On Infections, Doctors, and Healthcare

My experience in the medical field comes from years of complications. Every time I would get the flu, a stomach bug or anything related, some way or another, my body never really seems to tolerate illnesses as it should. My most recent surgery is exactly this. 

Exactly a week ago, I woke up with what I thought was a canker sore next to my last molar on the left side of my face. At the time, I was not too concerned as those usually pass within a few days and I was not really bothered by it since finals were upon us. I ignored it up until my friend Isabella pointed out that one of my lymph nodes looked like a golf ball. 

At this time, I was still not worried. A quick google search yielded many cases where cold sores were just "the body's way" of fighting infections, nothing to really be concerned about. Days passed and the canker sore got worse. Food started sticking to it and the pain started to become unbearable, to the point where I could not chew or eat anything that was not yogurt. Thats when I started to get worried. A quick call with my Dad, who is a Doctor of Medicine, put me on antibiotics immediately, yet that did not seem to help as days passed and nothing changed. By Thursday, I was in too much pain and decided to fly home to actually see a doctor. 

The decision behind choosing to fly home seemed quite easy at the time. My only other option was to check in to GWU Hospital, where I have had a malpractice before and would probably have to pay $3k only to be referred to a local dentist whom could see me in two months time. The flight home was around $800, and upon arrival I would be seen by three doctors who were on queue to receive me. 

Once home, I realized several things: 

1. Healthcare in the US is a JOKE. Even if you have insurance: Every time I've had to resort to using my insurance, United Healthcare Student Resources, I'm routed to several different operators who seem to have no idea how their own policies work. Just a month ago, I lost my eyeglasses, only to find out that my insurance STOPED COVERING EYE DOCTORS WHEN I TURNED 20. I'm 22 and had never used their "eye coverage" in the four years I have paid for insurance coverage. 

2. Puerto Rican doctors are 100x better at emergencies than mainland doctors: Upon arrival, the dentist knew I was coming for an emergency, and even though he had patients, they all agreed for him to see me before them, even though they had appointments. I was out of his office within 30 minutes and on my way to a Maxillofacial within 15 minutes. In 45 minutes, these doctors were able to not only find the source of the problem, but I was in surgery within 2 hours and out of post-op care later that evening. 

This might not be the case for everyone, but given the amount of times I've had to visit GWU Hospital, which, is the President of the United States' de-facto hospital, I cant say I'm anything but disappointed with my experience with US doctors. As of right now, my healthcare coverage with Delta and MCS in Puerto Rico has covered the surgery, emergency visit and several X-Rays that I have had in the past few days, something the in the mainland, even with coverage, would have cost me thousands of dollars. 

I don't mean to discredit US doctors, but the fact of the matter is that for a student on a budget, paying for a $200K education, I expect more from my healthcare provider AND for doctors to be readily available whenever an emergency merits it.

Four years in DC and I've had only ONE eye exam (not covered), more than three hospital visits (not covered) and have paid thousands to United Healthcare Student Resources, yet when I asked to see a dentist regarding an emergency, I was told there was a TWO MONTH wait time, and I would not be covered. Ridiculous!

Bottom line: trust me on this, DO NOT waste your money or time on a US Based healthcare provider. At the end of the day, nothing is covered* and an $800 last minute flight home will probably save you thousands in "consults" and "visits" that are "available in two months".