Not exactly free in all parts of Canada but certainly at a manageable
cost. Most provinces have eliminated Health Care premiums but Alberta
collects a premium of about 90.00/mo. per adult. Seniors get a reduced
rate and low income families are subsidised.
Medications are not covered under Medicare but many
companies have prescription benefits as part of their overall
employee benefit plans. In my case there is a $2.00 per
prescription co-payment which my pharmacist always waives.
I nearly quit my job about 3 months ago because of a run-in with my
boss but in retrospect it is a damned good thing that things got
patched up as the benefit package is pretty decent . My employer
has started me on Short term disability which gives me 100% salary for
the first month and 70% until I have been off for 26 weeks.
At the 26 week point I can be put on Long Term Disability which
guarantees me about 67% of my salary until age 65. In addition I have
Term Life rider that will pay my estate 65,000.00 on my death. That
along with Canada Pension ,Old Age Security and other Private coverages
and insurances pretty much guarantees that I will have no serious
financial problems during my illness and further that my wife will be
well provided for in the event that I do not recover.
Taken all around things could be a lot worse.