So, I ended up with this cough from a cold that I caught last week. I spent the weekend doing nothing since I lacked the energy to do things.
Anyway, when I returned back to office on Monday, I was still coughing quite a bit. After work, I decided to go see a doctor to treat my simple cough. According to the health provider list from work, most general doctors were located at the hospital near where I lived. Back in Canada, I would not visit the hospital for something that my family doctor would handle easily. But according to my coworkers, it seems to be the best place to find a general doctor.
By the time I got there in the evening, those offices have closed. When I entered the hospital, I asked the reception lady:
Me: So, this sounds sorta stupid but I want to see a doctor about my cough.
Receptionist: Well, all our doctors are gone now. You could go to the emergency ward.
Me: I don’t typically go to the emergency ward for a cough. I’d feel stupid just walking in.
Receptionist: Don’t worry. There are a lot of people who does the same.
Me: Fine, where is the emergency ward?
So after checking in the emergency ward, I discovered the following with regards to American hospitals:
- wait times are really low. It took 1.5 hours to see a doctor.
- all rooms are private, they also have TVs
- 100% of the cost was covered by my employer’s insurance
- 100% of drug cost was also covered
I think I’ll try a different approach next time… I’ll find a local family doctor instead. I’m still slowly learning my new way of life here.