Costs of doctor visit etc

[redheadaussie]

Ok as most of you know I am going to USA on August 16th (only 29 days to go aaargh!) I have become by my own standards very hypo. I am in the middle of chasing up some lab tests here but apparently it could be mid next week before I have an answer.
  I always get tested every 6 weeks. If I wasn't feeling so hypo, but levelled out nicely like I was for a while there I would leave my tests till I get back in late October. So , now I am in a quandary. To raise my thyroxine up to 114.3mcgs which will take me out of hypo but into hyper land for the 9 weeks I am away? It seems I have a conversion problem with the T4 into T3. Will this in fact actually work? Every time I go up or down the flaming T3 does a no go and keeps going down! If I wait for the Reverse T3 to come back and it is high, how the heck do I find a decent endo or compounding doc in time!?
  Forgive me for rambling...I am VERY hypo today and just can't seem to get my thoughts together long enough to make sense.
  What I was thinking was, take a higher dose, get tested when I get to USA around end August. What I want to know is; What does it cost to visit a doctor there? Remembering I am NOT a US citizen so they will charge me as if I have no insurance. What are the costs involved in a lab test?
  I REALLY need an answer to this, so I can work out my budget and plan of action. If I feel as cruddy as I do now when I get there, this whole thing is going to be a waste of time! (and please don't tell me not to go! I really really really really need the break..even if I sleep for 24/7 for 3 weeks it will be a stress free environment!)
Thanks guys.

[TonnaB]

I don't have any insurance & here in Missouri it costs almost $100.00 just to get past the front desk at any Dr.'s office. And that doesn't include anything that happens afterwards. Which is why I only go to the Dr every couple of years.
A family of 3 can't make over $282.00 a month to qualify for Medicaid here in Mo. Yes, I said a MONTH...People think everyone who is low income can get it but that just isn't true. It was many, many years ago, but now it's next to impossible to get help. There is NO option for the working poor. None.

[goolarra]

I don't believe you're coming to Bend, Oregon.  What a surprise to see that in your post!  I live in Sisters (actually have a Bend mailing address since our mail comes out of the Bend P. O.).  

My TSH, FT3 and FT4 would cost someone without insurance about $125 at my lab in Bend.  I get it for less than $50 because my insurance company negotiates better rates for us.  My endo would be $184, but I get six "free" doctor's visits a year and then I start paying.

If there is anything I can do while you're here, I'd be happy to help.  I also have an endo who I like.  

[OzBron]

A clinic is the way to go, but ensure it is a larger enough clinic that does their own bloodwork. For just Thyroid tests the bloodwork should be around $150. Most people who work have private insurance so don't pay the high costs but it means they then charge those who don't more to offset the costs.
I'm not sure about what a clinic would charge but it usually costs about $80-120 without insurance to see my GP (called primary care physician)
If you can wait till Canada you should get cheap/free treatment (one benefit of being part of the commonwealth!).
There was a comment earlier about no pensions etc, but they do have medicare/ medicaid etc for low income people, its just that they get minimum treatment required (which may be not enough) so not ideal.
I've grown up in Aus, then worked in the UK and now in the US and I would put the UK as the worst out of the 3 (assuming you have work based medical insurance) and aus by far the best. Socialised or national health systems are not created equal and you don't realise how good the system is in Aus till you experience the others.
Bron

[redheadaussie]

Most people here begrudge paying the 1 % tax levy from their salary to pay for the Medicare. But honestly I know most don't want to pay for a doctor's visit either. Many balk at the idea if the cost is (average) $35 and they will get back $27 from Medicare.
Pathology here for most things is free too.
  Our public hospitals have waiting lists for surgeries up to 10 years! I had a bad knee and because I am on a government hand out pension (no the same as your pensions!) due to disability, was told I would have to wait up to 3 years. I told them I had PRIVATE  health insurance which I was paying. Suddenly I was booked in the very same week!
Having been to US though and seen my friends there, I can tell you the Aussies here really have no idea how bloody lucky they are. I know one of my US friends told me that one hospital's ER had a quota for the day. If you were say, number 256 then you were sent home or elsewhere. Here you might wait hours but you will always be seen.
Our government does encourage people to obtain private health insurance. To take the burden off them to fork out payments to under paid hospitals and staff.
  Makes me sad to know the American health system is in tatters. I know we tend to follow US by around 10 years for many things..I hope the health system is not one of them!

[redheadaussie]

Thanks for those! I know the St Charles centre well,have been past it a few times!  I'll probably more than likely go there I think.

[katebrunk]

Clinics:
Bend Oregon:  
Mountain Medical Immediate Care
1302 NE 3rd St
Bend, OR 97701
541-388-7799

St Charles Medical Center Bend
2500 NE Neff Rd
Bend, OR 97701
541-382-4321


Seattle:
Seattle Emergency Physicians
700 Minor Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-2573


Vancouver:
UBC Hospital Urgent Care Center
2211 Wesbrook Mall
(between 10th & 16th Avenue)
Vancouver, BC
Tel: [phone]
Hours: Daily from 8am to 10pm
No appointment necessary.

[katebrunk]

There should be many places around Seattle; I will look several up and send you the contact information.  In Canada it will be much cheaper due to socialized health care there but, you may have to wait a while in a queue.  Either way, I recommend going in the morning; most people go to the clinic due to a small accident or feeling sick...x-rays and the flu etc. and it gets busier as the day goes on.  While the "out of pocket" costs for the test can be high; my insurance only has a $10 co-pay so, I don't see the full costs when I get tested.  Without insurance it will be higher so, be sure to ask when you call.   I will get you some contacts in Washington and Oregon.
Kate

[joycekatherine]

You are right, it is very expensive here!  Many American's go without proper health care everyday...it's just a fact of our lives...that may change in the future...do you guys who come from OZ, like the government paid healthcare system??  I'm very curious to see how you feel about it, since we have no idea if we should be for it or against it...please educate us OH Great OZ!!  lmbo  :)

[redheadaussie]

My sentiments exactly! Not to mention many of my, and my ex-B/F's friend's at ages over 60+ have to work as they don't have any pension like we do here. Their government spent it all! VERY bad situation over there for many many people. But that is politics for you!

[Smilerdeb]

Thats disgusting!

Everyone should have access to proper medical treatment in the USA, regardless of their financial situation.

[redheadaussie]

Bend, Oregon for most of the time. Going to Seattle, Washington later..probably around the time I will need the labs done. Heading to Canada after that. More than likely Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, Calgary. Mostly that area. Later on will be a ton of other places but they are the main ones around the time I will need testing.
I can easily get to any place in the area of John Day, or Eugene, or even upper part of California. (Bend is sooooooo central to everywhere! ) As smilerdeb says, here in Oz most places are free. Some charge a small amount but not often. Mind you we pay for it through our salary in taxes!
  
SMILERDEB.. I read that some pathology in USA can cost up to $600 for basic thyroid testing! I just asked my darling ex-boyfriend and he said a Doc visit is usually around $135 US.....No wonder he never goes to them when he is sick there!  I have been saving up all year since last trip going without so I can have a good time...and I socked away a bit extra just in case of needing labs and docs. You can see why most US people have poor medical care! They simply can't afford it!

[Smilerdeb]

$125 - $150 US for a blood test?
WOW!
We dont pay nothing like that here in OZ.
I always get mine 'bulk billed' and they cost me nothing.

Redhead, I hope your going with a fair bit of $$$ as this trip looks like its going to be an expensive one :(

[stella5349]

Great advice Kate.

[katebrunk]

Hey there; where in the US will you be traveling?  I would recommend going to a "walk in clinic"; most communities have them and they are specifically for non-urgent care.  They are typically reasonably priced and I would think that the blood test should run you about $125 - $150 US.  This is about what is billed to my insurance.  I would certainly call and ask before going to the clinic.  
Let me know what city you plan on going to, I would be happy to locate a couple of clinics for you to contact.
Kate