Socialized Medicine Doesn't Work (VERY SARCASTIC AND TONGUE IN CHEEK)

[Suji to Seoul]

I live in Suji-Gu. . .part of Yongin-si in Kyunngi-do outside between Suwon, Bucheon and Seoul here in South Korea.

Since 2002, I have been victimized by severe, debilitating back spasms and sprains, to the pount that I have to remain prone in order not to feel intense pain that shoots from the right side of my lower lumbar all the way down both sides of my right legt to my knee.

I went to doctor after doctor in the states: No x-rays, no physical examination. Just two questions, a nurse, triage and out the door at $50 co-pay and a hit from my BC/BS PPO for a deductible charge. This is insurance I paid $110 a month out of my salary for.

I live in South Korea now. I got another one after hearing a loud pop in my back. I went for initial at a hospital, not a doctor's office. I was given two somas to relax the muscle and a shot of morphine to dull the pain (and it did, fantastically). Eight x-rays and a phyiscal examination, I was told to go home with a prescription for muscle relaxers and codeine.

This is after admission to the Pain Clinic for electrotherapy FREE OF CHARGE!!!

Total out the door: 19260 KRW ($14.83 in USD)
Prescription: 7380 KRW ($5.83 in USD)

Total time in the hospital: 55 minutes. Waiting time: 15 minutes
Time with doctor: 30 minutes. X-rays time: 10 minutes

The next today I went back because my back had worsened. I was admitted immediately, saw two doctors, put on bedrest and inject four times in the day with morphine for the extruciating pain and somas to relax the muscle.

Part of admission was a urine test, blood test and chest x-ray!

I was fed three meals: Rice, beef curry, fried squid, kimchi, soup for lunch
Seasoned seafood, rice, kimchi, salad for dinner
Standard breakfast for breakfast.

I do not know what my out of pocket cost will be, but if this were the states, I would be worried cost. I don't believe this will be that much, but will post the total cost when I know as an edit or as a new post with a link to this one.

In the building with this hospital, there are 11 clinics. Socalized medicine doesn't work?? BULLSHIT!!!

Oh, and per month, I pay 55000 KRW into the insurance pool ($43.45 USD) with no chance for rejection and no pre-existing.

My back feels better. I can walk again. I'm going to Itaewon to buy coals and hookah for tonight!

[RC]

1. Coals and hookah in Itaewon, huh?

You must be feeling better. That's what that evil socialized medicine will do for you. :evilgrin: