Shortly after Mira was born I received a bill for one of the visits we had with our Pediatrician. I still remember the feelings I had opening that piece of mail- shock, dismay, fear, and annoyance. How on earth could a 20 minute well baby visit cost $750.00? Even though I knew it must be a mistake that I was being billed for this, it was still disconcerting to receive a bill of that size. It was a mistake thankfully (not the amount mind you) and my insurance covered the cost.
The memory of this bill was triggered when I visited the Pediatrician here in South Africa for Mira's 18 month well baby visit. Shortly after we arrived three months ago I established a doctor for the kids based on recommendations from my fellow American expat friends. If you read the title of this post you already know that a doctor visit here is significantly less expensive than in America (and no $40 was not the copay it was for the entire bill including her vaccinations) but here are a few other noticeable differences.
Availability- It is very easy to get an appointment with your specific provider. When I called for an appointment, they were wide open and offered me appointment times that day as well as other options that week. I can only assume this has something to do with the fact that only 10 percent of the population has medical insurance. Everyone else is uninsured. If you are uninsured you can go to the doctor and self pay or go to a public hospital for free.
Office Environment- The doctor's exam table and medical equipment is in their office. What this means is that you first sit across from the doctor at their desk and have a conversation, then move over to the exam table and then back to the desk area to talk some more. The doctor does pretty much everything so you are not seeing multiple staff members. There is not a medical assistant and nurse taking vitals or asking you questions before you see the doctor. Also you are not sitting in an exam room alone for 20 min before the doctor comes in. You enter and leave the office/exam room at the same time as the doctor. Clearly this system works for them because they are most likely seeing fewer patients in a day than American doctors. From a patient perspective its very nice to only work with your physician and not feel rushed during the visit.
