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Where do we get cheaper prescription, USA or Canada?It depends on where and how it is measuredIf you are comparing Canada negotiated prices with list prices, Canada is less costlyBut that is a bit dishonestIn both Canada and the U S - drug prices are NEGOTIATEDIn the U S, the negotiated prices are generated by Insures. As a result, the actual U S prices when people are insured are far less than list price - because the insurer negotiates the prices, and the Parent Company Insurer is leveraging on behalf of about the same size population as the Canadian government system-To put it in context -Canada has a population of about 38 million, the U S is at 327 millionCanadian National government and the government of the provinces manage the regulations for the care of the Canadian population - and decide what is covered. In the U S that task is split between state government regulations and the Insurers offering plans in the stateCanada uses both national and provincial regulation to set drug prices, the U S insurers bargain on behalf of the Insured they are accountable forCanada’s buying power is about EQUAL to the buying power of a large Parent Insurer in the U S, negotiating on behalf of it’s covered employers, clients and it’s share of Federal InsuredCanada drug prices are negotiated to a base price, and drugs prices see markups plus fees and costs to retail that drug. U S Insurers negotiate an “at point of sale price”, so there are no further markups-In the U S, as a result of insurer negotiationMany generics are mail order and many are ZERO cost in the U S under insurances, and so are cheaper to the consumer in the U SInsulin in the U S WITH insurance can be 25.00 per monthly supply - and meters, test strips and lancets are ZERO copay. For an example - Cigna has such programs for diabetics in the U S-The following may be helpful in reviewing Canada’s system https://www.conferenceboard.ca/temp/1ed0abbe-8de5-4c3a-a0fe-1afaa3b0cbaf/9897_Health%20Care%20Aware_BR.pdf (https://www.conferenceboard.ca/temp/1ed0abbe-8de5-4c3a-a0fe-1afaa3b0cbaf/9897_Health%20Care%20Aware_BR.pdf)“The retail price paid for pharmaceuticals is a result of several different costs, markups, and fees, few of which are well understood by consumers. Variations in the final retail cost of the same drug across provinces and territories, and even within jurisdictions, have been a source of confusion for many. In the absence of clarity on how the system works, inconsistency in prices has prompted concerns and complaints about fairness—often targeted at actors in the system who have only partial control over the final cost consumers pay.”also Pharmaceutical Cost Control In Canada: Does It Work?“In 1987 the ratio of the Canadian prices of patented drugs to the median of the prices in the seven comparison countries was 1.23 (that is, prices were, on average, 23 percent higher in Canada); Canadian prices were higher than in all of the other countries except the United States. This ratio has declined since then, and in 1999 prices were on average about 10 percent below the comparison median; only the United States, Italy, and France had higher average prices. 9Currency exchange rates could have some influence on these ratios. 10 “

In some cases, testing for the novel coronavirus is free, but you could still be on the hook for other medical costs related to testing or hospital visits.Widespread testing of people at risk for coronavirus infection is needed to avoid rapid spread of the virus.The uninsured and underinsured are the ones most likely to think twice before going to the hospital or doctor’s office for a coronavirus test.After a slow rollout of coronavirus testing in the United States, the Trump administration is trying to ramp up the country’s testing capacity.But experts say people’s concerns about unexpected medical bills related to coronavirus testing could deter many people from being tested or seeking medical care if they develop symptoms.Widespread testing of people at risk for coronavirus infection is needed to avoid rapid spread of the virus.“It’s in our interest to have a uniform identification of [COVID-19] cases. This is about more than just personal healthcare, it’s about public health,” said Dr. Robert Amler, dean of the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College and a former chief medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Millions of Americans already struggle to pay their medical bills, including30 million uninsuredTrusted Sourceand 44 million underinsured (those with high out-of-pocket costs and deductibles).And because most deductibles reset at the beginning of the year, people with high deductibles could end up paying thousands of dollars before their insurance covers any of their medical costs.The uninsured and underinsured are the ones most likely to think twice before going to the hospital or doctor’s office for a coronavirus test. And understandably so.Recent reports have surfaced of people racking up thousands of dollars in medical costs after going to the hospital with a possible coronavirus infection or after being released from a mandatory U.S. government quarantine.Since these reports came out, the federal and state government, along with health insurers, have moved forward with changes to make coronavirus testing free or less expensive.But given the country’s patchwork healthcare system, the costs related to coronavirus testing and treatment are still not clear. Here’s what we know so far.How much will coronavirus testing cost?The cost of having a coronavirus test done depends on which lab runs the test and what health insurance you have.Tests completed by a CDC, state, or city public health laboratory are free to patients. These labs, though, are expected to run only a small fraction of the tests.Tests run at private or academic labs aren’t free, which means they could bill your health insurer — who could then bill you — for the cost of the test. If you’re uninsured, you’d be billed directly, possibly for the entire cost.Certain insurers are making the test more affordable for members. Earlier this week, Vice President Mike Pence announced that Medicare and Medicaid would cover the entire cost of the test.Pence also said the tests would be deemed “essential health benefits,” meaning they must be covered by most insurance plans.However, even if they’re covered, the costs may still fall to the patient if they haven’t yet met their deductible, if they have a copay, or if they have certain insurance plans that are no longer required to provide essential health benefits.The board of the industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) said in a statement that its member insurers would “ease” or “waive” cost-sharing for the test. They didn’t offer specifics on what that meant.However, one of AHIP’s members, Cigna, later announced that it would waive all copays and cost-sharing for the test.Some states have also ordered insurers to waive copays and deductibles for coronavirus testing, including New York, Nevada, Washington, and California.These restrictions, though, may not apply to plans offered by larger employers.If you think you may have the coronavirus, you can check with your insurance company before getting tested.You can also call your doctor to see whether you can come in for a test directly and not risk a trip to the emergency room, which could lead to a hefty bill.You can also call your state or local health department to see whether they provide the test for free.What about other medical costs?Even if the coronavirus test itself is free, you could still be on the hook for other medical costs related to testing or treatment.Business Insider laid out some of these other costs. They can include the cost of a visit to the emergency department or urgent care center. It can also include the cost of other blood tests, including flu testing.The cost of these other medical services depends on your insurance, as well as whether you’re going to a facility that’s in your policy’s network. If you’re uninsured, the healthcare facility will often try to bill you for the full amount.Even if you originally go in to be tested for the coronavirus, you could incur costs not directly related to the virus.One of the stories circulating on social media about the high cost of coronavirus testing involves a man who returned to Miami from China with “flu-like symptoms.”Worried that he might have coronavirus, he went to the emergency department for testing.The initial cost of his visit was $3,270.However, this was for the visit and testing for other upper respiratory pathogens, including the flu, which he tested positive for. He was not tested for coronavirus.Recent legislative efforts may help offset the costs of some of these other medical expenses.President Trump signed a bill last week providing $8.3 billion in emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak.It’s not clear whether any of this funding would offset medical costs related to coronavirus treatment. But Democrats plan to introduce a bill that would make Medicaid cover coronavirus testing and treatment for all Americans.Many health plans have copays and deductibles, which are designed to deter people from overusing the medical system.But in the case of public health issues like the coronavirus outbreak — or even vaccination for influenza or the measles — this is the opposite of what needs to happen.“You certainly want the population to be well vaccinated,” Amler said, “and you don’t want copays or deductibles to be impediments to people getting the vaccines that all good public policy dictates they should have.”David W. Hutton, PhD, associate professor of health management and policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, thinks making the coronavirus test free would encourage people to get tested, although it’s not clear how much.Still, he says the public health benefits of free testing are clear.“I think it is really valuable for us to know how many people are infected,” Hutton said, “and it’s valuable for people to be tested so they can self-isolate to reduce transmission of the novel coronavirus.”What to Do If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19If you have COVID-19 or suspect you have the virus that causes COVID-19, you should seek medical care.You have several options for obtaining medical care, including being seen by your primary healthcare provider. The CDC recommends calling your provider first so that they can take the necessary steps to prepare for your visit and protect others from possible exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.Some healthcare providers also offer virtual visits through your smartphone or laptop, so you may not need to leave your home for an initial assessment.If you don’t have a primary healthcare provider, you can use this tool to find a local primary care office in your area.If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Notify the operator that you have COVID-19 or suspect exposure to the virus that causes it. If possible, put on a face mask before emergency medical services arrive.Disclosure: Healthline maintains a partnership with some of the providers linked above and may receive compensation for services provided.FEEDBACK:Written by Shawn Radcliffe on March 9, 2020 - Fact checked by Jennifer Chesak New