• I’ve had to go to the emergency room three times now for severe food poisoning, in two countries. In the US it cost about $3k each time, post insurance. In Canada I was able to walk out of the ER like it was a pokemon center

    • gramie@lemmy.ca
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      20 hours ago

      I just went to the emergency room today (in Canada). I had slipped on ice and my knee was too painful to walk.

      Arrive at 9:00 am. Small town, no charge for parking at the hospital.

      Go into the emergency department, no one waiting there. I take a number, it’s #2.

      Five minutes later, I’m with the triage nurse. She decides I should have an X-ray before seeing the doctor. That takes 30 minutes.

      Wait 15 minutes for the doctor, she stays that nothing is torn or broken, I just have a sprain. Gives me a knee brace and prescription for an anti-inflammatory.

      Walk out 90 minutes after I arrived. Total cost: $0.00 (plus $2.85 to fill the prescription).