Seeing A Doctor Without Having Insurance

[sab15]

Hi,

My medical insurance will start on July 1st but I really would like to see a doctor about something before that. I heard Hospital Fernandez is a good public hospital to go to, but I was told by reception today that I should come back like at 5am and line up for a turno. Are there non-hospitals or clinics that offer free medicine where it's not so onerous of a task to get an appointment.

Also, what about just paying out of pocket at a private doctor's office. How much might the office visit cost? Also, when going to a private doctor and then having blood tests done through them, can the blood tests be covered by the government? If not, any ideas what are the costs of a regular battery of blood labs?

Thanks a lot in advance.

SB

 

[Rich One]

A Private Specialist Doctor Visit at the Hospital Italiano or Hospital Aleman run about $220 pesos. May 2013

A battery of blood tests can run $300 to $500 at private clinic, if it includes PSA and hormone tests...?

As an alternative go to the emergency room at Hospital de Clinicas late at night, claim its urgent, must pay a bonus of $20 pesos.

Or go to the Country like Mercedes, in Provincia de Buenos Aires, to the Public Hospital and get free inmediate attention.

 

[Alicia karr]

Things work entirely differently here. Doctors don't do blood tests. But you can certainly pay to see them and they charge about 300-400pesos a visit. They give you a prescription for your blood work which you then take wherever you want or can. Just like everywhere else in the world, doctors each have specialties, and general practitioners would be called Medica Clinica here. You can also get many "prescription" drugs without prescriptions here. And doctors will even make home visits! Just make sure you know the spanish name for the specialty you might need. I'm sure many on the site can reccomend doctors in various specialties that they've used. You can also PM me regarding specialists as I've got an OSDE guide of doctors in various specialties, and have ad personal experience with about 8 types of specialtys. Health care is excellent here. Ive had two hospitalizations and minor surgeries and found the experiences in the hospitals and with the physicians themslves generally superior to those in the US! Good luck and take care of yourself!

 

[kerriem]

Does anyone know of any doctors in the Palermo area?

 

[arlean]

I want to add that I am very happy with the medical care here. I'm in good health, but I do have an ophthalmologist and also have been to a dermatologist and I think they're wonderful. I was taken once to the public hospital Fernandez by a neighbor after a fall wherein they thought my arm was broken (it wasn't). It's pretty bare bones, but I was duly impressed by the treatment. In that case the wait was brief, but it can be long as I hear. Normally I go to my own doctor but I was hustled off there at that time and glad I got to see how the free hospital works as well. I have seen U. S. people have a heart attack or something and go back to the U.S. for treatment. I would never do that. I'd rather be here.

One thing I like about here, the doctors treat me as if I have good sense. They tell me what they recommend and then ask ME what I want to do. Since I do usually have opinions, naturally that appeals to me. I just like it! what more can I say I'm on the same page with lacoqueta.

Normally I pay my own doctors out of pocket and I don't find it real expensive. I even had my teeth cleaned lately for less than $25 US equivalent. Would have cost me over $100 at my dentist where I'm from.