Love-Hate

I have been experiencing the joys, or not, of the U.S. medical system recently. It's very easy as a British person to feel smug about the NHS (i.e. it being basically free) even though we all have horror stories of our own to tell about waiting lists, or the sheer monstrous difficulty it is to get an appointment at the GP's office (both of which sort of apply to me). So I was trying to go into this with open eyes, is my point.

First, I went to the health centre at school, which I have discussed. That was good, what with it supplying referrals and all.

Last week I went to the orthopaedic guy (knee specialist) who sorted me out with exercises, a referral to physio, and instructions to buy orthotics and new shoes, which I have obeyed to the letter. The thing is, while sitting there, I was utterly terrified. Terrified. Rather than being impressed by the shiny offices, I just sat there being petrified about how much this was going to cost. And this is WITH insurance. Even though they accept mine. It was horrible. And now I'm waiting for my bill, wondering how much it's going to be.

This is particularly heightened because this morning I followed up on my other referral - to the dermatologist. For a brief, half hour period, I experienced the elation that the U.S. system can bring - she removed my mole without demur, there and then (I have been trying to have it removed for FIVE YEARS but every dermatologist I saw at home, plus my GP, refused); put me on topical antibiotics for my face and prescribed retin-A. So I went to the local chemist to get that filled (first time ever in the U.S., as I excitedly exclaimed to the guy there).

And there I fell down. My insurance doesn't cover that medication. At all. Not even generic, apparently. So I could pay for it. $139.99. I presume with tax to come.

Maybe they don't let this happen for serious medical conditions, I think to myself - and then I remember a tale told to me at the weekend of a student here (foreign) who is requiring contributions from her fellows students because her insurance won't cover her operation to remove cancerous lumps from her breast.

It strikes me that, being flamingly obvious, that is not right. Spots, so what? Cancer. Hmm.

I'd like a more frivolous thing to take my mind off this, please.