Medicine time

So after one year, it was time for some routine exam. IN the last months I have been listening how difficult is to get a consult with a doctor, that mostly you have to wait 2-3 months to get an appointment. So I went to the doctor I found in the newspaper and asked for an appointment, the secretary said sorry but this doctor does not receive any more clients because she is full (wow). Called another person, and got an appointment for the next day. I am still thinking about the difference that might exist between them.

Well, I have been once to a clinic in Geneva center as an emergency. I was sick, we went to the pharmacy just to ask the medicine because I know what I should take in some cases and I understand a bit about medicine. But, as in the rest of Europe they don't do that. (I prefer Brazil, even if we go to the pharmacy you can ask anything, they give and cases of death because of this is very rare, and you still go to the doctor).

Anyway, back to the topic. This emergency was last year, I had a consult and an exam and still I payed 120 CHF for the doctor's visit. Back to the pharmacy I payed 67 CHF, 40 from the antibiotics, 17 for using the pharmacy out of the time (it was Saturday at 20h) and the rest for the validation of doctor's paper. Unbelievable no?



Ok, now back to the doctor visit last month. I went to the doc. Had all the exams and the appointment for some extra exam he asked. I left his office just after saying where I live and in which company I am assured. Wow, amazing system. How he knows I am not lying? But I want the results right? So of course they trust. 2-3 weeks after I received the result of this adventure:

1. The doctor's visit costed me 215 CHF!?!"!?? I was sad, but I heard this might be the price (anyway, more expensive than the emergency exam????how come?)

2. The extra exam he asked costed 295 CHF, a simple ultrasound!

3. the lab results costed 39 CHF. And I received the results together with the bill. The results came within a nice closed paper, folded and written with nice letters saying congratulations all results are negative! (imagine when it is written positive!)

4. I am happy my health insurance (HI) prime (franchise) is 500 CHF, because from now on I just pay 10% of everything, in most cases.

5. Now I am waiting whether HI company will accept my papers (you have to send them the bills) this way I can expect number 4 to happen for this year.

6. Basically I pay about 360 CHF per month for the HI. WHat a prrrrrrice! I think it is very expensive if you still have to pay these prices for doctors.

7. I hope none of you have to visit doctors and if you have, even if it is not a fashion here, you should ask how much is this going to cost.

Now I dont think it is healthy to do what some people do here. They choose a very high prime and never do any routine exams, now this is dangerous!

Living and learning.