My Doctors Visit in New Zealand

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:49 pm

I had to visit a local doctor here in the village of Mapua, New Zealand last Monday for a cut on my forearm. It was a nice clinic staffed with three docs in General Practice that rotate the days that they are available. My doc Wood was a pleasant female that knew the doctor that I had visited in Christchurch two years ago. We spent 15 minutes together and she fixed my forearm up just fine.

Had I been a visiting Austrailan or a resident, the office visit would have cost me $31 NZD ($21.70 USD) instead I had to pay $72.00 NZD ($50.40 USD), still a bargain. I will keep the receipt and get reimbursed from my Supplemental US Heath Care Provider. Although I am old enough for Medicare, they do not pay outside the U.S. Several years ago I had my left knee operated on to remove torn cartilage. The surgery was performed by a very competent Orthopaedic Surgeon at about half the cost of what it would have cost in the USA. I paid for it with my Visa and was reimbursed when I got back to the U.S. by my private insurance carrier. I mention these two incidents (and there are others) not to critizize or compare NZ and US health systems. Bear in mind that a country of only 4 million people can and does operate a bit differently. One thing I have discovered in my travels is that there are always people complaining about their health care no matter what form it takes. The U.S. will undoubtedly have a major health care change at some point and there will be good things and bad things about it and you can bet your sweet a-- that there will be praise and complaints. Such is life.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 5:58 pm

It'd be free here Lon.

Glad your fine and dandy now Lonnie.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:26 pm

oscar;1298224 wrote: It'd be free here Lon.

Glad your fine and dandy now Lonnie.

Free....it's not

Free.... at source it is......

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:51 pm

Bruv;1298227 wrote: Free....it's not

Free.... at source it is...... If you have worked and paid tax and NI stamp all your life, then, No, It's not free, but you knowas well as I do... If you have never worked a day In your life... It's free.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Mar 21, 2010 7:16 am

oscar;1298264 wrote: If you have worked and paid tax and NI stamp all your life, then, No, It's not free, but you know as well as I do... If you have never worked a day In your life... It's free.

I repeat....

Free....it's not

Free.... at source it is

You get owt for nowt.............somebody pays.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:27 pm

Lon;1298221 wrote: I had to visit a local doctor here in the village of Mapua, New Zealand

I wish I had a dollar for every time Ive had to do that.