Hospital Aleman...ER Wait Time?

[LAtoBA]

Hello,

Has anyone ever been to the emergency room at Hospital Aleman? I've had a flu like kind of thing going on since Monday and I'm debating whether to wait it out another day or two before I go see a doctor. The ER wait time at this particular hospital will really help in my decision.

First, is this a good hospital? My insurance has a guarantee of payment agreement with them so that's where I can go see a doctor without paying out of pocket.

Second, is the ER wait time/process like it is in the US, i.e., 4-8 hours? In my case "flu like" symptoms would be at the bottom of the list unless I had a very high fever, which I do not.

Thank you for the responses in advance.

 

[SaraSara]

In January I was at the Aleman's outpatient clinic with a back-spasm - waited about fifteen minutes to be seen, and was out in an hour, x-rays and all. It is a good hospital - perhaps not the best diagnosticians but fine for everyday things. Modern building, easy to get to, and very well-organized. I heartily recommend it for everyday ailments like the flu. In your case, forgetting about copayments and reinbursements is a big plus.

For serious ailments, I think the Hospital Italiano is the best. Less fashionable neighborhood, and an aging physical plant, but the best physicians and cutting-edge technology.

After being checked at the Hospital Aleman I asked for a referral to BA's top spinal specialists - both were at the Italiano.

 

[LAtoBA]

In January I was at the Aleman's outpatient clinic with a back-spasm - waited about fifteen minutes to be seen, and was out in an hour, x-rays and all. It is a good hospital - perhaps not the best diagnosticians but fine for everyday things. Modern building, easy to get to, and very well-organized. I heartily recommend it for everyday ailments like the flu. In your case, forgetting about copayments and reinbursements is a big plus.

For serious ailments, I think the Hospital Italiano is the best. Less fashionable neighborhood, and an aging physical plant, but the best physicians and cutting-edge technology.

After being checked at the Hospital Aleman I asked for a referral to BA's top spinal specialists - both were at the Italiano.

Hi Sara,

Okay quick question. I was on the phone with the operator there and she told me that I could to the "guardia", which I understood as the ER. Is that the same as the out patient clinic? Or is that separate? Maybe I need to call my insurance again cause I don't know if they meant the ER or perhaps the outpatient clinic.......or if its the same?! Anyway on a brighter note I'm feeling slightly better and haven't had fever since midnight today.

 

[SaraSara]

Sorry, I should have thought of that. After hours La Guardia works both as ER and outpatient clinic.

It's the service that remains open outside normal business hours. That's where you go on weekends or in the middle of the night. Large hospitals keep full guardias, staffed with different specialists.

 

[igor]

Okay quick question. I was on the phone with the operator there and she told me that I could to the "guardia", which I understood as the ER. Is that the same as the out patient clinic? Or is that separate? Maybe I need to call my insurance again ...

They just keep a doctor on duty 24/7. La Guardia has a separate entrance from calle Beruti. I believe sign on the street does say Emergencia.

You make it sound more complicated than it really is. Just talk to reception and tell them that you need to see a doctor. They will ask you whether you have an insurance and if not they will charge you may be 150 pesos upfront.

I don't think you will have to wait more than 30 minutes. Here is a list of foreign insurances they accept.

If you are afraid that you will have to pay 2,000 bucks just for crossing doorstep because it is called ER, it is not the case.

 

[nikad]

At Hospital Aleman´s guardia for a flu you should be done in an hour hour and a half tops. It is a very good medical facility and highly reputable, the entrance for guardia is on Beruti between Ecuador and Pueyrredon.

 

[SaraSara]

Back in January I paid less than two hundred pesos for the office visit and two x-rays. I was out in a little over an hour.

There's also an emergency dental service. A good hospital, all around.

 

[Christy Caldwell]

Hello! I heartily recommend the ER at Aleman...broke my ankle in april and was seen very quickly, efficiently and (for me) cheaply... cost 300 pesos (I don't have insurance). The only catch was it was 10:30 Sunday night and they didn't have any crutches so had to go to Ortopedia Catalan the next day and get them and a plastic boot. When I asked the DR how I could manage hes said "jump" and I'm sure they enjoyed watching me hop around like a frog...Christy

 

[LAtoBA]

They just keep a doctor on duty 24/7. La Guardia has a separate entrance from calle Beruti. I believe sign on the street does say Emergencia.

You make it sound more complicated than it really is. Just talk to reception and tell them that you need to see a doctor. They will ask you whether you have an insurance and if not they will charge you may be 150 pesos upfront.

I don't think you will have to wait more than 30 minutes. Here is a list of foreign insurances they accept.

If you are afraid that you will have to pay 2,000 bucks just for crossing doorstep because it is called ER, it is not the case.

Hi Igor,

Nope wasn't afraid of paying, let alone 2,000 bucks for a doctor seeing me for the bout of the flu in argentina.....was just confused. Sara has since clarified that for me.

 

[SaraSara]

Back in January I paid less than two hundred pesos for the office visit and two x-rays.

I got curious and looked for my bill - actually it was 126 pesos.