Comments on: The Best and Cheapest Doctor I Ever Visited Was in the USA

By: Nora

Nora — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 20:56:30 +0000

In reply to Paula. Hi Paula, Unfortunately this doctor (or rather, PA) is no longer in practice. Sorry!

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 04:12:56 +0000

Hi Nora, I am looking for a doctor with the characteristics that you described: caring!!! Would you happen to have the name of the Dr. that you saw in Florida? Thank you! Paula

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:19:48 +0000

@Alex – Gee…I guess in Central America you can bargain for just about anything! Can you do the same with doctors in Asia, I wonder?

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 17 May 2012 02:32:58 +0000

The Red Cross is amazing if you ever need medical help in an area abroad where they serve! I got my finger set and splinted (and pain medication) for just $5 in Guatemala. When I developed a strange, quickly spreading rash on my feet and legs, they diagnosed it and gave me medicine for free in Tikal, Guatemala.

I broke my toe and needed to see a doctor in Nicaragua. I couldn’t find a branch of the Red Cross, and ended up going to a small, privately run doctor’s office in Granada. That was definitely not a fun experience! He pulled my toe backwards and forwards, to the side, and then pushed in straight in. Since I wasn’t screaming in pain, he diagnosed it as not being broken. Apparently heavy bruising and the fact that my toe was sticking out at a strange angle was not enough evidence for him. On top of it all, he charged me $15! Clearly, some doctors are better than others….

One plus side of doctors visits in Central America is that you can often bargain with them if you patronize independently run doctors’ offices. My friend has asthma, and she had a bad asthma attack in Mexico. A doctor had to make a house call to our hotel, and we were able to talk him into charging half price.

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:21:34 +0000

@Lana – I too, found Thailand to be quite good on getting cheap (good) medical assistance. A friend of mine had a few dozen infected ant bites on his feet, walked into a pharmacy, and received medication that would have required a prescription in North America….all for a few dollars out of pocket.

By: Lana

Lana — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 15:52:34 +0000

How about Thailand? I busted my chin up and gashed my leg a bit on a motorbike accident. walked out for 600 baht, which is less than $25.

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:10:09 +0000

@Laura – Thanks for the feedback, and those are great tips! Cheers.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 04:24:53 +0000

Yes planned parenthood is good for birth control and a annual visit. I go there sometimes because it takes FOREVER to get into my doctor for those.

However, I have not had a single problems with medical issues in the US being ridiculous. I have insurance but since at one point it was a high deductible plan, I would also ask what the cost was without insurance. Most of the time you get a lower price and you can still apply it to your deductible. Also sometimes if I go out of network I file the claim myself and ask for the uninsured price (my psychotherapist was giving me a price half of his normal price).

One good thing to know is where the cheapest places are with best care around you so if you get into an emergency you are not charged an arm and a leg. And I ALWAYS say no to pain pills and extra drugs that I do not want, why pay for them? Always ask for generics and I think WalMart and Publix have low cost or free prescription, find out what those are and ask for those. Always ask about new patient procedures and costs before you go. Many pharmacies in US now have a nurse practitioner for small things and are less than $100 for just the visit I think.

However, i have never not waited hours to see a doctor.

By: theprofessionalhobo

theprofessionalhobo — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:45:02 +0000

@Erica & @Elena – I’ve heard that at all costs, staying away from Urgent Care is imperative in the States. If at all manageable, it’s more cost-effective to visit a doctor.

I also found this to be the case in Australia (as @Deborah might attest to); when I had the spider bites, the Emergency Room of the local hospital said I’d pay $400 just to see a doctor, and more money yet for their consultation and prescriptions. The walk-in clinic down the street charged me less than $100.

@Deborah – I also had a very expensive trip to the dentist in Australia. Then again, really and truly – the cost of living in general in Oz is among the highest I’ve experienced…including many places in Europe which are cheaper.

@Elena – You make a good point about visiting a women’s centre/family planning centre for BC pills etc. They’re usually quite cost-effective to visit, and they look out for your wallet in prescribing as well.

By: elena

elena — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 20:19:51 +0000

Nora, I am glad you had such a good experience in the US. It is not typical, sadly–but there are some wonderful doctors in this country who take the Hippocratic Oath seriously and do their best to help people. A more typical experience–insurance less me almost accidentally steps on cat. Cat retaliates by biting big toe and refusing to let go. Several hours later, reluctantly drag myself into Urgent Care (that’s the E-room for suburban folks) FOUR HOURS LATER, doctor walks in, glances at football sized, red, pus oozing foot, says “yep that’s infected” (^&*&^*^%*%!) and charges me $400. PLus $180 for antibiotics and six doses of Vicadin. I only used one half of one dose of the Vicadin, because it made me hallucinate fire breathing dragons (not joking). That was one and a half weeks salary down the drain.
But there are PAs, nurse practitioner’s and MDs who understand that the option is die slowly of infection or get evicted for non payment of rent–and they really do try. Sounds like you ran across one of those. FYI –BC pills are hugely expensive here. If you are stuck, go to a women’s clinic. Because its expensive, often not covered by insurance and really necessary, DRs at these clinics will often reach into their desk drawers, haul out a few samples from the drug companies and stuff em in your purse. This has happened to me twice.