I take my voucher for the free checks and add the same value to it for extra ones at a local hospital. So, much better than the checks I used to get through work.
Canada here, we have none of the above. I use a Dr who is outside the system,who I pay a fee to run comprehensive blood work every 6 months, the tests themselves are free. My GP quit post covid and I have been unable to find another Dr
Testing systems are probably similar but compared to Australia Japan lacks an institute of GP. Somebody who knows you long enough to warn about bad test results , direct further, monitor cholesterol and other risk factors together etc. “Kakaritsukei” is similar but I’m yet to find proper one. Professional level in the cases I experienced were lower compared to Aus. “Famous “ knee specialist in Japan told me I will need knee surgery soon. Sydney key specialist recommended to do a set of exercises and not to trouble him a few years. So far, he is right. The medical check up results in Japan are mostly on paper , there is often top diagnosis equipment , but no system to send a file with results to you by email. So, for my major issues like cardio , skin and knee checks I do once a year back in Sydney including the GP I know for 30 years. But general check up in Japan.
Thanks for your feedback. In Italy, my home country, I understand you can still get things done cheaply or free, but sometimes you have to wait weeks if not months for specialized tests.
Generally, I haven't had to wait more than a week or two for cat-scan or ultrasound (for hernia). Though my hernia surgery was on a waiting list that took nearly a year. It didn't cost me anything, however. I did have the option to pay for privately, which would have cost me thousands of dollars, but would have scheduled the surgery much much sooner.
Oh, don't get me started on the Australian medical system: Medicare (public health system) is stretched beyond capacity and the private sector do a nice line in rip-off, ala American style. The other alternative is begging via go-fund-me etc. Sad, sad state of affairs.
We do have govt paid bowel and breast tests (every two years) and eye tests are bulk-billed to a certain extent. Just about everything else is covered by private health cover or you jump on a waiting list for public health care (if you qualify). It wasn't always like this but then we (Australia) weren't always this sick and unhealthy.
I take my voucher for the free checks and add the same value to it for extra ones at a local hospital. So, much better than the checks I used to get through work.
Canada here, we have none of the above. I use a Dr who is outside the system,who I pay a fee to run comprehensive blood work every 6 months, the tests themselves are free. My GP quit post covid and I have been unable to find another Dr
Thanks for the information. In general, Canada is often compared favorably to its southern neighbor, so I thought you had better health care.
Testing systems are probably similar but compared to Australia Japan lacks an institute of GP. Somebody who knows you long enough to warn about bad test results , direct further, monitor cholesterol and other risk factors together etc. “Kakaritsukei” is similar but I’m yet to find proper one. Professional level in the cases I experienced were lower compared to Aus. “Famous “ knee specialist in Japan told me I will need knee surgery soon. Sydney key specialist recommended to do a set of exercises and not to trouble him a few years. So far, he is right. The medical check up results in Japan are mostly on paper , there is often top diagnosis equipment , but no system to send a file with results to you by email. So, for my major issues like cardio , skin and knee checks I do once a year back in Sydney including the GP I know for 30 years. But general check up in Japan.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Igor.
So far, I've been lucky enough not to have to see a specialist in Japan, but I've heard similar stories like yours.
I live in Australia and we have the same stool test, done every 2 years after turning 50. It is also a free test.
While it is true our medicare system is struggling I am still able to find a G.P. that is government paid for.
My monthly prescriptions only cost me Aus$20 a month. Back in the U.S., where I emigrated from, they would cost at least 5x that.
Thanks for your feedback. In Italy, my home country, I understand you can still get things done cheaply or free, but sometimes you have to wait weeks if not months for specialized tests.
Generally, I haven't had to wait more than a week or two for cat-scan or ultrasound (for hernia). Though my hernia surgery was on a waiting list that took nearly a year. It didn't cost me anything, however. I did have the option to pay for privately, which would have cost me thousands of dollars, but would have scheduled the surgery much much sooner.
"Unchi-san"! I gotta say, that takes the cake for the ickiest "Masukotto" I've ever encountered.
The very thought of having a little smling face looking up at me when, well, you know...ick!
Yeah, I know. In Japan, anything is possible. After all, here we have such popular characters as Unko Sensei (Professor Poop).
https://giannisimone.substack.com/p/a-very-poopular-attraction-17-08-05
Oh, don't get me started on the Australian medical system: Medicare (public health system) is stretched beyond capacity and the private sector do a nice line in rip-off, ala American style. The other alternative is begging via go-fund-me etc. Sad, sad state of affairs.
Oh my. I hear that Italy (what is left of my country) is only a little better.
We do have govt paid bowel and breast tests (every two years) and eye tests are bulk-billed to a certain extent. Just about everything else is covered by private health cover or you jump on a waiting list for public health care (if you qualify). It wasn't always like this but then we (Australia) weren't always this sick and unhealthy.