Three aspects rushed through my
mind before I penned this article: The song ‘material
girl’ by Madonna; the song ‘Alien in
New York’ by the Fugees (I think so) and; the quote from the new testament
by Jesus Christ ‘and again I say unto you
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter into the Kingdom of God.’ Matthew 19:24.
My mind rushed straight to a
situation in which I envisioned an ailing immigrant who is at the door steps of
a clinic in any town in USA. I come from Africa originally and I the health
care system from my former country is very different from that of USA.
I happened to go through eligibility criteria
to get insured in USA and know about acceptance that was short lived, denial
because I was not in ‘status’, acceptance again when my level of stay in USA
was established and finally confirmation that I am an insured person in USA. All
these aspects were communicated to me and a form was attached to my
communication to be filled if I was contesting any decision. I did write back
to have my names spelt correctly! I also managed to know about the appointment
system of my nearest clinic and accessed the system that works on health needs
of immigrants (immunisation, physical check-ups, tooth, eye, ear and skin care).
I am yet to get authorization to join a city-based gymnasium once my physician
approves and signs a certain filled form.
My first day of walking-in, is
still on mind. I walked into a freshly scented building of glass and humming
sounds of distant lifts (oh, sorry elevators) and in the lobby a receptionist
called for me. She directed me to a corridor where there was another lobby of
the ‘walk-in’ clinic. This particular health facility has 6 clinics with almost
50 medical doctors of different specialties as well as attending health
workers.
A receptionist nurse handled me
and took my vitals. He told me to wait for one hour as they schedule an
appointment to see my physician. I was told it was good I walked in before 8.30
a.m otherwise I was to wait for a day before I saw a physician because the numbers
of patients is large now. So many of us are uninsured (I was still uninsured
before 2013). Actually there are so many Americans who are uninsured. My
physician finally saw me, the laboratory and x-rays were done and the
prescriptions cost me USD 8. I had with me all my results on a CD! I also had a
file and a Family Health Center ID number generated for me. I looked at the
medication I was given at the pharmacy, it was to last me a month with chances
of three refills!
My insurance and the pharmacy
discount program ensured I get these services to the fullest. I was also asked
to book for dental care. That evening a call from the Dental care department
got me working on details to that effect. I have since had a thorough dental
check up and care as I write this. My next appointments are scheduled as
follows: next immunization for Hepatitis is in August; dental in August and;
physical check-ups with my physician on September. All I have to do is plan
ahead and have these appointments in mind. I can call ahead and
cancel/reschedule appointments. I am the kind of person who is cautious about
my life. I shall make sure I fulfill my appointments. I am an alien in USA, but
living in a country where life is respected it is easier for me to go through
the doors of the health facilities now after getting my insurance card!
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