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Canada is not like NZ. Public health insurance has a monopoly on the things it covers. If you get extended coverage it is for things not covered by your public plan.

There’s no way to pay for better/faster treatment if it’s publicly covered.

EDIT: Edited to clarify I'm speaking specifically about Canada as there is some confusion in the replies.



> There’s no way to pay for better/faster treatment if it’s publicly covered.

I can't speak to the situation in Canada, but in the UK this is not true. You can get private insurance and go to private doctors.


> There’s no way to pay for better/faster treatment if it’s publicly covered.

This is an outright lie, here in Uruguay and in Chile both with social Healthcare you can enter onto different private plans and that will expedite surgeries, doctor meetings etc

It is something that depends on a country per country basis


This is an outright lie…

Easy there, cowboy. Based on the conversation, I believe OP is still referring to Canada, not every country with socialized healthcare.

“Assuming CAN is like NZ…”

“It’s (Canada) not.”


Not even private hospitals?


A hospital may or may not be for profit but they aren’t allowed to set their own prices or accept anything except OHIP or other provincial insurance. The exception is if you have no public health insurance (e.g. a tourist) or if it’s for a service not covered like cosmetic plastic surgery.

They do let you pay for a private hospital room though oddly enough.




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