Tag: healthcare costs

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SAVING MONEY TORONTO: FOLLOWING YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

saving money toronto
saving money toronto

Saving money Toronto: Introduction

I can see some of you scratching your heads right now. You are wondering how in the world following your doctor’s orders can save you money; but it really can saving money Toronto. Even in Canada where we have Universal Healthcare, it does not cover 100% of all prescription medication. This unfortunately can lead to non-compliance which can be very costly and even deadly.

Saving money Toronto: Don’t put yourself at risk

“People put themselves at risk,” warns LIUNA General Secretary Treasurer and LHSFNA Labor Co-Chairman Armand E. Sabitoni, “when they are prescribed a medication that they choose not to take, do not take as directed, do not finish or just plain forget to take at all.”. Three out of every four Americans do not take their medication as directed. Every year in the United States and Canada, it leads to thousands of deaths and billions of dollars unnecessarily spent on health care.

Saving money Toronto: Why aren’t we taking our medications as prescribed?

  1. Cost: Even in Canada, coverage by our Universal Healthcare for the costs of prescription drugs is not always 100%. Some medications can be extremely expensive.
  2. Quick response to treatment: After a few days on the medication, the patient feels great and stops taking the medicine instead of completing the course of treatment.
  3. Side effects: The patient feels worse from the side effects than from the illness.

Saving money Toronto: Why should you always take your medication as directed?

“These choices are counterproductive,” Sabitoni stresses. “Taking medication as directed saves you money, keeps you healthier and helps you live a longer life. Never cut corners with your medicines. That’s one of the most important decisions you will ever make.” Following doctor’s orders will keep you healthy and save you money!

Saving money Toronto: What if you can’t afford to follow your Doctor’s orders?

If you’re not taking your medication because the cost causes you more pain than your illness, you need professional help and you need it now! Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. understands financial pain and can help you solve your financial problems and get you back on track to debt free living Starting Over, Starting Now. Call the Ira Smith Team today so that we can end your pain and you won’t have to worry about paying for prescription medication again. Don’t delay. Give us a call today!

saving money toronto
saving money toronto
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Brandon Blog Post

SAVING FOR RETIREMENT IN CANADA: THERE’S NO EQUALITY OF THE SEXES

saving for retirmentSaving for retirement in Canada: Introduction

Ladies, I’m sorry to say that there’s no equality of the sexes when it comes to saving for retirement in Canada. The truth is that women need to save more for retirement than men. That may sound like an unfair, sexist comment but it’s a financial reality and here are four reasons why.

Saving for retirement in Canada: Why do women need to save more than men for retirement?

  1. Women outlive men on average by four years according to Statistics Canada. This means that women have to fund an extra four years of retirement Typically the older we get the more healthcare costs we incur including the high costs of some prescription drugs and in some cases, assisted living.
  2. Women earn less than men. As shocking as it seems, a woman working full-time in Canada makes 73.5 cents for every dollar a man makes, according to updated Statistics Canada income data produced for The Globe and Mail in 2016.
  3. In addition they report that these numbers are even lower for Indigenous and women of colour. On a global scale, the gender pay gap in Canada is more than twice the global average, according to research firm Catalyst Canadam. The Canadian pay gap is on average $8,000, while globally it’s at $4,000.
  4. Many women take time out of the workforce. Women on average work 28 years in their lifetime as compared to men who work 38, according to Diane Garnick, Chief Income Strategist at TIAA. Typically it’s women who take time out to raise kids or take care of elderly parents. These 10 fewer years of income really impacts retirement savings and pensions..
  5. Women get less in pensions than men. Lower earnings coupled with less time in the workforce many times equates with less pension.3bestaward

Saving for retirement in Canada: Unfortunately your dream of retirement may be just that – a dream

Many seniors saddled with so much debt that they’ve been forced to put off retirement or continue to work at least part-time. Are you a senior who is drowning in debt? Call Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. for a lifeline. We can help you get out of debt, get back on track and looking forward to retirement Starting Over, Starting Now.

 

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Brandon Blog Post

SERIOUS ILLNESS AND MEDICAL DEBT CAN RUIN YOU FINANCIALLY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER

bankruptcy, file bankruptcy, medical debt, healthcare costs, credit card debt, group insurance, personal insurance, trustee, bankruptcy faqs, bankruptcy trustee, bankruptcyIn Canada we wrap ourselves in a blanket of socialized healthcare and believe that our provincial medical plans will protect us from financial ruin. People are unaware that serious illness and medical debt can ruin you financially on both sides of the Border. We feel immune from the financial disaster that afflicts many Americans who experience a serious illness. We are bombarded in the news about the financial devastation that many Americans are going through with very little commentary about how Canadians are affected. According to the National Debt Relief Organization in the U.S.:

  • 1.7 million Americans will be forced to file bankruptcy due to medical debt.
  • Over 11 million Americans will burden themselves with more credit card debt to cover their healthcare costs.
  • 56 million Americans will struggle with healthcare related bills.

As Canadians are we immune from the financial devastation of a serious illness? The answer is NO! According to Sun Life Financial:

  • Nearly half of Canadians facing a major health incident like cancer or a stroke are struggling financially as a result of their illnesses.
  • 40% of those surveyed earlier this year reported feeling financially strapped after a serious health event or diagnosis, while 53% of 45 to 54 year olds have been hit hard by unforeseen healthcare costs.
  • Only 13% had money set aside for uncovered healthcare costs.
  • Too many Canadians underestimate out-of-pocket health costs, especially when it comes to prescription drugs.
  • Over the past 12 months Canadians spent an average of $1,354 on medical or healthcare products and additional services; but few set aside money to cover health costs, with more than 81% putting nothing aside.
  • 20% had no group insurance, personal insurance or health expense savings to help absorb the shock.
  • 22% turned to credit cards or personal lines of credit, another 22% tapped into personal savings, 12% borrowed from a loved one and 5% were forced to either remortgage or sell their home.

Are you facing financial ruin as a result of a serious illness? Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. as soon as possible. Also do some self-study using our You can do some self-study by checking out our bankruptcy faqs. We can help you get back on your feet financially and let you concentrate your efforts on getting well.

Call a Trustee Now!