When it comes to healthcare, Australians over 50 are well aware of the benefits and drawbacks of our system. We grumble about wait times and sometimes question the efficiency of Medicare, but a recent story involving an American traveller has shed new light on just how fortunate we are down under.
Coleman Geiger, an American currently exploring the wonders of Australia, has found himself in awe of our healthcare system—a sentiment that might surprise those of us who take it for granted. Geiger’s experience with Australian medical care has gone viral, and it’s easy to see why.
In a country where healthcare debates are as common as Vegemite on toast, Geiger’s story is a refreshing reminder of the positives. He managed to secure a telehealth appointment and pick up a two-month supply of antibiotics, all without the safety net of insurance. The total cost? A mere $48 for both the medication and the consultation. For many Americans, this scenario is unfathomable.
‘The American gang will know you don’t go to the doctor unless you really have to — especially if you don’t have insurance,’ Geiger mentioned in his viral clip. This statement resonates with many of our readers who have family in the States or who have experienced the American healthcare system firsthand.
Geiger’s surprise is understandable. Back in the US, even with insurance, he recalls a time when a suspected broken hand meant ‘sucking it up’ for a month due to high deductibles. Contrast that with his current situation in Australia, where he’s on a visitor visa and has previously enjoyed insurance coverage for just $70 a month—a stark difference from the $350 monthly payments he faced in the US.
The reaction from Australians to Geiger’s surprise has been a mix of pride and bemusement. Comments range from welcoming him to our ‘socialist’ country to expressions of amazement that those who would benefit most from a universal healthcare system in the US are often its loudest opponents.
Geiger’s takeaway from the comments is telling: ‘Almost every single country is better than the US (when it comes to health care).’ His experience highlights the ease and affordability of healthcare in Australia, something he feels many Australians take for granted.
The complexity and exclusivity of the American insurance system are not lost on our readers, who may have relatives navigating the narrow windows for insurance applications in the US. Geiger points out the peculiarities of the system, such as the limited grace period to secure insurance after turning 26.
Geiger isn’t alone in his astonishment. Another American, Noel Mulkey, needed an MRI while training for the Ironman World Championship in Australia. Accustomed to the exorbitant costs back home, Mulkey was stunned to pay only $300 (about US$220) for the procedure—a fraction of the $1700 he would have shelled out in the US.
While MRI costs in Australia can vary and sometimes be covered by Medicare, the price difference is still significant. Even though Mulkey had to pay out of pocket as a non-citizen, the cost was a pleasant surprise compared to his American experience.
Some Aussies, however, were quick to point out that even $300 for an MRI seemed steep, showcasing the high standards Australians hold for their healthcare system.
What are your thoughts on the Australian healthcare system? Have you had experiences with healthcare abroad that made you appreciate what we have here? Share your stories in the comments below and let’s celebrate the healthcare system that looks after us all.
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Medicare is pathetic a visit to the GP $110, no bulk billing anywhere near us, and $42.85 Medicare refund. $500 for a cardologist, $300 for an allergy specialist, $400 for a respiratory specialist and in 21 days we hit our reduced safety net (on a Seniors Health Card but no pension card) of $840. So $840 out of pocket expenses in 21 days for us but for others the safety net is $2200. At least we now get 80% of specialist charges back for the rest of the year.