Blown away by European doctors visit cost
Chicken thighs, potatoes and veggies all cooked in my fancy new air fryerrrrrr
About two months ago, me and my husband made the leap and moved to Germany. I personally am a German citizen and grew up here but spent the last 18 years living in the US.
Last summer, I tested positive for HPV and was told I needed to make sure I get an annual Pap smear done. I found a gynecologist here in the town I live in and scheduled an appointment for today.
I went to the appointment as a new patient but also, self paying so I was prepared to pay a couple hundred euros out of pocket. When I had testing and exams done last year at PP, I paid about $500 out of pocket so that was an experience I was expecting again.
I’m speaking to the doctor and we talk about my family history of breast cancer. He asked if I ever had a breast ultrasound done before and I said no. He recommended I consider doing one. Not pushy at all, but just as a precaution. I do have really bad health anxiety and decided to do a breast ultrasound and a vaginal ultrasound because why not, I’m already there in addition to my Pap smear.
My appointment takes about an hour with two ultrasounds and a Pap smear. I go to the receptionist and am preparing to pay. She hands me the bill and I almost shat myself right then and there when I saw the number owed: €220. (Exchange is about $255). I literally had to ask her if she had everything correct on the bill. She was visibly confused and was like “yes? That’s correct”
me: 👁️👄👁️ “OH, okay then..”
I left the doctor’s office and just stood outside for a few minutes, in shock. I could not believe that was ALL that was. Living in the US for the last 18 years, accessible and affordable health care has always felt so out of reach. For my husband to add me to his insurance through his job, it was going to be $900 a month. NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH. So I just didn’t have health insurance in the US.
Idk, I’m just flabbergasted about this experience and angry that this IS a possibility for healthcare to be affordable and accessible, even for those who are self paying when it’s not treated like a money making scam. It’s been a few hours since my appointment and I’m still just..trying to wrap my head around it.