Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This was my first time using the healthcare system in the United States of America. It was an interesting experience, because none of the helathcare professionals along the Gulf Coast of Alabama had experience dealing with a Canadian. That being said, they were very helpful and always incredibly friendly. Southern Hospitality!
There are some differences between Canada and United States as countries in general, but overall we are very similar. One of the things people often to point to in Canada is our 'free' healthcare. We are generally proud of it... we pay increased taxes compared to Americans, but we tend to have more social services, helathcare included.
But, what to do when you injure yourself (like I did!) when traveling in the U.S? Suddenly, it was time for me to start calling orthopedic specialists and see if I can get an appointment. To my amazement, within 48 hours I had both consulted an orthopedic surgeon and recevied an MRI. The cost was 750 USD. In Toronto, where I'm from this process would take 6+ months. (I know that because I have done this exact process years ago). Although, the out-of-pocket cost would be $0.
In Canada, we have exactly 0 private doctors. Although, we are talking about allowing some select healthcare services to be privatized -- MRIs are one of them. (The MRIs are so busy in Canada, they run 24/7. No Kidding. My last MRI appointment in Canada was at midnight!) I am a proud Canadian who still thinks our public healthcare is pretty great, but allowing privatized MRIs gets my vote. I know tons of people who would glady pay 750 to get a next day MRI. This would also help the public MRI machines have shorter wait times :).
As a bonus to this video, our lovely baby Jean got a vaccine at the public health department in Alabama! (Unforunuately we could not film there, because it is a public facility). We were surprised to learn that the U.S has MORE vaccines required for children than Canada. We would've assumed the two countries had the same vaccine schedule. Nevertheless, we were able to get just what Jean needed, at the low cost of 7 USD! It did take two hours to recevied the shot, BUT! the staff there were 10/10. It was their first time processing the paperwork for a Canadian, and they figured it out and got us through. Big thanks to them.
THANKS FOR WATHCING AND BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE IN THE VIDEO
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Waiting 7 months for surgery, in Canada
4:18 - 250 USD consultation with orthopedic surgeon
13:51 - There is 0 private healthcare in Canada
14:53 - NEXT DAY MRI! (500 USD, with advertisements in the headphones!!)
16:48 - Baby Jean got her shots in Alabama!
17:08 - Final review Canadian vs American healthcare system
▶︎ BEST eSIM we use for our travels: holafly.sjv.io/o4v9gb, and use code JETLAGHOLA5 for 5% OFF
▶︎Join the JetFam channel membership to get access to perks, including live members only chat:
youtube.com/channel/UC1soWWg79S9TUdSjzAHHftw/join
▶︎SUBSCRIBE! (it's free!!)
bit.ly/2rO5tNC
▶︎If you like our videos and would like to support us, consider buying us a cup of coffee (or chai / teh tarik)! ☕️:
buymeacoffee.com/jetlagwarriors
▶︎INSTAGRAM: @jetlagwarriors
instagram.com/jetlagwarriors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JetLagWarriors is a Canadian couple -- Steve and Ivana. After travelling here and there for a few years, mostly during Canadian winter, we fully caught the travel bug and decided to travel INDEFINITELY! Subscribe to keep up with our journey. Thanks!
This was my first time using the healthcare system in the United States of America. It was an interesting experience, because none of the helathcare professionals along the Gulf Coast of Alabama had experience dealing with a Canadian. That being said, they were very helpful and always incredibly friendly. Southern Hospitality!
There are some differences between Canada and United States as countries in general, but overall we are very similar. One of the things people often to point to in Canada is our 'free' healthcare. We are generally proud of it... we pay increased taxes compared to Americans, but we tend to have more social services, helathcare included.
But, what to do when you injure yourself (like I did!) when traveling in the U.S? Suddenly, it was time for me to start calling orthopedic specialists and see if I can get an appointment. To my amazement, within 48 hours I had both consulted an orthopedic surgeon and recevied an MRI. The cost was 750 USD. In Toronto, where I'm from this process would take 6+ months. (I know that because I have done this exact process years ago). Although, the out-of-pocket cost would be $0.
In Canada, we have exactly 0 private doctors. Although, we are talking about allowing some select healthcare services to be privatized -- MRIs are one of them. (The MRIs are so busy in Canada, they run 24/7. No Kidding. My last MRI appointment in Canada was at midnight!) I am a proud Canadian who still thinks our public healthcare is pretty great, but allowing privatized MRIs gets my vote. I know tons of people who would glady pay 750 to get a next day MRI. This would also help the public MRI machines have shorter wait times :).
As a bonus to this video, our lovely baby Jean got a vaccine at the public health department in Alabama! (Unforunuately we could not film there, because it is a public facility). We were surprised to learn that the U.S has MORE vaccines required for children than Canada. We would've assumed the two countries had the same vaccine schedule. Nevertheless, we were able to get just what Jean needed, at the low cost of 7 USD! It did take two hours to recevied the shot, BUT! the staff there were 10/10. It was their first time processing the paperwork for a Canadian, and they figured it out and got us through. Big thanks to them.
THANKS FOR WATHCING AND BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE IN THE VIDEO
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Waiting 7 months for surgery, in Canada
4:18 - 250 USD consultation with orthopedic surgeon
13:51 - There is 0 private healthcare in Canada
14:53 - NEXT DAY MRI! (500 USD, with advertisements in the headphones!!)
16:48 - Baby Jean got her shots in Alabama!
17:08 - Final review Canadian vs American healthcare system
▶︎ BEST eSIM we use for our travels: holafly.sjv.io/o4v9gb, and use code JETLAGHOLA5 for 5% OFF
▶︎Join the JetFam channel membership to get access to perks, including live members only chat:
youtube.com/channel/UC1soWWg79S9TUdSjzAHHftw/join
▶︎SUBSCRIBE! (it's free!!)
bit.ly/2rO5tNC
▶︎If you like our videos and would like to support us, consider buying us a cup of coffee (or chai / teh tarik)! ☕️:
buymeacoffee.com/jetlagwarriors
▶︎INSTAGRAM: @jetlagwarriors
instagram.com/jetlagwarriors
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JetLagWarriors is a Canadian couple -- Steve and Ivana. After travelling here and there for a few years, mostly during Canadian winter, we fully caught the travel bug and decided to travel INDEFINITELY! Subscribe to keep up with our journey. Thanks!
