope your grandfather gets through with minimal effects.

 

[The Fruity Hare]

No disrespect intended towards the OP.

I think you meant to say that fortunately there are limits to out of country medical coverage payed by OHIP.

If someone chooses to travel (without insurance) outside the country whether it is for a few hours or a few months, I don`t feel that the rest of us taxpayers should be on the hook for their medical expenses.

Unfortunately, there are no limits for people who do this to themselves:

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=198601

 

[brocko]

What ever the amount is and it will be huge, you can negotiate likely down to fifty cents on the dollar. When someone from Canada with out of country health insurance incurs expenses in the U.S. their insurer will negotiate the hospital down to that amount. Without any insurance the family should go looking for a good lawyer to represent them.

 

[Cobster]

Sorry to hear about your grandfathers stroke.

Rest assured he is in good hand here in Buffalo.

...you realize Buffalo is in America right?
Health care $$$

So you live in the armpit of that dump? lol

 

[Cobster]

Unfortunately, there are no limits for people who do this to themselves:

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=198601

lmao!!!

 

[themexi]

Once youre back in Canada, can they actually collect on outstanding fees?

I mean if it's cheaper to have your grandfather stiff them by just not paying or declaring bankruptcy then go for it.... Your grandfather will be the only one legally on the hook anyway.... If he can never go back to the states so what? Better than being in debt forever........ Don't feel bad for the hospital .... they look out for themselves, you should do the same.