Finding New Doctors

When you move to a new country, just like moving to a new area, you have to find new resources.  Everything is new… new grocery stores, new drug stores, new restaurants, and yes…new doctors.

Steve’s New Dentist

The need/urgency to find new doctors was initiated by Steve having broken off a crown at gum level right before we left the States.  He had attempted going to our old dentist but there wasn’t time for a fix before we left, so he had to wait and find a new dentist when we got to Genova.  We were pretty busy the first month here, and since he wasn’t in any pain, he let it slide for a little while. There are actually several professionals within our building including lawyers, financial advisors, and an assortment of doctors. 

Just like at home in the States, it is nice/optimum to have a referral. Our new friend, Angelica, recommended her family’s dentist and actually helped Steve get an early appointment. A week ago Tuesday was the day. Steve was a little on edge, thinking that he was probably going to have his tooth pulled and an implant installed, based on what his old dentist had said.  I had my trepidations as well. I was quietly mulling over if and how I would get him back to our apartment if he was in pain or not feeling well after an extraction. So, alone with our thoughts we headed over to the dentist’s office. It wasn’t that far, maybe 8 blocks to the east, but in an area that we hadn’t really explored before. We left about 45 minutes early just to make sure that we had plenty of time.

When we got to where the map indicated the office was located (No. 9) on Via Giovanni Tommaso, we were staring into a barbershop.  This can’t be right?!  We looked at each other.  We walked around the building, no other No. 9.  We looked across the street… the numbers were even and larger. We checked the dentist’s website again, the address was correct. I even called Angelica. She sent me back the same address I already had. She asked me to send her a photo. I sent a photo of the barbershop. She responded, that the photo showed the No. 9 in red, we needed No. 9 in black. We didn’t understand the difference.  I asked the guy in the barbershop, he didn’t speak English but I showed him the address and I thought I understood him to say it was back down the street to the west, past the farmacia.  We started walking that way looking at the building numbers. It still wasn’t making sense. By this time we were about to be late for the appointment. Somehow I accidently video dialed my friends Deb and Cindy (back in Galveston). Their faces appeared on my phone. It was noisy on the street and I apologized about my mistake, blew them kisses, and hung up the phone.

I then called the doctor’s office, I explained as best I could that I didn’t speak Italian very well, and my husband Steve had an appointment, “Edificio, troviamo dificile…Dov’e’?” (Building…we find difficult… Where is it?).  She did not speak English. There was a pause on the phone, then a man answered and started explaining where the office was located. “Go back west toward Brignole [train station], then across street from Idraulico Domanti.” I thanked him and we headed west, and quickly found the building No.9 in black lettering instead of red. (Note: The building numbering in Genova, Savona, and Florence, the building numbers are usually in black (sometimes blue in Florence) while the separate business entrances into the building have red lettering.

The office was on the second floor.  We pushed the doorbell and the door was unlocked electronically. We had arrived. We entered a small, but clean reception area that had a slight smell of rubbing alcohol in the air.  The receptionist indicated for us to have a seat.  Soon the doctor came out and introduced himself to both of us and Steve was whisked back to a room close by. It turned out that the receptionist was also the assistant/dental technician.  I could hear parts of the conversations and a lot of the sounds of what went on.  First X-rays were taken, and the recommended procedure and costs were discussed with Steve. I could only hear part of conversation, but I did hear the doctor ask Steve how long he was going to be in Genova. Steve answered that we lived here now.  The doctor seemed surprised. Then he asked Steve if he wanted to wait and schedule the first part of the procedure or if he wanted to start with the root canal today?  “Right now is fine,” Steve responded.  At that point, I took off my coat and started reading a book on my phone.  I wished I had brought my ear buds, because I could literally hear all the drilling, sucking noises reverberating down the hall… a bit unnerving! 

Two hours later, Steve had paid the 1^st installment and was making an appointment for taking mouth/teeth impressions to make the crown, and another appointment for the final placement. The cost for everything was 1,000 € (about a third of what it would have cost in the US with insurance). He had also told Steve, that if for any reason the crown failed, he would do an extraction/implant for free, his guarantee.  The doctor came back out and shook our hands again and we said our goodbyes to him and his assistant. 

I asked Steve how he felt after we left, “No pain at all – still numb!” Steve was pleased that the dentist saved his tooth – I was too!  We stopped by the store to buy some more “soft” foods for the next couple of days, just in case.  I sent Angelica a message thanking her again for the great recommendation!

Lori’s New Doctor

We had insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but with very high monthly payments and a high deductible.  My co-pay for my prescription usually cost me just under $50/month. I knew that I would run out of my prescription in a couple of months when we moved to Italy, so I wanted to get a refill. Insurance wouldn’t cover it because it was too soon since my last refill. I would have to pay out of pocket.  Walgreen’s personnel actually helped me find a coupon from the drug manufacturer to help cover the cost. I ended up paying just under $10, less than my usual prescription costs with insurance!

When we moved, I put off finding a doctor for the first month.  Then I started doing some research online to find an endocrinologist.  We had obtained GeoBlu insurance to be our interim insurance (Note: Very costly - Initial quote was about half what we ended up paying on monthly basis due to my previous breast cancer/pre-existing condition and age). When we get our Permesso di Soggiorno, we can then file for health coverage under the national plan. However, trying to find needed doctors on GeoBlu anywhere close by was not productive. I located a non-affiliated endocrinologist with very good reviews in the neighborhood and set up an appointment.

My appointment was this morning. Steve went with me and we headed down one of our favorite local streets, Via Caesarea (with lots of restaurants, bars, shops, and pop-up markets) turned a few corners and we were there! The receptionist/concierge for the building was very helpful. She pointed us up the stairs to the first floor office. We were about 15 minutes early, so the receptionist at the office showed us to the waiting room.  In about 5 minutes, the doctor came out himself and escorted me to his office/exam room with very modern equipment. After the more formal introductions in Italian, I asked if he spoke English… Yes he did!  I then explained that I was currently taking thyroid medication and would soon need refills on my prescription. I had brought my bottle of pills with me and handed it to him.  He asked if I had recent bloodwork. I pulled up my health information and showed him my last test results.  He explained that my results were a bit lower than what I needed for my age. He asked what symptoms I was having. Then he escorted me over to do a sonogram of my thyroid, right there in the room.  I’ve had only one sonogram done before on my thyroid, although I’ve been to about 4 different doctors specifically for my thyroid issues in the US. He showed me my thyroid and explained it was reduced in size (I had been told that after my first sonogram), but there were no nodules or other concerns.  He printed out a copy of the sonogram and attached it to the prescription he gave me for a slightly stronger dosage of medication. He instructed me to go to the Farmacia and give the prescription and his card to the “chemist.”  He also instructed me to get bloodwork in three months and to send him a photo of the results. He would decide at that time whether further adjustments were needed on my medications. He wanted to see me again in December for follow up evaluations and bone scan. He spent approximately 15 minutes with me, then shook my hand and escorted me to the receptionist who also spoke English.  I paid the bill which was 180€. In the US, I have paid that much as a co-pay (with my crappy insurance) for a doctor’s visit, not including a sonogram.  We then went to the Farmacia that he had recommended, also in the neighborhood and right down the street from our apartment. 

I handed the prescription to the “chemist” at the Farmacia.  She looked over my prescription, but appeared to be a bit confused. She did not speak English. She went into the back for a minute or two, then came out with another “chemist.”   He did speak English, he looked over my prescription.  I realized they were confused by a note on the prescription that indicated I was currently taking thyroid medicine at one dosage, but then the prescription listed a new medication at a higher dosage. I pulled out my pill bottle and showed them. They understood immediately, and pulled out a box of the new medication (a 50 day supply) and handed it to me. “Due-seisanta-cinque, per favore.”  I had already pulled out my credit card preparing to pay, but realized that I could pay with pocket change, literally… 2.65 €!  With the exchange rate almost equal… that meant my prescription cost close to $2.65 for a 50-day supply!  No waiting for prescription to be “filled,” or “waiting on insurance to verify.” 

 

So, summing it up, the doctors we have seen so far are extremely professional, polite, informative, highly skilled, Punctual, have modern equipment, hand have been able to speak English!  They are also less expensive overall, including treatments and medications, even without insurance!!!

I LOVE ITALY!!!

Ciao for now!!!