Hi, need some advice on the topic.
I am having a mild chest pain and my left hand feels a bit numb. I have this for the past week but it was very mild and short term. But today it’s constant from 5 pm.
So I called #7119 (Ibaraki) to ask for the nearest emergency care as it is past O.P. time.
She referred me to 2 of the hospitals and suggested I take ambulance. But I feel I can drive and calling for an ambulance is too much (I am stupid) so I refused her recommendation.
I contacted the 2 hospitals and both said that the problem is probably with the heart but they do not have the specialist and one of the hospital staff referred me to a uni hospital and I called them. They guy there said I could come but I have to pay 11000 yen extra for emergency care (おうきゅうしょち 【応急処置】) I confirmed with him saying I do have insurance and this is additional to that.
This was bit of a shock and I told him I will call back.
Meanwhile I called to another hospital where my wife consulted for her pregnancy and they do have the doctor available but they need to perform some tests and told me to come tomorrow morning and be safe till then.
I get that my options are to use the ambulance or pay the 11000 yen. Do we really have to go through all this for an emergency care in Japan? I’m fine now though I still have the pain. But what is in the case of true emergency?
And what’s with the emergency care cost?
Edit: Thank you for your inputs. I’m feeling alright now but will be going to the hospital tomorrow just to be safe. Many pointed out about my idea of driving at this condition and you were right. I put me and others at risk and will consider using ambulance next time. Thank you for pointing it out.
by WeavingWharf305
10 comments
Call the ambulance. They will call around to hospitals and find one that has the right doctors and will accept you. Potential heart attack(s) doesn’t seem like something you want to mess around with.
If it’s true emergency, honestly do you think your life is not worth 11000 yen?
Emergency = ambulance.
That’s rule number 1 here.
If you think you’re having a heart attack call an ambulance, don’t overthink it when you’re potentially having a serious health emergency.
Use the ambulance.
You don’t want to drive into a tree, off the mountain or worse, hit someone if your heart plays up while you’re driving.
That’s what the doctor in the clinic said when he confiscated my dad’s license in another country and called the ambulance to take him to the hospital.
If you think you might be having a heart attack then stop worrying about paying for emergency care. Your heart muscles (which don’t grow back) could be dying.
Also about the emergency fee, is that something that will be returned to you, possibly? I do remember having to pay 1man after hours when my clinic sent me to their hospital, I got it back later and I think it was because they didn’t have staff to run the insurance card at that time of day.
Thank you for your advice guys. I do think taking an ambulance is a good idea. But the pain has subsided for now. Will be going to the hospital tomorrow.
Btw, the topic of 11000 yen is not about the money but is about the system. We pay for our healthcare but we still need to pay for the emergency care is? Wanted to know if anyone had such experience.
This might be a rib skin infection (pleurisy). The nerve is connected to the left arm and might be why it feels numb. Is it a poking pain? Does it feel better 2 hours after ibuprofen? Less pain lying on your side? It’s allergy season, so your lungs might be irritated, causing the condition.
Brother if you can’t pay 11000 might be time to consider going home
Like seriously – we have pretty good healthcare in Australia but we still have to contribute a small amount some time
In Japan you often also have to pay extra – for example if you have surgery you apply for a cap on payments but might still have to pay 100,000 of the 1,000,000 bill
Mate just call the ambulance