There are some hidden rules in China, for example, it is best to send a red envelope when undergoing surgery, doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists, not one can be missing. After immigrating to the U.S., this kind of hidden rule is almost unheard of. But in U.S. life, there are also some "hidden rules" for seeing a doctor:
English says "see a doctor", Chinese says "see a doctor", which is basically synonymous. However, the difference in the doctor-patient relationship between China and the U.S. is still quite huge. There are some hidden rules in China, for example, it is best to send a red envelope when undergoing surgery, doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists, not one can be missing. Doctors are not necessarily "pampered". Once a patient is dissatisfied, "smashing hospitals and beating doctors" seems to be a "hidden rule". In the United States, this kind of hidden rule is almost unheard of. Red envelopes are absolutely unnecessary, and "beating and smashing" will definitely lead to jail. But in the United States, there are also some "hidden rules" for seeing a doctor.
1. You must have your own family doctor
In the United States, people with medical insurance must choose a family doctor, called a family doctor, or family physician. This family doctor is responsible for all medical and health issues for you and your family. When I first arrived in the United States, there was a family doctor clinic near the university. The brochure introduced that ear, nose, throat, eye, heart disease, urology, gynecology, arthritis, everything is seen. I thought, Americans really dare to blow, like the "old Chinese doctor" who "cures all diseases" on the utility pole in China. Later, I learned that family doctors really know everything. American doctors can be roughly divided into two categories, one is a specialist, specializing in treating one particular organ or disease; the other is a general practitioner, uniquely trained to care for you as a whole person. Family doctors belong to general practitioners.
American family doctors are all self-employed and run their own clinics independently. In the United States, it is required that you must see your own family doctor first for medical treatment. Whether it is a headache, fever, back pain, or insomnia and anorexia, etc., you must go to the family doctor first. Family doctors treat every organ, every disease, all ages, and both genders of all ages. In general, problems can be solved at the family doctor's place.
It sounds like China's "barefoot doctor" or health station doctor. However, American family doctors must obtain a medical doctorate degree, go through a 3-year residency period in family medicine, and pass a variety of cruel exams before they can practice medicine. The level is sufficient to serve as a private health doctor for domestic senior officials. Family doctors are fully capable of solving various common medical and health problems. If the family doctor thinks it is necessary, they will transfer you to the hospital to see a specialist. If you "act on your own" and run straight to the hospital or specialist clinic, you will be rejected.
In addition, even if the patient is very clear about which specialist doctor to see, it must be transferred by the family doctor. Otherwise, the insurance company will refuse to pay.
2. You must make an appointment to see a doctor every time
People working in U.S. government departments or formal companies know that they cannot make personal calls at work. However, making an appointment with a doctor is an exception. American family doctors only see about a dozen patients a day. So you must make an appointment and must not be late. Usually 10 minutes in advance, because you still have to fill out some forms. The advantage of an appointment is that it ensures that the doctor has enough time to carefully and seriously see the disease for you, amiable and friendly, like friends and relatives. Otherwise, patients queue up, doctors are upset, and they may send you away in one or two minutes, "next!" Appointments limit the number of patients doctors see a day, so it is impossible for the hospital to be "shoulder-to-shoulder" like a vegetable market. An appointment is like booking a taxi, with a guarantee and a seat. If you don't book a bus, you may not be able to squeeze on, or squeeze into a foul sweat. The quality of service is definitely different. The disadvantage of an appointment is that you have to wait, three, five days, or one or two weeks are normal. If it is a common cold, a week can be healed. Therefore, if you feel something is wrong, you must make an appointment to see a doctor early. If you have a high fever in the middle of the night, your arm is broken, you have a myocardial infarction, etc., of course you don't need an appointment, you can be directly sent to the emergency room by relatives and friends, or call 911.
3. See the doctor first, pay later
Of course, when seeing a doctor, the hospital has already registered some of your important information: name, address, medical insurance company name, social security number, etc. See the doctor first, and then send the bill to you. Hospitalization and emergency are both like this. Especially in an emergency, it is definitely first aid. The U.S. federal law EMTALA stipulates: regardless of citizenship, legal status, or ability to pay, you must first diagnose and rescue. About three or four weeks later, bills start to arrive one after another. Saying "one after another" is because there is more than one bill. Naturally, the doctor who sees the patient has a bill. Laboratory tests, X-rays, CTs, as long as they are checked, there are bills, and doctors who don't see the patient directly will also give you bills, such as doctors who read films. There is also "rent" - the cost of using a hospital room or emergency room. In addition, eating in the hospital is also counted. Adding them up, thousands or even tens of thousands is very normal. For those with insurance, the insurance company will pay the large share, and you pay the small share. Companies with good benefits will even pay for the small share for you. If you don't have insurance, you have to pay out of your own pocket. Will it be miserable? Usually not, because there is a fourth "hidden rule".
4. Medical bills can be reduced or exempted
One way is local government. The U.S. federal government has an official website "answers.usa" that provides convenient services. It is easy to find "Help with Medical Bills" content, which contains introductions and links to many institutions. For example: every state has a State Medicaid Office. "Medicaid" is medical insurance provided by the government to help people who cannot afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills. Every state also has special Children's Health Insurance Programs, providing children with medical insurance until they are 19 years old.
Way two, Charitable organizations. Americans love to donate. Charitable organizations save both emergency and poverty. They are willing to help others and lend a helping hand to those who cannot afford medical bills.
Of course, to take the above two ways, there must be certain qualifications, that is, low income, and no savings in the bank, such as only 2,000 dollars.
If you are not qualified, you have to grit your teeth and pay the bill. However, wait, there is another hidden rule, very concise, that is to bargain with the hospital. Call the hospital's billing department and say, give me a 50% discount and I will pay immediately. Usually, it can be concluded. The discount is about 50% to 30%, which is also a hidden rule.