Cost of an annual physical more than the system can bear?
When was the last time you had a checkup? A year ago? Two?
With the cost of medical bills rising all the time, some of us may need to rethink that annual physical exam, say health-care critics.
Those annual checkups are too often a formality that siphons time and money from the healthcare system without offering definitive improvements for patients in return, they maintain.
This may be particularly when you consider that the screening tests that routinely accompany them may not be of great use, and can lead to unneeded procedures.
For instance, another new report has labelled the PSA blood test, which is generally not covered by OHIP and other provincial plans, as a marginal prostate cancer screening tool.
Many can have high rates of “false positives,” signaling that there may be disease, when further tests and procedures reveal none. Likewise, they can screen for conditions where early detection doesn't alter the course of the disease.
Mixed messages like those surrounding PSA keep more Canadians from taking control of cancer, getting screened regularly and living longer as a result, counter believers.
How often do you have a complete physical? Given that our system isn't 'free', would you be willing to go less often?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Mia | Jun 5, 2012 4:44:15 PM
We are only allowed 1 physical every 12 months. I would assume based on just the friends and family that surround me, most don't even go once a year.
It seems that Canada's FREE health care system has grown legs because most people outside Canada think we get more than we do.
I am glad I live here for sure. The best country in the world, but people....we pay through our taxes for our beloved health care....it certainly is not free!!!
Posted by: SP | Jun 5, 2012 6:13:09 PM
There is the option of allowing all the foreign doctors that Canada has recruited from around the world to work as Doctors instead of Taxi drivers. This would allow 4x as many Doctors to make $100,000.00 a year instead of the numbers we've got with many making $400,000.00 + a year.
(And don't give me this cr4p about Doctors being saintly figures with superhuman abilities. One only need to see their massive numbers of scr3w-ups to realize that most are little better than skilled plumbers.
It is a messed up system when Doctors police themselves and determine their own wages by limiting access to their kleptocratic club.
PS In a couple years only Saudi Arabia will produce more Oil than Canada. We CAN afford decent social services for all Canadians.
Posted by: Frank | Jun 5, 2012 6:41:52 PM
Why is there so much emphasis on health care and so little attention paid to physical wellness. Smoking, alcohol, illegal drug and obesity are ruining the health of the country. Who know the dollar impact. Canada needs a system that rewards conscious responsible behavior running in tandem with our healthcare. Our healthcare system is not sustainable. Throwing more money at it will not solve the problems. Access to a gym is needed far more than access to a doctors office. The only thing wrong with Canada's heath care system is about 50% of Canadians.
Posted by: DrVex007 | Jun 9, 2012 12:46:16 AM
Our system is not perfect and it is getting worse. I recently received a letter from my doctor stating that I should not be going to walk-in clinics because they bill my family doctor for the visit and that walk-in clinics are notoriously bad. A doctor sent me this. Walk-in clinics are poor, but when it takes weeks to get a family doctor appointment what is one to do?
As for the taxi drivers who are doctors? Sorry, but no thanks. I would rather the Government offer tuition reductions for top students who enrol in medical school. The deal is however that you must pass everything and you must complete your program or you repay all monies given to you.
Posted by: Bob | Jun 9, 2012 9:04:22 AM
The PSA is not covered which is used as a precursor to cancer of a males genital tract and yet every test used in female genital cancer research is covered....not to mention sex change operations are also covered by OHIP??? Its time to rethink the importance of certain tests and procedures when allocating healthcare funds. Preventative medicine should be covered ie yearly physicals and ALL tests that detect such things as cancer. Sex changes are cosmetic and I really do not appreciate my tax dollars funding such things. As for foriegn doctors Im all for it so long as they are fluent in our countries language and meet Canadian medical standards to practice.
Posted by: Long Ago | Jun 9, 2012 9:41:32 AM
Healthy Teeth are so important to having good health and wellness. However, not even basic dental care is covered for adults to maintain proper oral hygien and maitenance.
You would be surprised how much impact basic dental care would reduce other future health problems.
BASIC is the key and not cosmetics etc.
Posted by: Gord | Jun 9, 2012 10:52:12 AM
So you have listed all sorts of situations but, how much does it cost for a complete anual checkup?? Does anyone know including all lab, Dr. and xray costs?
Posted by: D | Jun 9, 2012 12:56:50 PM
A few yrs ago I had many health problems, no one here could tell me what was wrong. My husband took me to Europe and his US medical insurance paid for me to have a complete evaluation of my health. I was hospitalized for one week and was tested for everything with x-rays, blood work, everything that could be done. I found out that I was on heart medication I didn't need and that it was causing my body to swell, as well as making me sick..also that I have rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. That week stay in the hospital cost my husband's insurance company $20,000 US. I don't know how much all that would have cost here in Canada, but I do know that this kind of service is not available..well, not for everyone. It's likely available for those of high rank and it's probably covered for them, I can't say for sure.
Posted by: Jim | Jun 9, 2012 12:57:32 PM
Exactly Gord. What is the cost in $$. What is the cost of a call back when my doctor has me go back to see him just so he can give me a 30 second recap of my latest test results, especially if the results are good. What is the cost in $$ of a basic 15 minute appointment ?? Why do doctors overbook ? Why don't I see my doctor until 2:00 if I have a 1:30 appointment ? Is it because something else has come up during the day ? Well, it seems like something comes up every day. Specialists are especially bad. They overbook and keep us waiting because they can.
Posted by: bill | Jun 9, 2012 1:09:49 PM
well,as i can see we have a bunch of complaining about our health care.I agree the compulsive abuse of the systym is unacceptable,oh and by the way sp i can only assume you are a donkey skilled pipe fitter as you seem to have no regard for the plumbers.....so on that note i have to go fix your leak .....lol....get real people
Posted by: BS | Jun 9, 2012 2:16:41 PM
As a family physician in Toronto, I have about 2,500 patients, which is average load for most family doctors here. Doing one physical examinations per patient per year will require us to do nearly 10 physical examinations per day, which is unattainable, for each examination will require 45 min.
Most preventive screening tests are recommended for every 2 to 3 years.
The average cost of annual physical examination for average adult is estimated by me to be about $400. So they are not free.
In our professional, annual physical examinations are now called periodic health examinations.
Comprehensive physical examinations should be applied appropriately to individual patients, in terms of frequency, breadth and depth, not only for the benefit of patients, but also to achieve cost effectiveness.
Posted by: CS | Jun 9, 2012 2:56:21 PM
I am a widow on a very fixed income...I live in Alberta...My driver's license is due to be renewed this month...I'm diabetic so I need a physical prior to renewing it...I almost had a stroke when I booked my appointment and was told the cost will be $140.00....How do health care professionals JUSTIFY that amount, especially for ppl on very fixed incomes? The physical for my license isn't even like a yearly physical...No tests are done, etc etc...
Posted by: Paul | Jun 9, 2012 4:10:50 PM
Awareness is the key. I think If people were made aware of the true cost of medical services, hopefully most would be more conscious about needless abuse. I think OHIP should give us a copy of the billing to show us exactly what services are costing. $400 for a check up ? That is way more than I even thought it would cost. I just returned from Florida where I took and elderly aunt of mine for her first hip surgery post op exam. 4 x-rays and about 5 mins. with the surgeon. On the way out they gave me a coppy of the bill that will be presented to her insurance company..$3,722 !!! Who would have ever guessed. I'm waiting for the surgery bill .
Posted by: Vince | Jun 9, 2012 5:36:16 PM
I am a firm believer of having physicals every year. I am a perfect example. I have enjoyed fairly good health in all my 49 years. On more than 1 occasion, I would go into a physical feeling great as if nothing was wrong. After the tests return, the tables have turned and my blood tests show signs of serious and potentially serious problems. It has been proven that early detection is your best line of defence. I think Canada has a great healthcare system WHEN you compare it to other countries. My doctor's secretary tryed to deter me from booking my annual physical last year because I was feeling fine. She has been eating her words ever since.
Posted by: Someone in Maple | Jun 9, 2012 7:35:53 PM
Cost of a physcial here in Ontario for me is zero. It goes to $50.00 if I get a PSA test (and that is payable to the lab, not the doctor). My insurance at work covers that.
Despite all the complaints about our health sytem, I have to say I have been treated very well within the last 2 weeks due to an unexpected health issue. I can get an appoitment with my GP within a day at most, and have had out patient care as well (they would have come to my home also, for free).