Member-only story

What American Healthcare Has Taught Me

Nothing I’ve learned actually has to do with my health

Citizen Reader
The Haven

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Two hands in blue latex or nitrile medical gloves against a white background.
Photo by Anton on Unsplash

I had always hoped that one of the benefits of getting older would be that I would get wiser as well.

This has turned out not to be the case.

Except when it comes to dealing with the American medical system. I have finally learned three very important things about interacting with American healthcare, and, lucky you, I am going to share them.

  1. Always, ALWAYS keep the appointment.

Sometimes things come up that might make it necessary to cancel or change an already scheduled health appointment.

If you read that sentence and agreed with it, you are wrong, and you clearly need to internalize rule #1 of dealing with American doctors and clinics. You never, never, EVER cancel or change a medical appointment. For any reason. Ever.

The nicer people among you might be thinking, but what if I’m sick and my appointment is just for a check-up or other unrelated problem? These same nice people might also think, “Well, my symptoms are better this week or in general, I can probably just cancel that specialist appointment and free it up for someone else.”

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