Japanese Healthcare

I was online all last night looking for International Clinics here in Tokyo.

Where I lived before, I didn't have access to English speaking doctors and when I got sick, it was incredibly frustrating because I would either have to get someone to come with me, or struggle through the whole process feeling like shit and take three times as long doing it.

I wanted to go to the clinic today because I'm 99% sure that I now have a throat infection that is spreading to my ears. I have a lifetime history of throat problems - before I had my tonsils taken out at the ridiculous age of 23, I was hospitalized once a year with tonsillitus or quinsies and had throat infections every winter.

Pain in the arse.

So I called a couple of clinics this morning to see if I could get an emergency appointment. What I didn't realise is a lot of these clinics are private and don't accept the Japanese Health Insurance that I have. I was like...hmmmmm...OK, it can't be that bad right? So I told the receptionist what was going on and then asked her what the standard consultation fee was.

12,000yen!!!! (£80)

And that's just to see the doctor!! Any medication I get prescribed would be added on top.

I can't believe it!!! That is absolutely ridiculous!

I did manage to find a clinic that DID accept the Health Insurance but I just resent how much healthcare costs here - even with the insurance. I might be sick but I think I'm gonna hang off a bit and see if this clears up on it's own before shelling out ridiculous fees just for antibiotics. I'm never gonna complain about the £6.50 prescription fee ever again when I go back to England. It hasn't been a week yet - obviously if it starts to get worse then I'm gonna go, but I'm gonna give it a week - maybe a week and a half - and see if it starts to get any better. My ears aren't as bad as they were yesterday but it only seems to come on in the evenings.

Just have to keep popping those painkillers! But you know what, I'm seriously gonna look into private health insurance. The treatment of private patients is (as if should be) significantly higher and there are serious benefits to be gained - immediate appointments, longer consultation times, shorter waiting lists to see specialists and for specific treatment. And because I'm planning on being here long term it might just be worth it...although I'm not actually sick that often and I don't have any conditions that require constant medical care.

This sucks.

There goes my hot date tonight!! Even though I'm feeling slightly better, I just don't want to make it any worse! Plus I found out that his film premieres today but there are private screenings for the next couple of days so I might go on Monday instead. Pah - I hate being sensible!! But this is not the country to be really sick in - it'll end up costing a fortune!!!

xx