How'd That Get On the List?

Got to check out the Aussie health care system today. Apparently medical clinic waiting rooms are the same all over the world and I should know - I had plenty of time to sample it! I will say it was a rather interesting experience, but I'm certain I could have happily left that item off our "list of things to see and do". Oh well, if you gotta, ya gotta.

I was definitely feeling like crap this last weekend, but thought it had subsided into just a bit of a cold by Monday. Every morning I'd go into work thinking I was getting over it, but I think I was totally deluding myself. Eric's delusion detector must have been in high gear because he had been telling me for days I should go to the doctor, but hey, I was getting better so why would I do that?

I woke up this morning and the gig was up. I called a nearby medical center and managed to get an appointment. I thought it was odd they didn't ask me to get there early what with me being a new patient and all. Oh well.

I arrived a little early anyway and found out why they don't need you to come early. The "new patient information" card was one-sided and about 4x6 and consisted of my name, address, phone numbers, birth-date, a couple of lines about Aussie health-care stuff, next of kin, next of kin phone number, and next of kin birth-date. What?! Why in the world do they care what his birth-date is? If I collapse in the doctor's office and it happens to be Eric's birthday, will they first wish him "Happy Birthday"?!! Maybe I'm being obtuse, but I just don't get it.

On the bright side, I had an hour to ponder this while I waited to be called. Since I couldn't solve it, I was relieved when the Dr. called my name (yes, the Dr.). I guess they don't have nurses in medical clinics like we do. The Dr. asked me several questions, checked my ears, throat, and chest, asked a couple more questions, and then printed off a prescription. I was out of there before I realized I hadn't had any of my "vitals" taken; apparently they aren't so "vital" here.

Verdict? Ear infection and bronchitis. Isn't that exciting, my first infection in Australia - NOT! Since we aren't part of the Australian health-care system, we paid our bill in cash - a whole $70 AUD. Cheapest Dr. visit I've had in years!

With prescription in hand we trotted off to the chemist's to get it filled. This is where it got really weird. I hand the lady the prescription and she says,
"Have you had a prescription filled here before?", I say,
"No.", and then she says,
"Well then I'll need your Medicare card". To which I replied,
"I don't have a Medicare card. I'll just pay cash".
This causes her to get a little belligerent and she said,
"You have to have a Medicare card to enter the prescription in."
At this point I'm doing a surreptitious look around for Rod Serling because I'm just positive I've found the chemist Twilight Zone. She proceeds to give my prescription to another lady and gives me a bit of an evil eye while she explains my deplorableness to her.

The good news is the other lady didn't think this was one of the seven deadly sins and, amazingly, entered the prescription in without a Medicare card (will miracles never cease!). I paid my $13.85 AUD and we went on our merry way. There was one more oddity, though. The prescription was for 5 days of antibiotics. The Dr. said that he allowed one refill so if I was still feeling a bit under the weather I could get another 5 days of pills. I get to decide for myself - what power!

Doctor visit - cross that experience off the list - PLEASE!