Americans aren’t alone in their struggle to comprehend the healthcare conundrum. Our neighbors to the north must wade through plenty of medical jargon and red tape too. Though their coverage is universal, it has limits on what is allowed and—more importantly—when. With that in mind, many Canadians visit outpatient clinics in the United States, like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), because of their skilled surgeons, transparency pricing, and rapid turnaround.
While available to all citizens, Canadian healthcare “must adhere to the Canada Health Act (1985), which in turn sets standards for ‘medically necessary’ hospital, diagnostic, and physician services.” Unfortunately, research shows this means the average wait time between referral and treatment has increased to 21.1 weeks in 2017. Need testing done beforehand? “This year, Canadians could expect to wait 4.1 weeks for a computed tomography (CT) scan, 10.8 weeks for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and 3.9 weeks for an ultrasound.”
These delays are more than an inconvenience. “Wait times can, and do, have serious consequences such as increased pain, suffering, and mental anguish. In certain instances, they can also result in poorer medical outcomes—transforming potentially reversible illnesses or injuries into chronic, irreversible conditions, or even permanent disabilities.”
Pacific Surgical Center welcomes Canuck patients with open arms. We accept a wide array of insurance options and our transparency pricing model means no sticker shock when wisely shopping around for care.
PSC specializes in orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology, general surgery, and podiatry. This includes anything from carpal tunnel release to knee arthroscopy, repair of hammer toes and trigger fingers to sports injury treatment. Many procedures are available as out-patient services to streamline your visit so that on the day of surgery things run smoothly.
Typically, patients at PSC are seen within 4-6 weeks and much of the pre-surgical lab work can be completed on-site. The Center offers an “attractive alternative to hospital-based surgery, eliminating common concerns most people have. Your experience will involve exceptional care with easier access, more privacy, less paperwork, greater comfort and less stress than if your procedure were performed at a hospital.”
More than that, “Our physicians use the most advanced surgical equipment and technology available. This ensures that your procedure will be fast, comfortable and minimally invasive; and it also will require less recovery time than a surgical procedure performed using older methods and instruments.”
Even with the variables of insurance percentages and a currency exchange rates, PSC’s costs are straightforward and explained up-front by staff and financial counselors. Clearly listed, they “include the facility fee, the surgeon’s fee, and the anesthesiologist’s fee. The initial consultation with the surgeon is also included, as is uncomplicated follow-up care. The duration of postoperative care is different for each surgical procedure. Therefore, your surgeon will inform you at the initial consultation the amount of postoperative care covered by the price…Our goal is for the price to be as transparent as possible.”
For those traveling into Washington for service, “Any overnight stay at our facility can be arranged on a case-by-case basis for an additional charge. Certain procedures require an additional stay as part of the treatment plan, and this is included in the price. Lodging and travel expenses are not included…though we can help advise your travel plans since we have an affiliation with a local hotel that offers our patients a discount.”
Knowledge, as they say, is power. Having a clear grasp of your options, costs, and turnaround time reduces anxiety in an inherently stressful situation. But with caring doctors, staff, and administrators, Pacific Surgical Center will have you in, out, and on your way.
For more information on services offered by Pacific Surgical Center, call 360-442-7900 or fill out our online form. We will contact you to work out all the details of your potential or upcoming visit. Read more about the Center’s board-certified staff of doctors or request a specific specialist before you come.
Look through patient resources for downloadable forms, frequently asked questions, and a list of patients’ rights and responsibilities.
PSC is located at 625 9th Avenue in Longview, Washington, 120 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or 48 miles from Portland International Airport. Why wait months—or even years—to live a more mobile, pain-free life? Canadians only need a valid passport to visit the United States for up to six months at a time. Thanks to Pacific Surgical Center, that leaves plenty of time to visit friends and family, or just explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest.