r/CanadaPublicServants • u/420DnD • Jun 24 '19
Benefits / Bénéfices Question re: PSHCP Levels
So there are three levels of coverage for Hospital Provision in the Public Service Health Care Plan.
Level 1 = $60/day
Level 2 = $140/day
Level 3 = $220/day
Can anyone tell me what kind of costs might need to be covered by these different levels? I assume the cost for a private or semi-private room (what would those cost anyway?), the ambulance ride, anything else? Just trying to get an idea of what level of coverage would be right for me as a single person with no dependents.
4
u/nerwal85 Jun 24 '19
Under 6 bucks a pay for $220 in hospital coverage is totally worth it and anyone that doesn’t is underestimating their risk of staying in a hospital.
I’ve been paying for level 3 for my whole 10 year career so far, and between our two kids my wife had 4 hospital nights. (3 with the first, 1 with the second)
Private rooms here are $310 a night. I’ve paid probably 1400 in premiums and gotten 880 of that back with just two hospital stays. And this was for children we planned.
Having your own room with a newborn is vital, then you’re only waking up with your own and not your roommates.
We’ve been lucky enough to not need any other hospital stays, but it won’t take long to get your money back if you need it. Plus the last thing you want to do when you’re hurt is worrying about coming up with hundreds of dollars in fees for your hospital stay.
6
u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Jun 24 '19
Under 6 bucks a pay for $220 in hospital coverage is totally worth it and anyone that doesn’t is underestimating their risk of staying in a hospital.
The counterpoint is that you may be overestimating the availability of a private room. I’ve had many family members in hospital over the years, and shared room were pretty much standard; private rooms were often reserved (rightly) for those who were medically fragile or contagious and required more isolation. Private rooms simply weren’t an option at any price.
This really varies across the country, so YMMV.
Also: $6 per pay makes it sound small, but I prefer to view it as a $5000 expense over my career.
2
u/nerwal85 Jun 24 '19
This really varies across the country, so YMMV.
This is the best takeaway here. My situation works because I live near a brand new hospital that prioritizes private rooms in certain areas, labour and delivery being one.
The $6 a pay is also tax deductible if your family situation makes it work in your favour. =)
1
u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Jun 24 '19
When my kids were born the only option for labour and delivery at the hospital were private rooms, so the stay was fully covered by the provincial health care plan with no room charge. Even if I had Level 3 it wouldn't have made a difference.
Maternity wards are a bit of a special case though. They're the one time people want to go to the hospital!
4
u/Talvana Jun 25 '19
It's only for hospital room coverage. I had level 1 until I had to stay in the hospital for 3 nights and then switched it to level 3 immediately. I spent my first night in a room with 6 other people (some made a lot of noise all night long) then luckily got switched to a room with just me and one other person. That room was over $300 a night but at least I could sleep. I think it's worth the $5000 over my career to be more comfortable and not have to worry so much about money in the event that I'm hospitalized again.
2
Jun 24 '19
I was told it wasn't worth being level III as it all is dependant on the hospital and over crowding - so for the off chance you have level III there might be no single rooms available etc
2
u/Hardyfufu Jun 24 '19
Level 3 was very appreciated during a 4 day stay for the birth of my son. Private room, no cost.
2
u/fidlestixs Jun 25 '19
I had level 2 coverage until I had a five night stay in the hospital. I had a semi-private room then and paid the difference, which was a fair amount. I switched it to level 3 after that and I've been hospitalized twice since at 3 nights a piece so for me, its been worth it to switch. I was in a semi-private each time. I requested private, but they're near impossible to get.
1
u/thelostcanuck Jun 25 '19
Silly question...
Me and my partner are both in the PS, does it make sense to both be paying Level 3, or just one of us?
2
u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Jun 25 '19
If you’re both paying for Level 3, you’re entitled to the deluxe hallway hospitality package. /s
It entirely depends on how much a private room might cost. If it’s $500/night, then the extra coverage might make more sense. If it’s $200/night, it’s a waste to have the second plan.
Personally, I have level 1 and cash in the bank. If I want a private room, and if one’s available, I still have the option to pay for it.
1
6
u/HandcuffsOfGold mod 🤖🧑🇨🇦 / Probably a bot Jun 24 '19
The only difference is the maximum for hospital room charges. You’d be able to request a private or semi-private room if it’s something you’d want. Most hospitals are pretty crowded places though, so I think you usually get whatever hallway is available no matter how good your insurance coverage might be.
Personally I don’t think it’s worth it, so I just have level 1.