Today is the funeral for my Friend's BF. He had made arrangements before he passed. He always wanted to go to New Orleans but never made it. The services are at chapel on the grounds of the cemetery. We will be walking from the chapel to the graveside lead by a New Orleans band as they do in New Orleans. We will be given parasols to carry. This will be one wild time!
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Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
Monster started grumping just before 5 this morning.
I see a nap in my future.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Take pictures! I know, it's tacky to take pictures at funerals. Sneak take them.
It's common here.
My aunt took pictures at Mawmaw's for mom.
But, then again, mom couldn't really see at that point, mom asked her to take them so she could see them later.
We have at least one picture of everyone who has died in our family.
Guess it's a southern thing.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
In other news, we just a had a giant localized rain storm that shut down the lower part of my town. It's super close to sea level and built so that minor floods can't jump the barriers, but that means that it is sloped the wrong way for rain floods. Even the drains are overwhelmed.
To make it even better, one of the main thoroughfares is closed because lightening directly hit a transformer and there are blocks of people without power and not enough police to traffic-direct in all the areas where the explosion knocked out. Happy Winter, everyone!
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
The funeral was, geesh one of the best I've been too. Weird? Located at this beautiful and historical Cemetery in Cambridge Ma. Mount Auburn. They have two chapels that are used for anything you want to rent for; funerals, weddings, etc. The architecture is unreal and there are so many grave statues that are 200 YO. The band and the parade we did was so great. I couldn't take pics. As I said before my friend has no family to speak of, his family was there of course but they let her make all the arrangements as if she was his wife. Myself and 2 other friends really is almost all she has so we were in the front of the parade walking behind the band to the grave side and back to the chapel for the reception.
I want to do the same New Orleans theme when I go but request everyone dress in drag.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
If you have a special extended plan, yes. Our federal (the ones you just have) only cover the basics and emergencies. Surgery, ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medical supplies and the like. Special things like therapy, massage therapy, etc. are not considered essential.
Many employers (and individuals - I do) have extended benefits which would cover additional things like vision care (outside of emergency or opthamology), dental (outside of emergency or medical necessity), therapy, massage therapy and stuff. Of course, different plans cover different things. For instance, my plan has great dental care but covers $8 of massage therapy. Some therapy benefits are just for social workers, just for psychologists, or for clinical counsellors, or all of the above. I am a clinical counsellor so many plans cover me but not all. There are additional funded government programs like Criminal Victims Assistance Program which covers $80 towards counselling as well as additional crime victim related expenses. Loss of income, medical not covered by MSP, prescriptions, lost work, crime scene clean up, etc.
Work training programs will cover counselling, as will some other programs. However, these are not accessible to all people and many of the programs cover some but not all.
So yes, our national health care has free/cheap support, but only for necessities. That said, everything else is a tax deduction under 'uncovered medical'. I am considered a non-essential service, so I am covered by some (but not all) extended health programs. Not for the MSP.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
If you have a special extended plan, yes. Our federal (the ones you just have) only cover the basics and emergencies. Surgery, ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medical supplies and the like. Special things like therapy, massage therapy, etc. are not considered essential.
Many employers (and individuals - I do) have extended benefits which would cover additional things like vision care (outside of emergency or opthamology), dental (outside of emergency or medical necessity), therapy, massage therapy and stuff. Of course, different plans cover different things. For instance, my plan has great dental care but covers $8 of massage therapy. Some therapy benefits are just for social workers, just for psychologists, or for clinical counsellors, or all of the above. I am a clinical counsellor so many plans cover me but not all. There are additional funded government programs like Criminal Victims Assistance Program which covers $80 towards counselling as well as additional crime victim related expenses. Loss of income, medical not covered by MSP, prescriptions, lost work, crime scene clean up, etc.
Work training programs will cover counselling, as will some other programs. However, these are not accessible to all people and many of the programs cover some but not all.
So yes, our national health care has free/cheap support, but only for necessities. That said, everything else is a tax deduction under 'uncovered medical'. I am considered a non-essential service, so I am covered by some (but not all) extended health programs. Not for the MSP.
So why do Canadians always say their healthcare system is better than the US'? Ours, with employer plans, covered all you described plus mental health and more. And even our national exchange covers it.
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
If you have a special extended plan, yes. Our federal (the ones you just have) only cover the basics and emergencies. Surgery, ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medical supplies and the like. Special things like therapy, massage therapy, etc. are not considered essential.
Many employers (and individuals - I do) have extended benefits which would cover additional things like vision care (outside of emergency or opthamology), dental (outside of emergency or medical necessity), therapy, massage therapy and stuff. Of course, different plans cover different things. For instance, my plan has great dental care but covers $8 of massage therapy. Some therapy benefits are just for social workers, just for psychologists, or for clinical counsellors, or all of the above. I am a clinical counsellor so many plans cover me but not all. There are additional funded government programs like Criminal Victims Assistance Program which covers $80 towards counselling as well as additional crime victim related expenses. Loss of income, medical not covered by MSP, prescriptions, lost work, crime scene clean up, etc.
Work training programs will cover counselling, as will some other programs. However, these are not accessible to all people and many of the programs cover some but not all.
So yes, our national health care has free/cheap support, but only for necessities. That said, everything else is a tax deduction under 'uncovered medical'. I am considered a non-essential service, so I am covered by some (but not all) extended health programs. Not for the MSP.
So why do Canadians always say their healthcare system is better than the US'? Ours, with employer plans, covered all you described plus mental health and more. And even our national exchange covers it.
Heck, even Medicaid covers all that.
Guess all those "our healthcare is better" blowhards are just lying through their teeth.
Color me surprised.
*insert eyeroll*
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
If you have a special extended plan, yes. Our federal (the ones you just have) only cover the basics and emergencies. Surgery, ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medical supplies and the like. Special things like therapy, massage therapy, etc. are not considered essential.
Many employers (and individuals - I do) have extended benefits which would cover additional things like vision care (outside of emergency or opthamology), dental (outside of emergency or medical necessity), therapy, massage therapy and stuff. Of course, different plans cover different things. For instance, my plan has great dental care but covers $8 of massage therapy. Some therapy benefits are just for social workers, just for psychologists, or for clinical counsellors, or all of the above. I am a clinical counsellor so many plans cover me but not all. There are additional funded government programs like Criminal Victims Assistance Program which covers $80 towards counselling as well as additional crime victim related expenses. Loss of income, medical not covered by MSP, prescriptions, lost work, crime scene clean up, etc.
Work training programs will cover counselling, as will some other programs. However, these are not accessible to all people and many of the programs cover some but not all.
So yes, our national health care has free/cheap support, but only for necessities. That said, everything else is a tax deduction under 'uncovered medical'. I am considered a non-essential service, so I am covered by some (but not all) extended health programs. Not for the MSP.
So why do Canadians always say their healthcare system is better than the US'? Ours, with employer plans, covered all you described plus mental health and more. And even our national exchange covers it.
I think it is about the deductible. I remember when i lived in the states I had to pay co-pays for dr appoints and things until my deductible was met annually. My deductible was never met because it was so high. I know that here I don't have to worry about that.
FML. I'm losing clients because of the rate that this clinic charges. I've had 3 this week who wanted to book but couldn't because they couldn't afford the rate (which I think is much too high). I also can't (per clinic policy) slide the scale.
I have only 1/3 of the caseload that i need and clients are being turned away because of rate.
I thought Canada had national health care and so visits are cheap or free?
If you have a special extended plan, yes. Our federal (the ones you just have) only cover the basics and emergencies. Surgery, ambulance, hospital stays, prescription medical supplies and the like. Special things like therapy, massage therapy, etc. are not considered essential.
Many employers (and individuals - I do) have extended benefits which would cover additional things like vision care (outside of emergency or opthamology), dental (outside of emergency or medical necessity), therapy, massage therapy and stuff. Of course, different plans cover different things. For instance, my plan has great dental care but covers $8 of massage therapy. Some therapy benefits are just for social workers, just for psychologists, or for clinical counsellors, or all of the above. I am a clinical counsellor so many plans cover me but not all. There are additional funded government programs like Criminal Victims Assistance Program which covers $80 towards counselling as well as additional crime victim related expenses. Loss of income, medical not covered by MSP, prescriptions, lost work, crime scene clean up, etc.
Work training programs will cover counselling, as will some other programs. However, these are not accessible to all people and many of the programs cover some but not all.
So yes, our national health care has free/cheap support, but only for necessities. That said, everything else is a tax deduction under 'uncovered medical'. I am considered a non-essential service, so I am covered by some (but not all) extended health programs. Not for the MSP.
So why do Canadians always say their healthcare system is better than the US'? Ours, with employer plans, covered all you described plus mental health and more. And even our national exchange covers it.
I think it is about the deductible. I remember when i lived in the states I had to pay co-pays for dr appoints and things until my deductible was met annually. My deductible was never met because it was so high. I know that here I don't have to worry about that.
But co pays here are a thing with mental health so we pay the same co pay for therapist appointments as if a regular doctor so it's affordable. What is the difference in the Canadian system to make mental health so unoffordable?
__________________
Sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug.
That sounds like a PPO rather than an HMO plan. With PPO you have to pay until your minimum deductible is reached then it's all covered. I remember having that when I was in my early 20's and always paid out of pocket for my annual papsmear. Only going to the doctor once a year was not going to ever meet the minimum. But once I joined an HMO, services are either free or charge a minimal deductible. The most my deductible has been was $30 and that was if I used a "specialist". Sure I have to use doctor's that are within the network, but where I live most doctors accept my insurance. I haven't actually ever had a problem. The HMO premiums are higher than a PPO, but for us, it's worth it.
Now, even though my DH is covered under my insurance, he decided to pay for a concierge plan because his primary physician of the last 30 or so years wouldn't prioritize his wellness exam. I told him find a new doctor who didn't make him wait 6 months for a wellness but instead he forked out over $1K for this concierge doctor. He was pretty happy with him and I will admit they seemed to be very thorough and organized.
Mental health care is not considered a necessity under out plans (outdated?) unless it is extremely high level. Psychiatric care is attended to at all levels, so there is some MH there. There is also treatment/detox/inpatient whatever, that is covered - especially under First Nations health authorities. That is very different from the US.
I think that the other difference between Canada and US is not having limits to the person in-network. I remember that we didn't (as a clinic) take medicare, because we weren't part of their network. People who weren't covered but wanted the service would pay out of pocket. I also remember (back in my misguided youth) that we would ask an injured person if they had coverage for ambulance transport before we called one. If they didn't it was an arm and a leg to pay for. We would just turf them in the car and take them to Emerge. Here ambulance calls are $50. The charge is only to keep people from abusing the service.
There are free, to those who need it, therapist, here.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists.
And as for paying till you reach your deductible, well, why not?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I'd rather pay for what I need when I need it than being taxed most my income for something I might not use.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
There are free, to those who need it, therapist, here.
Both psychologists and psychiatrists.
And as for paying till you reach your deductible, well, why not?
When I was there I had to use an in-network person. It was so hard to find someone qualified, so I paid privately for someone good, rather than the only person who took my crappy insurance.
Then I guess Georgia has better options than where you were, and are.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Good late evening, I'm glad you were there for your friend Ikwtd and he got the kind of funeral he wanted, I hope she is doing alright, as far as insurance goes the more the government tries to fix it the worse it gets.
We picked out our flooring and back splash today and will be put in the first part of January, will be so glad when it's all done. My husband is still grumbling that I insisted on hiring the painter instead of letting him paint.
He sent mom, me, and my kids to the beach for week.
He stayed home with the dog and painted every room.
Monster had paint all over him.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
