Aviation-related medical fees, etc...

complexintentions · Post by **complexintentions** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:29 am

Medicare is supposed to ensure your access to health care - not pay for a professional licensing requirement. It is not a doctor "opting out of the fee system", it is the government defining their mandate - and paying for medicals is not it. They will not cover a medical for a driver's license, university application, or other professional field either.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 6:52 am

Yeah, the medicare system is there to provide universal coverage for what are deemed to be medically recommended/necessary services and procedures. While there's some argument over what should be in or out of that coverage, purely optional items such as aviation medicals (it's optional because you have the choice to be a pilot or not), aren't covered.

just another pilot · Post by **just another pilot** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 2:53 pm

I agree with medical doctors asking for a fee - they provide a service. (not coverd by medicare) The question I ask agian and again is; why TC charges an additional fee and why they (non medical personal) determine when I should be examined? Isn't that why I/you pay a doctor?

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:41 pm

just another pilot wrote:I agree with medical doctors asking for a fee - they provide a service. (not coverd by medicare) The question I ask agian and again is; why TC charges an additional fee and why they (non medical personal) determine when I should be examined? Isn't that why I/you pay a doctor?

For what exam does TC charge a fee? I did the Cat 3 and the $100 for it was charged by and went directly to the doctor himself.

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 9:07 pm

Just wait for it TorontoGuy. It's $55 and you have to pay it every time you renew your medical. Every year the doctor just stamps the back of the medical certificate. Somehow TC gets away with charging their fee as well. For $55, I'd like to see the Minister of Transport himself give my medical certificate a golden stamp. But instead I get a plain old stamp from the doctor, and TC has nothing to do with it.

TorontoGuy · Post by **TorontoGuy** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:06 am

dangerous wrote:Just wait for it TorontoGuy. It's $55 and you have to pay it every time you renew your medical. Every year the doctor just stamps the back of the medical certificate. Somehow TC gets away with charging their fee as well. For $55, I'd like to see the Minister of Transport himself give my medical certificate a golden stamp. But instead I get a plain old stamp from the doctor, and TC has nothing to do with it.

So, if you're commercial, it's $110 a year. Nice. I'm sure a lot of employers don't cover that as part of your employment contract, either.

niss · Post by **niss** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 7:35 am

when i got my cat 1 i think the 10 tc fee was added to the cost right there.

I never saw a bill from tc, just my medical ticket.

wrenchingirl · Post by **wrenchingirl** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:00 am

There is a seperate TC bill. If you dont pay it, they will take it off your tax return.

just another pilot · Post by **just another pilot** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:06 am

For the Cat 1, it is Dr. fee + 55$ TC fee. Add the costs of ECG's over the age of 35. Now multiply it *2 over 40 years of age. If you possess a PPL, it is only every five years. (not sure over 40) The fee is to pay for the AIP - which every pilot in Canada has no right to refuse subscription. Therefore, unemployed commercial pilots get to supplement private owners via TC. And nowadays, must employed pilots get to supplement pilots via TC too.
In the end, it is a real nickel and dime game for General Revenue, but it ends up costing a pilot plenty at this end. Im not a vetran pilot by any means, but in the 16 years I've been flying - I'm astounded at the reduction of services and the increase in fees.

dangerous · Post by **dangerous** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:13 pm

So the $55 fee went to pay for the AIP right? OK I'll buy that. I don't know if the AIP supplements are worth $55, but at least you're getting something in return. Now, if I remember correctly, we will have to pay for each copy of the AIM, right? I'm no genius, but shouldn't the annual fee drop if we're not getting something in return?

charlie_g · Post by **charlie_g** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 4:04 pm

just another pilot wrote:In the end, it is a real nickel and dime game for General Revenue, but it ends up costing a pilot plenty at this end. Im not a vetran pilot by any means, but in the 16 years I've been flying - I'm astounded at the reduction of services and the increase in fees.

Indeed. Ever wonder how many other nickel/dime things like this have developed over the time frame you mentioned? Every government department must have dozens of similar examples.

On the other hand, what has happened to the federal deficit since the early 1990's? It has disappeared and turned into a surplus several years running, depending on whose accounting you believe. Coincidence? Or is it a matter of living within our means, which means higher fees and less service in return?

just another pilot · Post by **just another pilot** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:36 pm

"Dont mind my finger...however, when you feel the fist, that's Transport."