I had my first experience with the French health care system the other day, and I do have to say it was the most enjoyable doctor experience I have ever had.
. I had no waiting time, my appointment was at 4:30, so the doctor SAW me at 4:30, none of this wait around for an extra hour business like in the US.
. Insurance or not, it is a flat 22 euro fee, I can be reimbursed by my insurance for that 22 euros at a later time.
. It was very quick and efficient, no silly nurse lady came in to take my vitals first, and then 20 mins later the doctor showed up. He did everything himself in 2 mins.
. No other random non-medical personnel taking up office space, or silly papers to fill out.
. He prescribed me 3 things: cough syrup, nose spray, and ear drops, which all totaled out to 7 euros.
Other reasons why their health care system rules:
.The sicker you are the less you have to pay and the more treatment you are able to receive. The US seems to have this bit backwards. If you at one time had cancer or some sort of other illness, an insurance company is LESS likely to cover you...that's wack. And if you HAVE cancer, forget about an insurance company covering you even a little bit. Even then, the likelihood that they will pay for all the treatments necessary for you to recover is slim.
. You can choose your physician
. No waiting lists for elective procedures
Now, this may sound like a dream, but there are downsides.
. This system is frequently abused. General Practitioners over prescribed medications to an unnecessary extent, which just cost the government and people more money. People can also swindle their doctors into giving them ungodly amounts of medical leave (the french have unlimited PAID sick days). I heard of a case where a man asked his doctor friend to write him 2 months sick leave so he could start up a business, while he still got paid sick leave from his other job.
.There is a growing healthcare deficit, and this kind of abuse is just making it worse.
. The French do have to pay a hefty amount of taxes, but the funny thing is, none of them really care. That's one big difference between America and France; in America it's all about individual advancement, but in France it's how one can be part of the system. Silly socialists.
but really, if that's the worst you can say about the system......
WHO, ranked the French Healthcare system #1 in the world in 2001, and it is often referred to as "the model healthcare system". I think there is definitely a little something to be learned here. Here is a link to an article about the system, that does a good job describing my exprience with the system in a more educated, informative way Model Healthcare.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You must know that this post gives me delight without end, dear niece. Unfortunately, I'm afraid your parents may try to have you de-programmed upon your return to the states.
Hope you are feeling better now!
We've all been sick here for the past week and I just got a prescription today for some awesome cough syrup, for $35, which is the price AFTER my insurance paid its part. That's on top of my $15 doctor visit copay (which is pretty low because I went to an "in network" doctor at a minor emergency clinic). I dealt with 4 staff people other than the doctor during the visit: check-in & medical history lady; billing clerk - you pay before the doc will see you; med assistant for weight, temp, & BP check; LVN for throat swab and injection after doc talked to me for 5 mins and looked at my swollen tonsils). Bills for my portion of the lab tests (probably around $20 or so) will show up by mail in a few weeks. Total visit time: 2 hrs plus 45 more minutes to drive to pharmacy, turn in scrip, and wait to receive my cough medicine. Good thing I had someone at home to watch my toddler while I went on this odyssey! And, there will still be about an hour of paper work to do in the end for me to try to get reimbursed from my health savings account for the out-of-pocket expenses. GRRRR!!!
Post a Comment