While in NL, I was having "treatment" for a small cyst in my left eye. Not a major issue really just a bit of a niggle that made it feel red and sore, like I hadn't slept for days... but constant. It also liked to cry for no reason at all... but the Dutch were treating it with eye drops. Sadly after several different types of drop, they agreed that surgery was the best option. Not something I was at all happy about, as I loath having even the air pressure test on my eye at the optician..
But it needed to be done and we tried to arrange it, but sadly despite my excellent private health insurance... there was a bit of a wait.. And we had an appointment, with Thailand.
So the surgery never happened, and I planned to have it done here, but of course when I took out medical insurance they excluded it from the cover... bugger..
But it needed doing, as my eye has been getting angrier and redder as time went on, so I booked an appointment with a specialist eye clinic...They booked me in for a consult at my convenience, and doc had a look, agreed it probably wouldn't respond to any more drops after so long, and he could take it out today...
Ulp.... today... ermm no, I hadn't built myself up to that yet... and we had a road trip planned at the weekend, so we set a date 1 week from then, and sure enough. In I went, a few valium to calm me down, then off to a private room, on the bench, needle in eye to numb... which was the worst bit, I did flinch a lot, that panicked them. But once a pretty nurse held my hand I was a big brave boy and the jab was done. Waited a minute and he was off..snipped or slipped it out...in under a minute. Doc was happy, it was a clean flat cut, so no need to stich it, just keep it well lubricated with drops and take a few pills to avoid swelling.
Now..it was a good outcome, so far at least... 2 days later I don't really have much discomfort and don't seem to need to wear the eyepatch, but it will take a few more days to heal.
However... it fucking scared the shit out of me and I still hate having my eyes messed with... so no way in hell will I be doing Lasik or other eye stuff unless I realllllllly need it.
Total cost, consult, drugs, surgery and a lab biopsy just to be sure, came out just under 20K Baht.... about 520euros.... not bad for instant treatment is it?
There's a lot of people here saying insurance is a mugs game and I kinda see why when you can get things like this done so quickly and relatively cheaply.
But this was a simple 10min procedure... imagine the cost of a heart stent, or major abdominal surgery, broken bones, cancer care, etc... yes you probably could pay them, up to 10, 20K euros... but the drain on your finances is very real..
Though I did this as a private patient, I'm happy to use the government hospitals for any minor ailments or injury I might have, its not free for me, (it is for Jirawan), it might take a bit longer to see specialists, etc... but the cost is very cheap.. So the insurance is protection against big events, high costs and not just comfort.
It is reassuring to know that health care is easy to access and affordable here, lets hope I don't need it too often.
Ahthankyew
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