primitives don't discuss Red Chinese free medical care for all

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1226942

Oh my.

Suji to Seoul  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jun-04-11 07:49 AM
Original message
 
Health Care - China Style

Okay. . .I'll begin. I am starting to examine health care here in China (because I live here) from a personal point of view.

Three days ago, my father had a minor heart attack at 12:00. At 4:00, in the hospital, he had another. At 5:00, he had a third. He is at the beginning stages of renal failure. He'll be 60 in August.

Here's how it worked.

I called 110 and the ambulance arrived. There was no insurance check (we have insurance anyway). There was no calling the insurance company. It was just "medical check and go."

He instantly got to #2 Hebei Medical University Medical Center and was plugged into every machine imaginable. Blood tests, urine tests, cultures. . .the works. I'm glad I can speak Chinese.

Once my father was stabilized, that's when the bills started. Medicine here is "here is the diagnosis, pay the clerk and we will proceed when ready." Most of Asia is pay as you go and a cash-and-carry society.

After all tests are run, the hospital determines we need to transport him to Beijing. Ambulance gets paid and off he goes.

Today, he sent his test results to the local kidney hospital. They admitted him immediately. They saw a medical emergency and worried about his ability to pay for it after he was admitted. He was not denied care because of his inability to pay.

Watching the medical services here in a hospital, few are denied, no matter the cost. Those that cannot afford the hospital use the neighborhood clinics that are partially subsidized by the local (not national) government. The urgent care facilities we call in the States.

I am now talking to the insurance company. There are no pre-existing conditions with PICC, there is no pre-approval. File the claim, provide the necessary documents and because it was all in-patient. .. PICC will reimburse 85% of the total costs of the hospital, along with 100% of the Shijiazhuang - Beijing ambulance and the local ambulance too.

Total out of pocket after the insurance = 870 yuan
Total before insurance = 5800 yuan

It's 6.5 to the dollar.

But I thought it was free for all; what's this "out of pocket" stuff?

Anyway, the primitives seem to be ignoring this campfire.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Total out of pocket after the insurance = 870 yuan
Total before insurance = 5800 yuan

It's 6.5 to the dollar.

...Figures which mean nothing without the reference point of exactly what the old fellow actually receives by way of old-age pension in the Worker's and Peasant's Paradise.

[GOBUCKS]

To a peasant in Red China, which 99.99% of all Red Chinese still are, that is an astronomical sum.
The government will offer him the option of selling a cornea or a kidney to pay it off.
And when he's finally allowed treatment, it will involve a tea made from the dried and ground up private parts of some jungle animal.

Maocare is the model for progressives everywhere.

[DumbAss Tanker]

...Usually an endangered jungle animal...

 

[JohnnyReb]

If you have no money...you get accurate puncture...usually 38 cal at point blank range...ice chest comes out and then the auction sale begins.