| I have not torn an ACL in the US, but when I did in Canada, I found the treatment professional and quite reasonable in timeliness (Vancouver, BC). I saw 3 different doctors, including seeking multiple opinions from 2 different knee specialists. I decided not to have surgery right away, and got a brace. A few years later, my preferred leisure activities changed, so I decided to have surgery done. It took 11 weeks to get an appointment (as it was elective surgery at that point). The surgery was done by an experienced surgeon (a few hundred ACLs under his belt), and he met with me 4 times himself during the following year to follow up on my recovery progress. Total out of pocket cost was ~$300 for a couple optional recovery devices (icing machine, etc.). Physiotherapy appointments were, however, covered by my employer's extended medical at the time. That was about $1-2k that I would have had to pay had I been completely uninsured. I probably would have elected for less and cheaper physio care in that case though. Short version: after reading this article/thread, I'd honestly be scared to join YC in SV, especially now that I have a daughter. (Side note, I tore my ACL in Ontario and had an initial appt there, but ended up getting treatment in BC. It seems a lot of posts here talk about which state you have coverage in? Is the paid-for insurance not country-wide either??) |
There's the separate concept of in-network and out-of-network doctors, of course....