I have seen a lot of questions on here related to medical matters - is this because people do not have medical insurance? If you do not have medical insurance, how much does it actually cost to see a doctor?

I am afraid i would say there is no such thing as an unnecessary doctor's appointment - if you are ill, see a professional.

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by dea_ex_machina on February 20th, 2009

some people cant afford to go to the doctor quite so frequently (for example me)
and i definitely do think there is unnecessary doctors appointments

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by Kierafaye on February 20th, 2009

ah - so it is a question of cost. Are you in USA?

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by dea_ex_machina on February 20th, 2009

for some people cost is a problem, yes im in AZ

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by Kierafaye on February 20th, 2009

ah - I am viewing it from a UK perspective - we do not have to pay to see a doctor - well, we do pay, but it is all included in taxes etc. So from my angle, it is better to see a doctor. Next time you are ill, maybe you should tell me all the symptoms and I will ask my dr what is wrong and then let you know! good plan? *L*

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by dea_ex_machina on February 20th, 2009

hahaha will do, thanks :)

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by Kierafaye on February 20th, 2009

wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is a LOT of money!!!!

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by dea_ex_machina on February 25th, 2009

Yes. Doctors are highway robbery.

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by Mikeisha on February 26th, 2009

that certainly is a lot of money!

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by dea_ex_machina on February 26th, 2009

That is not too much at all - is that a flat rate, with or without insurance?

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by dea_ex_machina on February 20th, 2009

no medical insurance here - i'm not in america btw. the 7.50$ (or should that be $7.50?... whatever..) is the equivalent of what i pay when i go to my family doctor. the state then provides a free healthcare service to those who need it at hospital.

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by Rin on February 21st, 2009

ahhh ok,. so where are you then?

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by dea_ex_machina on February 21st, 2009

in southern europe :)

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by Rin on February 21st, 2009

i just saw your comments for the question above mine... hehe so you're from the uk... i guess we have similar systems of healthcare. how much do you pay (if anything) to go see your family doctor? (not in hospital... just a regular visit to the GP - i'm curious!)

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by Rin on February 21st, 2009

nothing.
We do not pay to see the GP. We pay a prescription charge for medications, which is currently about £7.50 per item - but you don't have to pay that if you are in full time education, or a pensioner. Those same categories also give you access to free eye tests, and certain free dental treatments - if you can find an NHS dentist (that is very hard these days). But normal health treatment is totally free - although we pay for it in taxes and national insurance contributions.

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by dea_ex_machina on February 21st, 2009

thanks... that's interesting! we don't pay a prescription charge (never heard of something like that!)... just for the visit. it is possible to go for a GP visit for free, but that's only in health centres designed so as to decrease the number of people flocking to the hospital. the GPs which are paid are in private practice, not governmental. they are the most popular with the locals, not the government ones, probably because they seem to offer a better service.

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by Rin on February 21st, 2009

the prescription charge is a set rate you pay for any medication - whether you are getting something expensive, or cheaper. Most medicines cost more than that, so you just pay a standard rate towards it. Scotland has now removed the prescription charge, but england has not as yet.
We also have private doctors here - you can take out a private medical insurance and then visit a doctor or a private hospital.

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by dea_ex_machina on February 21st, 2009

i understand now... thanks!

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by Rin on February 21st, 2009