Doctors & Dentists

[QUOTE=Metkim]Hi,

I just arrived on Saturday from NYC, and I think I developed DVT from my flight. I have extreme discomfort on both calfs that just continues to spread. I wish I could say that I did something athletice to get it, but that was not the case. If anyone knows of a good Doctor to visit please let me know.[/QUOTE]You'd better not delay seeing a doctor. Seek out one of our BsAs resident members like Thomaso, Capt Dave, or even Jackson himself for a recommendation. Or even Roxana or Silvina. Self-diagnosis is no substitute for real medical attention.

[QUOTE=Metkim]Hi,

I just arrived on Saturday from NYC, and I think I developed DVT from my flight. I have extreme discomfort on both calfs that just continues to spread. I wish I could say that I did something athletice to get it, but that was not the case. If anyone knows of a good Doctor to visit please let me know.[/QUOTE]Don't screw around with a GP. Just go to one of the hospitals. I've heard good things about both the Italian Hospital and the German Hospital.

I travel a lot in Asia and elsewhere and I generally get my teeth cleaned when I travel to avoid at least part of the outrageous cost of dental and other medical care in the US. I went to a dental clinic called CEO at Talcahuano 837 [near Cordoba and 9 de Julio, as I remember]]. I think they have other locations.

I seems they do most of their work under the government health plans and a cash paying customer is unusual and a foreigner more so. I'm pleased to report they did an excellent job for a rediculosly low 30 pesos. The cleaning was quite careful and took ½ hour or more.

I had to make an appointment for the next day which I did. When I showed up they were running about an hour late but it was no big deal – portenos are forever late. The place is modern crisp clean friendly and professional. It looked good for more major work but I didn't need any.

Anyone have experience with them?

I had two unfortunate incidents while residing in Argentina that forced me to get medical attention. The first occurred (Jan. 05) while I was at the Sheraton inside Iguazu National Park- after pigging out at an all you can eat Samba show on the Brasilian side, I woke up in the middle of the night with bad food poisoning-threw up minimum of 30 times. This happened on the day I was to fly back to Buenos Aires, so I faced the prospect of dealing with food poisoning on a flight- however a half hour or so before the flight, I asked the airport policemen if there was a doctor in the airport, and he brought me to a closet where two guys in scrubs were playing cards, and they have me an injection of something and I begun to feel better a few hours later. Total cost for doctor's time and medicine: Gratis.

The second incident happened during September 2005 and was a return bout of "intoxicado". This one occurred after eating at Kentucky Pizzeria on the corner of Santa Fe and Godoy Cruz in Palermo- avoid the empanadas, I am sure they were the culprit. Anyway, I knew I needed medical attention so I called up one of the Argentine ladyfriends for a recommendation- she sent me to a private clinic near my apt that was on Marcelo T near 9 de Julio, can't remember the name I could find my invoice if anybody is interested. Anyway, service was good, the attending physician spoke english. Total cost for two hours in ER, supplies, etc. $90 AR

Anybody have an ear, nose and throat doc they can recommend? I have Swiss Medical, and walked down there today, but the girl I talked with spoke zero english. With my castellano, I got some referrals, but I'd rather hear from someone on the board who has a doc they think is good. Sinus problems, arghhhh.

In the doghouse

Went to the Swiss Medical clinic today-Santa Fe 2479. In and out in less than an hour, xrays of sinuses included (which were given to me) Apparently no charge with my plan, though I did pay about 70p for Allegra-D and an antibiotic down the street. In the US with my ex plan there, I am guessing I would have paid $100, or more, for the meds, even with the drug benefit, plus $35 co pay for the MD visit. Fairly painless in all categories. The doc was surprised that I thought they might keep the xrays.

Doggboy,

Perhaps you are beginning to realize what I call the vast superiority of the health system in Argentina. I also have Swiss Medical and have also had sinus problems. In USA, I have to first wait maybe two weeks until there is an appointment available with my "primary care physician" in the trailer park. He will then confirm that I need to see an ENT (thanks, bro!) since my sinuses are fucked up. Note, he enters with clipboard for 20 seconds and never actually looks at me, just a cattle car inspection before saying "go to an ENT" with the bedside manner of a Nazi medical scientist stationed at Auchwitz. Then I wait another few weeks until an ENT that is covered by my "plan" and is in the proper "network/area" has an appointment available. At this point, after waiting a month, perhaps my problem has gone away on its own. If not, I pay out the ass for various exams (cat scan, etc) - don't forget to bring your gold card and first born son to pay for the costs that arent "covered". My "coverage" in USA has always been with a major like Aetna.

Here in Argentina, I go directly to one of various ENT specialty centers in my zone, knowing what specialist I need to see despite having no medical training - me ear hurt, me go to ear medicine man. I like going to the center "Guardias ORLSA" on Cuidad de la Paz 870, which is almost right on the Juramento station of subte line D in Belgrano. They have 3-4 ENTs on call and are open 24/7/365. Never waited more that 20 minutes upon arriving. When sinunitis was suspected, I was sent to a nearby center and given a cat scan / MRI? (probably had to wait 25 minutes for that). The grand total cost of all this was $0.00 pesos, just flash yout Swiss Medical card. Although it may be an intangible, the doctors here seem to truly care about you and dont have an "assembly line" mentality like Ive experienced in USA.

If you're really sick here, you can have a doctor come to your house (I thought this only happened on "Little House on the Prarie" circa 1870). With my plan, I do have to shell out 5 pesos for that luxury though.

If I ever move back to USA, I will maintain my coverage here knowing that if I ever have health issues, I can always return to Argentina and a "real" medical system. As an added benefit, many female doctors here are smokin' hot!

Not quite sure if that last post was an exercise in irony or not. People from all around the world go to the United States to seek medical treatment. I've never heard of anybody going to Argentina for the same. Perhaps it's a good choice if you want to see a shrink to talk out your problems. Buenos Aires has more of those per capita than any other city in the world.

[blue]Hi Hunt99,

Actually, foreigners traveling to Argentina for medical treatment, including cosmetic dentistry, reconstructive dentistry, and plastic surgery, are all growth industries. The consenus is that the medical professions in Argentina are very professional at a much cheaper cost than in Europe or the USA.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

No irony there - OK my comparison to the Auchwitz scientist was made to illustrate a point. My last "primary 'care' provider" in USA reminded me of the drunken "doctor" from the movie "Cannonball Run" - he was a joke. Do you have pertinent experience in both countries on which to base your opinion?

Millions of people worldwide chose to eat at McDonalds everyday, surely more than any restaurant in the world. Does that mean its the best product/service/expertise available? I'm guessing that most people coming to USA for medical treatment are very wealthy? Money does not necessarily correlate with quality. My understanding is that Argentine doctors are highly respected and Ive read about many foreigners, mostly Europeans, coming down to Argentina for medical treatment!

What you say about shrinks per capita here is true and widely known. Apparently there are also more GPs and ENTs just in my neighborhood than in the Lower48. In BsAs I can see one in 30 minutes if necessary, in USA I get - "lets see, we have an opening on July 23" unless I can physically demonstrate imminent death. Once, when visiting a part of the USA that was not part of my tiny network, I was basically told that in order to be attended with my plan it had better be a life & death issue. No pussies with sinus problems or flu symptoms accepted. I finally went to an emergency room at a major hospital there and it was like a zoo, waiting several hours. Here, the going to the "guardia" is a pleasant, efficient, quick experience.

My main point is that there seems to be a huge accessibilty problem in the USA. Ive always had "good" coverage there and still have problems! Id wager that the millions of US citizens who can't afford any coverage have greater accessibility issues than Ive had.

I did visit Mayo Clinic in Arizona once for my sinunitis. It was an exception for USA - I'd say it could pass for the Docthos Center on Santa Fe & Puerreydon, on a good day maybe. Very professional at Mayo. Good thing I made an appointment 9 months in advance and didnt die waiting!

I suppose that many foreigners visiting Argentina might assume that the medical sector here isnt worth a shit based on what theyve seen in other sectors. Ive been quite impressed with it and its doctors and I dont think Im the only one.

Just a note for anyone who has X-Rays (including dental) MRI's, etc.

When you have a follow-up visit or another appointment, bring your pics with you as offices here never keep them on file. When you go back, especially for dental work, they will not do any work without looking at an X-Ray

Couldn't agree more with Moore's assessment of health care in the US. The aggravation factor has multiplied greatly within the past 10 years. I know very few people in the states who wait LESS than an hour to see any specialist, not to mention the time lag between calling for an appointment and actually seeing the doctor. Quality of care also suffers due to providers stuffing their schedules full and giving patients short thrift. Plus, many other problems that would take a post five times this size to address. Certainly no indication of it getting better any time soon. Another reason to stay in BA.

[blue]I can add one observation to charactarize the difference in the approach to medical care between Argentina and the USA.

Here in Argentina was the first time I actually met a dentist while I was still standing on my feet. Here's what I mean: When you visit a dentist in the USA, you are greeted by the dental assistants who get you seated in the chair and prep'ed before the dentist himself, who is moving from room to room seeing the maximum number of patients in a day, comes in, introduces himself and then immediately sticks his instruments in your mouth. After the treatment, he typically exits to go to another room before you even get out of the chair, leaving the dental assistants to do the followup.

When I went to see a dentist here in Argentina, I was stunned when the dentist came out into the waiting room, introduced himself, and then accompanied me back to his office.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

Mongers-

I definetly feel that the nearly-free Argentine health care system is a great idea and I have had good experiences with it during the two instances where I needed medical attention. Most countries in the world have some sort of free / government subsidized health care for their citizens, the United States is the exception.

However, my experience with the health care system in the United States has been carefree and hasslefree in general. Moore I don't know what sort of health insurance you had back in the EEUU, but it sounds like an HMO, which are shitty IMO compared to "traditional plan". I have Blue Cross / Blue Shield, I go to any doctor I want without calling anybody other than the doctor I want to see to make an appointment, and there is no co-pay for doctor visits. There is a prescription card also, any brand name drug costs $5 or less and generics are $1. The insurance company pays 80% of all bills up to $500, and 100% of everything above and beyond that.

A few months before I moved back to Buenos Aires I got LASIK done to correct my nearsightedness. I went to the eye doctor, he examined me, and I had the surgery done two weeks later (the minimum time to stop wearing contact lenses pre-surgery) All easy and hassle free.

There is no doubt that the US health care system is not equitable and many people have no or restricted access to the best medical care, however, I believe that for those who live in the right area and have the right insurance, the US system is on par with the best in the world.

Suerte,

Dirk Diggler

Surely an Argentine doctor is perfectly capable of clearing up a sinus problem, treating that drip, drip, drip infection you picked up who-knows-where, or removing that big mole from your shoulder.

But do you guys want to get a heart bypass operation, cancer treatment, or a knee replacement in Buenos Aires? Hah! You'd better head down the Recoleta cemetery and pick out a plot beforehand!

[blue]Hi Hunt99,

Again, I would disagree with you, especially given that a lot of doctors and surgeons in Argentina have studied and trained in the USA.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

[QUOTE=Dirk Diggler]Mongers-

I definetly feel that the nearly-free Argentine health care system is a great idea and I have had good experiences with it during the two instances where I needed medical attention. Most countries in the world have some sort of free / government subsidized health care for their citizens, the United States is the exception.

However, my experience with the health care system in the United States has been carefree and hasslefree in general. Moore I don't know what sort of health insurance you had back in the EEUU, but it sounds like an HMO, which are shitty IMO compared to "traditional plan". I have Blue Cross / Blue Shield, I go to any doctor I want without calling anybody other than the doctor I want to see to make an appointment, and there is no co-pay for doctor visits. There is a prescription card also, any brand name drug costs $5 or less and generics are $1. The insurance company pays 80% of all bills up to $500, and 100% of everything above and beyond that.

A few months before I moved back to Buenos Aires I got LASIK done to correct my nearsightedness. I went to the eye doctor, he examined me, and I had the surgery done two weeks later (the minimum time to stop wearing contact lenses pre-surgery) All easy and hassle free.

There is no doubt that the US health care system is not equitable and many people have no or restricted access to the best medical care, however, I believe that for those who live in the right area and have the right insurance, the US system is on par with the best in the world.

Suerte,

Dirk Diggler[/QUOTE]Dirk,

You are the big exception to the current rule in the US. Absolutley, if you have a heavy duty non HMO plan, the headaches are much less. WAY less. However, employers are offering fewer and fewer non HMO plans, and the ones being offered are more and more expensive. Sure, I could have had a BC / BS plan as a consultant on a deal offered me by one of my clients, at about $500US a month! That's at 53 and zero family. So yeah, the "convenient" plans are still out there, but more expensive and fewer to pick from. They are going the way of that old timey idea-pensions.