When a metal ladder fell and hit Somayeh Ahmadiseddigh in the head at work earlier this month, she was dizzy, nauseous and had trouble standing up.
A colleague drove her to the hospital in Quebec City, but when she arrived, she was told it would cost $1,200 to see a doctor because she did not have a provincial health-care card.
Although she had private insurance, the hospital receptionist said she’d have to pay upfront and claim the cost with her insurance company later.
“I didn’t know if I would get my money back,” said Ahmadiseddigh.
She and her brother tried a few other hospitals, but got the same response. She returned home not knowing the extent of her injury.
“My brother stayed up all night beside my bed in fear that something would happen to me,” said Ahmadiseddigh.
The following day, she paid $250 to be seen at a walk-in …