In Denmark there's a behandlings garanti, which means if the state hospital can't treat you within 30 days, they sent you to a private hospital and it still won't cost you anything
Ah, okay! That's what kicked in then. I still had to call them after a while to schedule my next step, but it was super nice that there was no additional wait time and it's good to know that it's an official policy. Thank you for teaching us this and dispelling the myth that wait times are longer etc :)
@@voodoophil I'm an American and honestly that's what I read it too at first lol, I was like WTF? so in Denmark if they can't treat you within 30 days you get decapitated as in there is no hope for you to get better no longer??!!
In Denmark its written into law that patients must be informed of the riscs and side effect of any treatment wether it's medicine, surgery ect. If a patient is unable to understand the information a legal guardian/parent or similar must be informed. A patient cannot give informed consent unless they known what they actually are agreeing to. That's why the surgeon explained specifically where the surgery was taking place and what anatomical structures nearby where at risc. To me it would be like choosing between different cars or mortgages without understanding the pro/cons between them.
I’m relatively sure it’s the same legal procedure in the States - I just meant there’s a little more of what we call “bedside manner” (not sure if there’s a Danish word for it) where the conversation is meant to inform, but also reassure the patient. It was rather blunt here, but of course it could have just been the surgeon 😃
@@RobeTrotting the English phrase bedside manner is also used here. I haven't heard a danish phrase for it. I think it's generally more straightforward and blunt here. Just the danish/scandi way :-)
@@RobeTrotting in Denmark the pre operation talks are not specifically made to reassure you, they are actually supposed to inform you, so you can make an informed decision. Normally the doctor will also tell you if there is a high risk of poking around in your brain or other not wanted outcomes, or a low risk, which might reassure you. 😁
I am going to have a minor operation in a few weeks. I had a conversation with the doctor, who is going to operate on me, and she informed me of the dangers...which was fine with me. I know, that there is no such thing as a risk-free surgical procedure. Even the removal of a mole could have unexpected consequences. So - if the doctor had said, that the procedure was risk-free, I would have lost my confidence in her.
One of the reasons you did not get a specific time for when the operation was completed, is that an emergency patient could come in, and that person would then have priority.
@@hannehanskov7560 You are correct unless it´s a "force majeure" event in which case national laws apply (wars, earthquakes etc.). This does beg the question, can a private hospital deny to treat a traffic accident victim because of a scheduled surgery if it happened just around the corner? I can´t actually find an answer to that question.
The unknown pickup time is probably because Danes don't like to make promises that they might not be able to keep. And when it comes to surgery all kinds of delays can happen. I also think the more blunt "This is what can go wrong" talk is also because we like to underpromise and overdeliver.
I had surgery two months ago having a lipoma removed from my cheekbone area. I'm much better now but my facial muscles and left eye are still slightly affected by the surgery. If the doctor hadn't told me about the potential risks of temporary or lasting side effects I would have been furious and super scared. Instead I had an idea about what could be happening and what to look out for. Definitely happy I didn't get a sugarcoated "nothing can go wrong"-treatment.
That's a good point. I think I needed something in between like, "this is extremely rare and I do this all the time, but these are the possible side effects you should know of in advance" - just a little more reassurance haha.
@@RobeTrotting You should've had my doctor then, he was a gem. But I know what you mean. Doctors can sometimes seem a little cynical because it's just another day in the office for them.
@@RobeTrotting What is your insurer, please? Sorry to appear to be nosey, but, I am curious to know if there are any insurers who cover Americans living abroad and more specifically in Scandinavia / Denmark. Also, how did you come by knowing about your new physician, please? Did your friends refer you?
@@SuiGenerisAbbie In Denmark, you’re covered by the health system, when you’re living here legally, paying taxes. So Derek doesn’t have to have health insurance in Denmark. It’s a tax-funded government-run system.
So happy that I live in Denmark when I needed my spine surgery and hip surgery. I cannot imagine the amount of money that would have cost me in the US 😅😱
It would have been a lot - like we discussed briefly, it's costing Derek's mom $2.000 (14.000 kr.) for an operation WITH insurance, plus a copay of about 100-150 kr. for each doctor's visit before and after surgery.
In the USA, medical bills are the #1 cause of having to file bankruptcy. Who needs financial stress when you are already dealing with a health issue?! You were fortunate to be in Denmark for your surgeries.
"But I don't think they where complaining" That made me laugh out loud. You guys are just great. As a dane, I just love to follow your journey in Denmark. So you just got another sub, cause I have to keep up with you two. And on another note. Your editing is getting better and better. Keep it up, and enjoy your stay.
Well... okay - they definitely complained once I woke up HAHA. So glad you're enjoying out channel and thanks for the kind words and subscribing! It really does mean a lot and makes the time worthwhile to read comments like this, so thanks again Per 🇩🇰😀
Thank you for sharing the experience with us, it is recognizable, and interesting - also the differences from the US. The *"underwear"* thing is probably for *hygiene* reasons (it's where the body lets out waste so the area is not guaranteed to be clean).
The thing about wait times in Denmark is that urgent things gets you an appointment right away. So waiting 30 days to get a check up on your sinuses seems pretty reasonable to me I once cut two of my fingers pretty deep, but it didnt hurt so I let it "heal" on its own for 2 weeks. I had severed two tendons and I got an appointment the same day I called and surgery the next morning. I was pretty happy with that except they didnt give me any painmedication to take him after they had sliced my fingers open and put a metal rod in there. I called the emergency phone and got some meds that way though
My doctor told me in vivid terms of the importance of the cat-scan and referred to a case in US where they had accidentally cut into the eye. Very assuring to know that someone else had taken one for the team. He's been of a training course in US, so that's probably why the procedures are identical.
Some time ago I had a surgery because my urethra was closing down..... On the way to the operation my big brother said to me "When they do surgery in that area can't they add 5cm to the length".... me who was in pain couldn't stop laughing anyway.... the female surgeon then told my brother "Well maybe you need the 5cm... I can take those from your brother"...... it was great humor before going to full anesthesia. 😄 . I actually liked they both did joke around before I had to get the surgery.
That's a great bedside manner haha. What a cool staff - I have to say that I really liked the surgeon and nurses that I encountered during my ordeal :) I hope all is well for you now "downstairs" - and for your brother too I guess haha.
The reason the doctor tells you all the details about the procedure and possible outcomes, side effects, risks etc., is that the law requires you as a patient to be able to give an informed consent. I worked as a medical secretary for a while, and wrote tons of patient records, and the doctor would always include in his dictation, "The patient has been informed about the results of the treatment including possible risks and side effects and the patient consents." :)
@@johndododoe1411 oh they can still be made responsible and a complaint can be filed with the Patient Board of Appeal who will then determine a compensation. It's just that.. If you don't know all the risks, you may agree to a treatment that you wouldn't otherwise, had you known them. So you may say afterwards, had I know in advance that this might happen, I would have said no thank you.
I have the same issue with my nose. I have to wait 6 months for an appointment. So it’s not all sunshine and rainbows here. If I am willing to use my own money I can get an appointment at a private clinic in a matter of no time. But since we pay sm taxes here for this, I refuse to pay for it again :)
You should do videos drinking something like a beer/smoothie/coffee, every video looks like if its a conversation in a bar/coffee store :D Love the videos!
I enjoyed this very much, having had the very same procedure as Derek just yesterday, as well as back surgery a year ago. I agree with most of the commentary..except for the wait times. For both of my surgeries I had to wait significant time (2 months for sinus, 3 months for back surgery) which surprised me as my specialist and hospital were private. In addition, interim time between CT scans and follow visits for analysis was 2 weeks in both case (to determine if surgery would be necessary). In the end, wall was fine. Perhaps I just hit times when there was high demand. No system is perfect, but I do feel well taken care of in this system. Every situation is different.
While it IS true that all your records are stored online, it's not guaranteed that everything follows you if you move to Jylland. Hospitals are not under that state, but under "Regions". We have 5 of these. Each region has chosen a different supplier of online medical records - and of course (hey, it's Denmark after all) - these systems do NOT easily interchange data.
My insurance in the US doesn't require a referral for any specialist. I do IT work for my ENT doc, I just happened to mention one day that my nose was stopped up, he said "let's take a look", took one look up my nose, and asked when I wanted to schedule the surgery. It was good that I did it when I did, the next year my insurance changed and he's now out of network.
Yeah, the network out-of-network stuff makes things annoying, but things can often move faster in the States. I also have to really advocate for myself here and almost tell my doctor what I need, and there’s less monitoring/preventative care (like I’ve maybe had my weight and blood pressure recorded 2 times in 7 years) but I guess that’s how you cover the whole country 🤷🏻♂️
@@IvanKristiansen I'd already hit my out of pocket max that year, so for that surgery 100%. No, it's nowhere close to as good as what you've got in Denmark.
As a Dane living in Canada, but having my elderly mother still in Denmark, i am happy to hear it is good. I have a similar positive experience here in Canada, except
My Brother in Denmark, now retired, sister in Law was for 40 years part of Roskilde Hospital Staff. Yes, they are very to the point. My brother thend to lecture me a lot. Keeps me out off trouble, in the States. Fun, listening.🇩🇰🇺🇸🙏👌🌷
There are a good reason for why Danish doctors don't give a sugar coated version of things. In Denmark are there a law that require the patient to give a informed consent. In other words the law require for the patient to consent to the procedure with the knowledge of the risks.
But most of the time they don’t warn and follow the law. If they did, I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair. They constantly makes mistakes. It’s so frustrating and meaningless
@@hendemedstokken Everybody makes mistakes even the best ones. No one intends to have people suffer unnecessarily. Every surgical procedure has risks and can go wrong regardless of warnings, laws and consent. I've just been to see a specialist who explained to me all the pros and cons of undergoing surgery on my cervical spine which could possibly lessen the severe chronic pain I'd suffer for years. I decided not to go ahead because one of the risks was paralysis (even though he said it was extremely rare and he hadn't known a case in his professional life) and instead chose to live with the pain. We all have to live with the consequences of the choices we make and we have no control over it a lot of times.
I found this information from University of Copenhagen: “Eye specialists and ear, nose and throat specialists are specialist doctors whom you can always call to make an appointment, without prior re- ferral from your GP”. So, please do not hesitate to call you eye specialist directly!
My husband underwent surgery in his sinuses. he was scanned. and should the operating State had no times, so we were sent to private hospital. after 4 days he had a time. The operation took 3 hours and he was home again. Now I'm just waiting for him to work again. The sofa gets worn. It seems to me as a Dane that everything in the USA is about avoiding being sued.
Thank you 😀 it's hard to explain even in English but there were tissue growing inside of my nose that they cut out and then they widened the inside so that I can breathe better.
Since being from Germany the health care system could be better in some details, but at least everybody is insured. Either in a privat insurance, if your salary is over a certain amount, or you are in a mandatory insurance plan. Back in 1994 during our vacation in the west of the US my wife bend her ankle while jumping over a fence, and it swelled significantly. So we went to a hospital in Longview, WA where she got all the treatment she needed. We had to pay the doctors bill (ca. 800 $), but we got the money back from our travel insurance. For the insurance we paid 100 DM (ca. 50 Euro), and we got the money from our insurance even before it was charged on my credit card. Most funny thing was after we told the receptionist what had happend, jumping a fence at the Portland, OR race track after the end of the indycar race to get to the victory lane, they asked if we need a lawyer to sue the race track..... Last year in September while on vacation in Hirtshals I had to go to the dentist because of massive pain (I slept with my check on a cool pack from the freezer during the night). On the sunday morning I called the emergency dentist and they told me to come in. The doctor diagnosed the issue and then started the root surgery (this one was planed back home for 10 days later anyway). I had to pay a bill, about 1300 DKR, but I got the money back from my health insurance in Germany really fast. Only thing they paid only what it would hace cost in Germany, but that was most of the amount. New to me was that the doctor told me he will prescribe me some antibiotics. When i got through with the assistant about the bill, I asked for the prescribtion, to go to the pharmacy. She said "Just go to the pharmacy and show your insurance card, they will know what you should get." This we don't have in Germany yet.
In the US prescription of some type of morphin for post surgery pain, is quite normal. In Denmark paracetamol or ibuprofen is the standard treatment for post surgery pain. And only in some cases patients get a few pills of morphin. The reason is the risk of getting addictive. And addition of morphin is also way more common in the US than in Denmark.
I have been given morphine after surgery once (in my ear) but not with me home. It turned out i reacted badly to the morphine so when the did my other ear they just gave me paracetamol i remember it hurting a little but bot to much
In most cases post-procedure medication tends to be Percocet. I used to get small scripts of it after dental procedures and in most cases I didn't need it (twice out of... a lot). Nowadays you're more likely to get Ibuprofen or Naproxen, which is uhhhh unfortunate for people (like myself) who grew up with chronic pain conditions and used all the effectiveness out of them. Try to tell an ER doctor OTC-accessible medications don't work and you get treated like a bloody junkie.
Oxycontin abuse is the one in the States that has created the opioid problem. It's definitely been abused by physicians and for-profit pharmaceutical companies. Limited painkillers for 3 days after surgery is a bit different than how they can be abused in the US. There is definitely a middle-ground :)
When I was about to have my appendix removed, the surgeon explained in detail how the procedure was to be performed (as usual). Of course, I think that's a really good thing. However, as I was lying there in pain, all I was thinking was _Come on! Just cut me open!!!_ 😄
I need that sugery too, my sister also got it, ive met a lot who had it, so yea it seems common to need it :o I always forget that you dont need a referal to go the nasal doc! Most small procedures dont have much waiting time i find, and then there is the specialists that have like half a year to a years waiting time if not more 😵💫 Some insurances or work places gives you acces to private hospitals and some procedures can be better to get done there as waiting times can be heavly reduced 🤷♀️
Just an educational fact: The number one reason for personal bankruptcy in the USA, is people having had a medical treatment (eg. Surgery) having problems paying. I believe (can easily be checked) that approx 50% of cases in which US-house owners are losing their property due to not being able to pay mortgages, are down to families not being able to pay mortgage due to medical bills. Goes without saying: Not the situation in Denmark! Maybe worth taking into consideration when comparing :) Best regards, Michael
Re. painkillers: In Denmark, opiate painkillers are highly, highly restricted. When I was at the hospital with great pains, they gave me 1 (one) opiate painkiller and told me they would NOT give me many of these. More painful, yes, but at least you don't get addicted to opiates. I guess the Danish healthcare system operates under the 'no pain, no gain' philosophy, hahaha.
Yes, all good now. I only needed the nose bandage for about 24 hours and the airways are all good now - massive improvement! Thanks for asking and watching :)
The 'underwear thang' It has nothing to do with nudity ...has to do with being hygienic 😉 Glad things went well, Derek - now you're nose buddies, too 😂 hello from Hundested 🌸 🌱
Ah, that makes sense - glad to know that now. Super happy that I'm breathing better and really well recovered. Hope your summer is going well in Hundested 😀🇩🇰
The reason they dont say an exact time in the hospital is maybe because if there is a person who needs a surgery asap. they go first, and other operations that are not critically can be delayed.
Can you share a little bit about walk-ins for healthcare? I know a lot my doctors even the specialists will see walk-in patients if they come into the office early or find a time that day? If you have to reschedule, is it hard to get another appointment?
Our doctor gave us his cell phone number and we always get seen same day by texting him - he’s amazing. It would be the same if we walked-in I’m sure and a lot of things he just handles (like prescription refills etc) via text message. Specialists you may wait longer if you don’t have private insurance through work and use the public system but you can go to one in another town (since we live in Copenhagen there can often be a delay for non-emergency specialist appointments).
You have to be your own health coordinator in Denmark. Be assertive and double check everything and make extra sure that the treatment plan is followed 100%. Just a tip from someone who has been enough of it.
So true, thanks for adding this. "Be your own health coordinator" is such good advice and what I was told by people a lot whenever I said "should I call, it's been a week" etc
I like your take on our bedside maners 😂 most Danes find the direct all in open approach more comforting and reasuring than the sugar coated American version 😂
Yeah, there may be a nice in between since there could be some shocking information delivered - direct but with sympathy I guess is the perfect mix (but not sugar coated).
as a Dane to me is great when you sick, you don't have to worry about money just about getting well again. it just take so much off your shoulders and very good treatment. yes they would tell you what worst case can be just in case. we want to open about it not to scarey you but to make sure you know it not a risk free thing. sure it can be a little too much for some it just what most here want total honsty about what happing.
I had two lumps removed in 2019 and they gave me some sexy boxershorts to wear...I guess maybe I was lucky... My pre talk with the surgeon was also very direct but he did ask me if this was my first time and when I said yes he made me feel very reassured that he had done thousands of these surgeries. The operation team itself was so sweet, making me feel as comfortable as possible, stroking my arm...etc. For a first time under it was a great experience...and I gave them a good laugh telling them that I dreamt about tractors. I have nothing to do with farm life nor have I ever been interested in tractors, so that was so weird XD Oh yeah and I had a mole near the operation area and the surgeon actually took his time to find my husband to ask if it was ok that he removed it.
That's so great - and I have to say the team that operated on me was just as kind and lovely. I definitely appreciated the details of the pre-surgery meeting, I just found it really funny how specific we got into the worst case scenarios haha.
It is very difficult how people react to painkillers,some feel fine but they are so high we almost have to tie them to a chair because they wont sit or lay down and their balance are completely off. And some get sick and throw up though they have just had minor things done, or get dizzy and are about to faint. Most dont but the hospitals prefer to keep you untill we feel certain that nothing too bad is coming.
I cannot remember if you've covered this, but I'm going to ask anyway. What was it like, when you first moved here, and found out that everyone introduces themselves by their first names? That here in Denmark, we don't use Mr./Mrs./Miss/Dr. etc. Did it take some time to get used to or was it a nice change?
That's not SUPER different, at least we don't notice it being very different from where we grew up in the States. It's a bit more formal in the South (at least I think, we never lived there but have visited quite a bit). The northeast is pretty informal besides occasions with some type of formality.
@@RobeTrotting I guess it's just because when you hear children addressing adults or people talking to their doctor, they never use their first names. Even as a child in the 80's, we were all on first names terms with adults and teachers etc.
I have a very serious disease, and I'm not rich so I would probably go banqrupt and die in the US. I live in Norway. I have a general doc and the specialist and they both refer my where ever. It can be a bit confusing sometimes, but it's also very convenient when I need more meds because the national portal for the general docs has a very simple procedure for most things. The specialist is a private hospital and doesn't have the same privileges as the my GP. I haven't had any need to call the CT or what ever to get the result. They send it on to my GP or specialist and they judge the result usually. I don't know why they do that, but perhaps they feel insecure dealing with patient. Any appointments with other services is being set up as needed and there is no need for me to worry about it. It might have something to do with my disease, there is usually no problem finding something that needs to be fixed, and I just want to get on with my life sort of :)
Well, I would say as a pretty "old school" typed dane. That getting the cold hard facts before surgery, is the best thing. For an example, I just got diagnosed with 3 dislocated discs in my lower back. (Im a 23yo windowcleaner, and former mover) the Doctor told me the pros and the cons of getting the operation. His very direct form of explaining made me try conservative treatment with an fysiotherapist😁 Kinda long, I know sorry. Just wanted it out there😎
As a Canadian born in Denmark, the idea that during a stressful medical treatment I would have to worry about the cost, and whether insurance would cover it is bizarre.
Yeah, we have both always had insurance - so wouldn't have worried about being able to afford this. I think it's more that there's a lack of transparency so you may have a deductible or some other rules where some payment may be out of pocket, even just $20 for the follow up appointment. BUT, remember that we paid far less in taxes to just have private insurance - like in Switzerland for example. It's a simple process to have a surgery and know it will be billed to insurance, but as with any corporation, some do not have the best interest of the consumer in mind and they do some shady things.
You guys were lucky to have good insurance in the US, I think you should have mentioned the life crushing bills some folks get in the US, when they don't have insurance, compared to the safety of social welfare.
In regards toe medicine in the USA contra Denmark, is we are more careful with handing out medicine that we might not need. Where as in the USA a LOT of people are addicted to strong painkillers or other kinds of prescription medicine, because its handed out more carelessly (IMO)
Danish straightforwardness in my experience is this this and that could go wrong, but it usually doesn't, so you should be fine. But especially in medicine, I think doctors are told to be brutally honest with what could go wrong even if unlikely, we are after all human, anything could happen. But for me, the best thing is that treatment is free, and you don't have to see the bill. And I think it's super reasonable that we have to pay for medicine, but that's pocket money in comparison.
Yes, I really appreciated the facts - that's pretty similar in the States too - it was just a very graphic explanation haha. Overall, it was a very good experience though and I am so happy I had it done here in Denmark :)
Paracetamol is Tylenol so it's a tiny bit stronger than aspirin and no one would give a patient right out of surgery aspirin bc it'd make you bleed nonstop and you wouldn't heal well.
I have lived in two countries in Europe after having lived decades in the U.S. and have now experienced three healthcare systems. I have some highly significant points of difference between the U.S. and Europe: even having good employer-based healthcare insurance, healthcare in the U.S. cost me LOTS MORE money compared to Europe -- healthcare is just much less expensive in Europe; people living in Europe have NO STRESS when they need any sort of healthcare; American politicians LIE about healthcare in other countries with more socialized healthcare in order to protect the profits of their donors in the healthcare "industry"; if you are unconscious, no professional or admistrator will be searching your wallet for your insurance card; urgent but non-threatening health situations will be handled quickly at the emergency room of the nearest hospital, even if you cannot see your primary care physician immediately. In summation, U.S. healthcare is an expensive disaster compared to European healthcare, and U.S. healthcare is simply geared to protect the profits of healthcare providers and the legislators they bribe with their campaign contributions.
It is because of the taxes and state, mate. In Sweden, all chip in to pay taxes to the state - the state then pour those money into schools, healthcare and to elderly care homes. It does exist private schools, healthcare and also for the elderly. But ut doesn't cost that much more.
Probably wouldn’t even go to the first doctor because it would be paid 100% out of pocket. So in that case, it would be wise to get insurance through a new job or applying for government coverage (Medicare/Medicare).
Guys. as an Americans living in DK For the first time I have hard time on how do you file the US income tax? Have you made the video on it. I would love it.
Go to the US government IRS site and there are all sorts of info and videos on different tax issues. Go to the section on US citizens abroad and you can have all the forms to download as well. You may need your Danish tax info too as you need to give them (IRS) your income/tax credits/benefits etc. (from Danish employer) to calculate the tax liability. If you find it too complicated the first time, hire a US tax preparer there - US Embassy could help you find one.
as someone currently living in Denmark and hopefully trying to get lots of my problems checked + hoping to have a top surgery, at the moment im really really happy at the fact i do not live in the us. all these different laws making things difficult (gender affirmative surgery if i remember correct is one that’s gotten difficult recently) and if i remember correct in denmark they just want you to be 18 for the decision, though at the moment i do not have an idea if they need confirmations on like gender dysphoria or stuff like that since i have not started the process of trying to work towards getting the top surgery. currently trying to work towards bettering my back, my jaw, and most of all, my lungs :D haven’t had any scans yet though since i just recently started going to the doctors like the start of this year and had to wait about 2 months for the doctors note from my old place to arrive here? i was assigned to physical therapy (imo,,,, did not help me it felt very very painful, some movements are very uncomfortable for me bc of my back and walking for a period of time will make my back very painful) so i am hoping to soon be able to have a scan or 2 done and thinking top surgery will also add onto helping my back possibly and i have been trying to research a bit about top surgery myself and i would say some of the side affects and the healing process (read it can be 2 weeks to 3 weeks if irc) is gonna be worth it to feel so much better ^-^ even though i currently am at a foster place, they are pretty like supportive i’d say (just sometimes forget but like to be remembered when they do) and when we go to any doctor, any like person for some part of health they will tell them for me and it seems so far everyone has been okay with it so im very very hopeful for the process of getting a top surgery :D
Oh wow, I hope you get the best possible care and it's life changing for you. It's really sad how trans people are being used as targets and political pawns in the US. I'm glad you're in Denmark too and wish you all the success on your journey and surgery. Big hugs from us in CPH 😀🇩🇰
In America, it's all about the bottom line which is money. Insurers there are efficient in getting you the medical procedures you need because it's money in their pockets unless the procedures are the ones they deem not eligible for coverage (yeah, they will find one). Then they will bill you for every little thing under the sun while trying to get you out of the hospital (and the bed you are recuperating on) asap. I have had the experience of being chucked out while still a bit groggy from the general anaesthesia that was given for the (minor but serious enough) surgery as the procedure was done as 'outpatient' and they wouldn't let me stay overnight! On the other hand, having taken up residence in the UK and availed myself to the NHS, I don't have to worry about any health/medical issues costing me an arm and a leg. However, trying to get an appointment, see the same GP, gain access to specialists are a different animal altogether. So many layers of bureaucratic crap you have to get through - I still am being 'monitored' for a medical condition that they finally decided might need intervention, meaning surgery, and it's been 5 years! I have also been sent to 5 different hospitals for 2 different major medical issues and every effing time I have to regale my medical history because apparently the hospitals belong to different NHS Trusts and they don't share patient info! It's enough to shoot somebody purely out of frustration. Seriously, I may have to consider marrying a Danish national and move there just to get half-decent health care for my old age. hahaha
2k that's craaaazy many money. With the amount of times my mom's been in the hospital, I can see why low to mid income families can just crumble. I hope in my lifetime the US comes around and make things right. It's so cutthroat. make it or break it, it's kinda unreal to danish people.
@@RobeTrotting Bernie would have been the answer. I get teary eyes thinking about that old man just wanting what's best for everybody. Nobody would argue that we have the perfect answer in Denmark, but at least we try. Most of us, disregard our politicians... -.-
I sorry the medical files are not shared - but your GP (family doctors) files can be shared but the hospital files are often not shared between the regions !
Be aware those polyps can come again. I have had three surgeries, plus 2 ambulant. I am tired off these polyps. BTW, I am 60 now and retired, so they don't bother me so much anymore.
Yes, they warned me on that too. I’m following all the recommendations to make sure they don’t but mentally I’m prepared to have to go back for the same procedure at some point in my life. so far so good though 🤞
I’ve been waiting 3 months to call and see if my bruised/sprained/fractured/broken rib would stop hurting on its own because the bill for JUST the X-ray would be hundreds of dollars, let alone any treatment. I’ve waited YEARS to see if marks on my skin were cancerous through untrained observation because even walking into the door of a specialist is going to cost me $200 if I’m lucky enough to not need care. During pregnancy, my wife had an inconclusive test due to an issue with the test. We still got billed $500 for it, and would need to go back and pay again to try again. I pay over $500 a month to insure my family and it’s only that LITTLE because we are in a high deductible plan. I’d take waiting for an X-Ray over needing to compare fever level to bank account level before calling the doc. (As it’s gonna cost me $125 for the doctor to double the dose of Childrens Tylenol)
There is Medicaid (and it is not perfect) for those who are very poor, but for most with “middle” incomes, the cost can be crippling. Another issue that arises is affordability of prescription drugs. There are those (especially among the elderly or disabled) who find they have to choose between taking their medications or eating, paying a bill, etc. Some will try to make their medications “stretch” by taking less than the recommended dose. And then there are the “out-of-network” surprises when you do have a procedure. 🙄
Hi, I'm Danish but I've been moving back and forth between the US and Dk for the past six years. I have extensive experiences with both health care systems due to some health issues and I wanna add that in Denmark the wait time for treatment really depends on what it is you need treatment for. Even pre-pandemic the wait time for tests and treatment for some of the things I need treatment for could (and still can) take a year if not more. I'm a socialist by US standards (and probably also by Danish standards, as well) and so I'm pro-free health care, and not coming from a place where I prefer private health care. But your experience is not representative of the Danish health care system in general (I blame the right-winged governments in the 2000s who started the massive cuts and privatization on the health care sector that we now see the effects of today).
In Denmark When my mum was 5 in 1968 She had the surgery. She tells this horror story of beeing without her parents and after the surgery a nun comes in with a bowl of porridge and a hose. She puts both things down on the little bedside table, crosses her arms and say: if you dont wanna eat ill use the that and points to the hose... She then stood there and watched like a hawk till my mum had finnished the porridge. Poor little thing 😔Thank God things have changed huh? Pain wise one 600 mg ibuprofen and two 200 mg paracetamol 3 times a day is a good try. (My mums side of the family are basically all nurses and psyciatric nurses so Im indoctrinated with “viden og fagudtryk ved middagsbordet” 😊
Literal? Yes, the Danes say it as it is 🤗. I try silly punny jokes (in Danish) on my Danish cousin but they often don't really work because she takes everything I say as literal "truth!!"
Yes! It's so confusing sometimes because Danes definitely have a sense of joking and what we call "sarcasm" in America but it's often misunderstood. In this case, I just didn't need ALLLLLL the details haha.
@@RobeTrotting No, agree with you! I'm an English-Dane 🇬🇧🇩🇰 here in UK, so I think my version of "silly jokes" might be slightly different from your's🤣
That is a huge microphone. A very huge microphone. Very - very huge. Regards Trump. Jokes aside. Nice your brain transplant went well. Sorry sorry they told you it was a nose surgery. But to be honest you seem more calm now. More adjusted to the Danish society. More Dannebrog like. So a good outcome of the surgery. Just kidding. Really a nice video
I don’t like the sugar coating I prefer the direct approach but this is Australia, the Doctors are not adding up the Dollars per minute that they can get out of anybody.
I understand the need for a little sugarcoating, but in Denmark they HAVE to tell you about the risks about the surgery. I think that the Doctors don't think they need better bedside maners, because they will not loose any business and they have to be efficient.
True, and I think the laws are the same in the states but the bedside manner is a little more… reassuring or gentle. It’s also that American customer service mentality that seeps into almost all professions.
Yes, and it has proved very problematic. It’s only used in two regions and the doctors and nurses detest it. They have a much better platform in Jutland. The problem apparently is that the American system is geared towards billing.
Yeah an when they introduced it in region hovedstaden, region Sjælland and now Norway productivity plummeted. Epic needs more doctors, nurses and other personal and at the same time it-cost skyrocketed. A medical system that service the insurance company is one of the reasons the US is more expensive.
What's scary is that I as a disabled person( autistic, ADD, mental illness etc) I would probably be dead in America.I know you have Medicaid, but the healthcare system really seems to be all about money. ( Not every healthcare professional, but the system). So scary how America treats mentally ill and disabled people.
LMAO! Michael. After 12 years.., it's time to have your nose serviced 🤣 ! Derek's is a "Ferrari" 😎 ! Just kidding 😊 ! Your "sniffers" look good 👍 ! I had a "Gastric Sleeve" operation a few years ago. Before hand I was warned of a risk, but felt totally safe, since these surgeons and nurses where totally experiendced and pretty much didn't do much else. Yeah! We don't do that much "sueing" here! We're pretty much responsible for our own life choices! Listen guys! I pay my taxes, you pay your taxes. I have absolutly NO problem paying taxes towards your "nose" operation. Just like you are paying for any operation or test, I might need! And I don't even know you guys! It's a "One Hand washes the other" kind of deal 😊 ! Danish Hospital underwear is the WORST 🙄 ! I understand why you would take it off 🤣! Sorry for my post's being SO long 🙄🙄!
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
In Denmark there's a behandlings garanti, which means if the state hospital can't treat you within 30 days, they sent you to a private hospital and it still won't cost you anything
Ah, okay! That's what kicked in then. I still had to call them after a while to schedule my next step, but it was super nice that there was no additional wait time and it's good to know that it's an official policy. Thank you for teaching us this and dispelling the myth that wait times are longer etc :)
@@voodoophil HAHAHA Well Maybe back when we were vikings😂
@@voodoophil yeaks...🤣🤣
@@voodoophil I'm an American and honestly that's what I read it too at first lol, I was like WTF? so in Denmark if they can't treat you within 30 days you get decapitated as in there is no hope for you to get better no longer??!!
It's called "Frit Sygehus valg" if the wait time exceeds the time described in "behandlings garanti"
In Denmark its written into law that patients must be informed of the riscs and side effect of any treatment wether it's medicine, surgery ect. If a patient is unable to understand the information a legal guardian/parent or similar must be informed.
A patient cannot give informed consent unless they known what they actually are agreeing to.
That's why the surgeon explained specifically where the surgery was taking place and what anatomical structures nearby where at risc.
To me it would be like choosing between different cars or mortgages without understanding the pro/cons between them.
I’m relatively sure it’s the same legal procedure in the States - I just meant there’s a little more of what we call “bedside manner” (not sure if there’s a Danish word for it) where the conversation is meant to inform, but also reassure the patient. It was rather blunt here, but of course it could have just been the surgeon 😃
@@RobeTrotting the English phrase bedside manner is also used here. I haven't heard a danish phrase for it. I think it's generally more straightforward and blunt here. Just the danish/scandi way :-)
@@RobeTrotting in Denmark the pre operation talks are not specifically made to reassure you, they are actually supposed to inform you, so you can make an informed decision. Normally the doctor will also tell you if there is a high risk of poking around in your brain or other not wanted outcomes, or a low risk, which might reassure you. 😁
I am going to have a minor operation in a few weeks. I had a conversation with the doctor, who is going to operate on me, and she informed me of the dangers...which was fine with me. I know, that there is no such thing as a risk-free surgical procedure. Even the removal of a mole could have unexpected consequences. So - if the doctor had said, that the procedure was risk-free, I would have lost my confidence in her.
But sadly they rarely inform about the risks!!
Fun fact: Denmarks health care expenses in pct of GDP is 9,96. (And we cover everyone). US - its 19 %
One of the reasons you did not get a specific time for when the operation was completed, is that an emergency patient could come in, and that person would then have priority.
Not in a private hospital.
@@hannehanskov7560 You are correct unless it´s a "force majeure" event in which case national laws apply (wars, earthquakes etc.). This does beg the question, can a private hospital deny to treat a traffic accident victim because of a scheduled surgery if it happened just around the corner? I can´t actually find an answer to that question.
The unknown pickup time is probably because Danes don't like to make promises that they might not be able to keep. And when it comes to surgery all kinds of delays can happen.
I also think the more blunt "This is what can go wrong" talk is also because we like to underpromise and overdeliver.
I had surgery two months ago having a lipoma removed from my cheekbone area. I'm much better now but my facial muscles and left eye are still slightly affected by the surgery. If the doctor hadn't told me about the potential risks of temporary or lasting side effects I would have been furious and super scared. Instead I had an idea about what could be happening and what to look out for. Definitely happy I didn't get a sugarcoated "nothing can go wrong"-treatment.
That's a good point. I think I needed something in between like, "this is extremely rare and I do this all the time, but these are the possible side effects you should know of in advance" - just a little more reassurance haha.
@@RobeTrotting You should've had my doctor then, he was a gem. But I know what you mean. Doctors can sometimes seem a little cynical because it's just another day in the office for them.
I have had melanoma twice, and had numerous skin cancer surgeries on my face, and etc.
@@RobeTrotting What is your insurer, please? Sorry to appear to be nosey, but, I am curious to know if there are any insurers who cover Americans living abroad and more specifically in Scandinavia / Denmark.
Also, how did you come by knowing about your new physician, please? Did your friends refer you?
@@SuiGenerisAbbie In Denmark, you’re covered by the health system, when you’re living here legally, paying taxes. So Derek doesn’t have to have health insurance in Denmark. It’s a tax-funded government-run system.
So happy that I live in Denmark when I needed my spine surgery and hip surgery. I cannot imagine the amount of money that would have cost me in the US 😅😱
It would have been a lot - like we discussed briefly, it's costing Derek's mom $2.000 (14.000 kr.) for an operation WITH insurance, plus a copay of about 100-150 kr. for each doctor's visit before and after surgery.
@@RobeTrotting It's crazy
That's why the people in the u.s. eat pain killers like sweeties before they finally get surgery.
In the USA, medical bills are the #1 cause of having to file bankruptcy. Who needs financial stress when you are already dealing with a health issue?! You were fortunate to be in Denmark for your surgeries.
@@williamjones4716 It may be free but not necessarily good. Veterans Administration is well known for being grossly underfunded.
"But I don't think they where complaining" That made me laugh out loud. You guys are just great. As a dane, I just love to follow your journey in Denmark. So you just got another sub, cause I have to keep up with you two. And on another note. Your editing is getting better and better. Keep it up, and enjoy your stay.
Well... okay - they definitely complained once I woke up HAHA. So glad you're enjoying out channel and thanks for the kind words and subscribing! It really does mean a lot and makes the time worthwhile to read comments like this, so thanks again Per 🇩🇰😀
@@RobeTrotting LOL, That's twice you made me laugh in one video/response. Can't help but love you.
When I got diagnosed with a chronic disease in 2008, they could find relevant information from my journal written in 1976.
That's fantastic. Something the US could adopt even if they resist offering national coverage.
Pleased that in both countries, your surgeries went well! 💪
Thank you Michael :)
I'm happy to hear your surgery went well 💖
Thank you so much :)
Thank you for sharing the experience with us, it is recognizable, and interesting - also the differences from the US. The *"underwear"* thing is probably for *hygiene* reasons (it's where the body lets out waste so the area is not guaranteed to be clean).
That actually makes a lot of sense. Thanks for watching and adding this 😊🇩🇰
The thing about wait times in Denmark is that urgent things gets you an appointment right away. So waiting 30 days to get a check up on your sinuses seems pretty reasonable to me
I once cut two of my fingers pretty deep, but it didnt hurt so I let it "heal" on its own for 2 weeks. I had severed two tendons and I got an appointment the same day I called and surgery the next morning. I was pretty happy with that except they didnt give me any painmedication to take him after they had sliced my fingers open and put a metal rod in there. I called the emergency phone and got some meds that way though
My doctor told me in vivid terms of the importance of the cat-scan and referred to a case in US where they had accidentally cut into the eye. Very assuring to know that someone else had taken one for the team. He's been of a training course in US, so that's probably why the procedures are identical.
Ah, that makes a lot of sense. I'm glad I had the necessary risk information, but it was with a lot of details I could have been spared haha.
Some time ago I had a surgery because my urethra was closing down..... On the way to the operation my big brother said to me "When they do surgery in that area can't they add 5cm to the length".... me who was in pain couldn't stop laughing anyway.... the female surgeon then told my brother "Well maybe you need the 5cm... I can take those from your brother"...... it was great humor before going to full anesthesia. 😄 . I actually liked they both did joke around before I had to get the surgery.
That's a great bedside manner haha. What a cool staff - I have to say that I really liked the surgeon and nurses that I encountered during my ordeal :)
I hope all is well for you now "downstairs" - and for your brother too I guess haha.
The reason the doctor tells you all the details about the procedure and possible outcomes, side effects, risks etc., is that the law requires you as a patient to be able to give an informed consent. I worked as a medical secretary for a while, and wrote tons of patient records, and the doctor would always include in his dictation, "The patient has been informed about the results of the treatment including possible risks and side effects and the patient consents." :)
If the doctors don't warn you, they are responsible for those things going wrong. It's a CYA liability thing.
@@johndododoe1411 oh they can still be made responsible and a complaint can be filed with the Patient Board of Appeal who will then determine a compensation. It's just that.. If you don't know all the risks, you may agree to a treatment that you wouldn't otherwise, had you known them. So you may say afterwards, had I know in advance that this might happen, I would have said no thank you.
I have the same issue with my nose. I have to wait 6 months for an appointment. So it’s not all sunshine and rainbows here. If I am willing to use my own money I can get an appointment at a private clinic in a matter of no time. But since we pay sm taxes here for this, I refuse to pay for it again :)
Which appointment are you waiting for?
You should do videos drinking something like a beer/smoothie/coffee, every video looks like if its a conversation in a bar/coffee store :D
Love the videos!
I enjoyed this very much, having had the very same procedure as Derek just yesterday, as well as back surgery a year ago. I agree with most of the commentary..except for the wait times. For both of my surgeries I had to wait significant time (2 months for sinus, 3 months for back surgery) which surprised me as my specialist and hospital were private. In addition, interim time between CT scans and follow visits for analysis was 2 weeks in both case (to determine if surgery would be necessary). In the end, wall was fine. Perhaps I just hit times when there was high demand. No system is perfect, but I do feel well taken care of in this system. Every situation is different.
Another awesome informative video my friends. ❤️🇩🇰
“Well, I don’t think they were complaining.” 😂😂 glad it went well, Derek. Wish you both a great summer 🍓🍉🍦🍹☀️
10:06 You mean pricier hah! :D I really liked (In the US=LOVED) the editing in this video! So funny!
Haha thank you! 😊
Injured my eye about a week ago. it didn't even take 15 hours from the time I was at the doctor's until I was lying on the table getting my eye fixed.
Wow, that’s great - hope you’re healing ❤️🩹
@@RobeTrotting Thanks a lot guys :-)
The doctors say it will be as good as new
While it IS true that all your records are stored online, it's not guaranteed that everything follows you if you move to Jylland. Hospitals are not under that state, but under "Regions". We have 5 of these. Each region has chosen a different supplier of online medical records - and of course (hey, it's Denmark after all) - these systems do NOT easily interchange data.
My insurance in the US doesn't require a referral for any specialist. I do IT work for my ENT doc, I just happened to mention one day that my nose was stopped up, he said "let's take a look", took one look up my nose, and asked when I wanted to schedule the surgery. It was good that I did it when I did, the next year my insurance changed and he's now out of network.
Yeah, the network out-of-network stuff makes things annoying, but things can often move faster in the States. I also have to really advocate for myself here and almost tell my doctor what I need, and there’s less monitoring/preventative care (like I’ve maybe had my weight and blood pressure recorded 2 times in 7 years) but I guess that’s how you cover the whole country 🤷🏻♂️
@@IvanKristiansen I'd already hit my out of pocket max that year, so for that surgery 100%.
No, it's nowhere close to as good as what you've got in Denmark.
I'm so glad your sinuses are feeling better and how cool is it that your allergies are under control!! Miss you guys :)
Thanks Mom! It's so much better and we miss you too! 😀
As a Dane living in Canada, but having my elderly mother still in Denmark, i am happy to hear it is good. I have a similar positive experience here in Canada, except
My Brother in Denmark, now retired, sister in Law was for 40 years part of Roskilde Hospital Staff. Yes, they are very to the point. My brother thend to lecture me a lot. Keeps me out off trouble, in the States. Fun, listening.🇩🇰🇺🇸🙏👌🌷
There are a good reason for why Danish doctors don't give a sugar coated version of things. In Denmark are there a law that require the patient to give a informed consent. In other words the law require for the patient to consent to the procedure with the knowledge of the risks.
But most of the time they don’t warn and follow the law. If they did, I wouldn’t be in a wheelchair. They constantly makes mistakes. It’s so frustrating and meaningless
@@hendemedstokken Everybody makes mistakes even the best ones. No one intends to have people suffer unnecessarily. Every surgical procedure has risks and can go wrong regardless of warnings, laws and consent. I've just been to see a specialist who explained to me all the pros and cons of undergoing surgery on my cervical spine which could possibly lessen the severe chronic pain I'd suffer for years. I decided not to go ahead because one of the risks was paralysis (even though he said it was extremely rare and he hadn't known a case in his professional life) and instead chose to live with the pain. We all have to live with the consequences of the choices we make and we have no control over it a lot of times.
I found this information from University of Copenhagen: “Eye specialists and ear, nose and throat specialists are specialist doctors whom you can always call to make an appointment, without prior re- ferral from your GP”. So, please do not hesitate to call you eye specialist directly!
Elsker jeres kanal
Tusind tak 🇩🇰😀
Hello I’m a new sub
Hello, and welcome! Thanks for subbing 😀
My husband underwent surgery in his sinuses. he was scanned. and should the operating State had no times, so we were sent to private hospital. after 4 days he had a time. The operation took 3 hours and he was home again. Now I'm just waiting for him to work again. The sofa gets worn. It seems to me as a Dane that everything in the USA is about avoiding being sued.
You guys have a 'nose' for picking topics now...
Glad it went well.
Haha, that's a good one, and thank you 🇩🇰😀
Congrats on getting through surgery succesfully. :)
I'm not sure what the surgery was about, cause my english understanding is limited.
Thank you 😀 it's hard to explain even in English but there were tissue growing inside of my nose that they cut out and then they widened the inside so that I can breathe better.
@@RobeTrotting Ah, cool. I kinda thought it was a cosmetic nosejob, cause You look slimmer. :)
Han fik fjernet polypper
@@daedala70 Tak.
Since being from Germany the health care system could be better in some details, but at least everybody is insured. Either in a privat insurance, if your salary is over a certain amount, or you are in a mandatory insurance plan.
Back in 1994 during our vacation in the west of the US my wife bend her ankle while jumping over a fence, and it swelled significantly. So we went to a hospital in Longview, WA where she got all the treatment she needed. We had to pay the doctors bill (ca. 800 $), but we got the money back from our travel insurance. For the insurance we paid 100 DM (ca. 50 Euro), and we got the money from our insurance even before it was charged on my credit card. Most funny thing was after we told the receptionist what had happend, jumping a fence at the Portland, OR race track after the end of the indycar race to get to the victory lane, they asked if we need a lawyer to sue the race track.....
Last year in September while on vacation in Hirtshals I had to go to the dentist because of massive pain (I slept with my check on a cool pack from the freezer during the night). On the sunday morning I called the emergency dentist and they told me to come in. The doctor diagnosed the issue and then started the root surgery (this one was planed back home for 10 days later anyway). I had to pay a bill, about 1300 DKR, but I got the money back from my health insurance in Germany really fast. Only thing they paid only what it would hace cost in Germany, but that was most of the amount.
New to me was that the doctor told me he will prescribe me some antibiotics. When i got through with the assistant about the bill, I asked for the prescribtion, to go to the pharmacy. She said "Just go to the pharmacy and show your insurance card, they will know what you should get." This we don't have in Germany yet.
Good or bad, Denmark is one of the most 'digitalized' countries in the world.
In the US prescription of some type of morphin for post surgery pain, is quite normal.
In Denmark paracetamol or ibuprofen is the standard treatment for post surgery pain. And only in some cases patients get a few pills of morphin.
The reason is the risk of getting addictive. And addition of morphin is also way more common in the US than in Denmark.
I have been given morphine after surgery once (in my ear) but not with me home.
It turned out i reacted badly to the morphine so when the did my other ear they just gave me paracetamol i remember it hurting a little but bot to much
In most cases post-procedure medication tends to be Percocet. I used to get small scripts of it after dental procedures and in most cases I didn't need it (twice out of... a lot). Nowadays you're more likely to get Ibuprofen or Naproxen, which is uhhhh unfortunate for people (like myself) who grew up with chronic pain conditions and used all the effectiveness out of them. Try to tell an ER doctor OTC-accessible medications don't work and you get treated like a bloody junkie.
Oxycontin abuse is the one in the States that has created the opioid problem. It's definitely been abused by physicians and for-profit pharmaceutical companies. Limited painkillers for 3 days after surgery is a bit different than how they can be abused in the US. There is definitely a middle-ground :)
When I was about to have my appendix removed, the surgeon explained in detail how the procedure was to be performed (as usual). Of course, I think that's a really good thing.
However, as I was lying there in pain, all I was thinking was _Come on! Just cut me open!!!_ 😄
I need that sugery too, my sister also got it, ive met a lot who had it, so yea it seems common to need it :o
I always forget that you dont need a referal to go the nasal doc!
Most small procedures dont have much waiting time i find, and then there is the specialists that have like half a year to a years waiting time if not more 😵💫
Some insurances or work places gives you acces to private hospitals and some procedures can be better to get done there as waiting times can be heavly reduced 🤷♀️
Just an educational fact: The number one reason for personal bankruptcy in the USA, is people having had a medical treatment (eg. Surgery) having problems paying. I believe (can easily be checked) that approx 50% of cases in which US-house owners are losing their property due to not being able to pay mortgages, are down to families not being able to pay mortgage due to medical bills. Goes without saying: Not the situation in Denmark!
Maybe worth taking into consideration when comparing :)
Best regards, Michael
Money is everything in the US.
“Very close to your eye, but thats ok” and your Face reaction, made my day 😂 like ooh okay thats not scary at all 😂😳
I'm not sure if others have said this but paracetamol is the active ingredient in Tylenol. It just have a longer different name in the US.
I think it is acetaminophen with Tylenol being the brand name.
Re. painkillers: In Denmark, opiate painkillers are highly, highly restricted. When I was at the hospital with great pains, they gave me 1 (one) opiate painkiller and told me they would NOT give me many of these. More painful, yes, but at least you don't get addicted to opiates. I guess the Danish healthcare system operates under the 'no pain, no gain' philosophy, hahaha.
I was at a danish hospital when i broke my arm! I got treated well there.
How many days was your nosrtrils blocked with band-aid? And are the airways all good now? :)
Yes, all good now. I only needed the nose bandage for about 24 hours and the airways are all good now - massive improvement! Thanks for asking and watching :)
The 'underwear thang'
It has nothing to do with nudity
...has to do with being hygienic 😉
Glad things went well, Derek
- now you're nose buddies, too 😂
hello from Hundested 🌸 🌱
Ah, that makes sense - glad to know that now. Super happy that I'm breathing better and really well recovered. Hope your summer is going well in Hundested 😀🇩🇰
The reason they dont say an exact time in the hospital is maybe because if there is a person who needs a surgery asap. they go first, and other operations that are not critically can be delayed.
I needed ENT and saw them 1 week after contacting them and it was free despite being private practice
Can you share a little bit about walk-ins for healthcare? I know a lot my doctors even the specialists will see walk-in patients if they come into the office early or find a time that day? If you have to reschedule, is it hard to get another appointment?
Our doctor gave us his cell phone number and we always get seen same day by texting him - he’s amazing. It would be the same if we walked-in I’m sure and a lot of things he just handles (like prescription refills etc) via text message. Specialists you may wait longer if you don’t have private insurance through work and use the public system but you can go to one in another town (since we live in Copenhagen there can often be a delay for non-emergency specialist appointments).
You have to be your own health coordinator in Denmark. Be assertive and double check everything and make extra sure that the treatment plan is followed 100%. Just a tip from someone who has been enough of it.
So true, thanks for adding this. "Be your own health coordinator" is such good advice and what I was told by people a lot whenever I said "should I call, it's been a week" etc
I like your take on our bedside maners 😂 most Danes find the direct all in open approach more comforting and reasuring than the sugar coated American version 😂
Yeah, there may be a nice in between since there could be some shocking information delivered - direct but with sympathy I guess is the perfect mix (but not sugar coated).
Optometrists are also accessible without a referral.
as a Dane to me is great when you sick, you don't have to worry about money just about getting well again. it just take so much off your shoulders and very good treatment.
yes they would tell you what worst case can be just in case. we want to open about it not to scarey you but to make sure you know it not a risk free thing. sure it can be a little too much for some it just what most here want total honsty about what happing.
I had two lumps removed in 2019 and they gave me some sexy boxershorts to wear...I guess maybe I was lucky... My pre talk with the surgeon was also very direct but he did ask me if this was my first time and when I said yes he made me feel very reassured that he had done thousands of these surgeries.
The operation team itself was so sweet, making me feel as comfortable as possible, stroking my arm...etc. For a first time under it was a great experience...and I gave them a good laugh telling them that I dreamt about tractors. I have nothing to do with farm life nor have I ever been interested in tractors, so that was so weird XD
Oh yeah and I had a mole near the operation area and the surgeon actually took his time to find my husband to ask if it was ok that he removed it.
That's so great - and I have to say the team that operated on me was just as kind and lovely. I definitely appreciated the details of the pre-surgery meeting, I just found it really funny how specific we got into the worst case scenarios haha.
So are you moving to Jutland???
We wouldn't rule it out, but it's not in the plans at the moment :)
It is very difficult how people react to painkillers,some feel fine but they are so high we almost have to tie them to a chair because they wont sit or lay down and their balance are completely off. And some get sick and throw up though they have just had minor things done, or get dizzy and are about to faint. Most dont but the hospitals prefer to keep you untill we feel certain that nothing too bad is coming.
I cannot remember if you've covered this, but I'm going to ask anyway.
What was it like, when you first moved here, and found out that everyone introduces themselves by their first names? That here in Denmark, we don't use Mr./Mrs./Miss/Dr. etc.
Did it take some time to get used to or was it a nice change?
That's not SUPER different, at least we don't notice it being very different from where we grew up in the States. It's a bit more formal in the South (at least I think, we never lived there but have visited quite a bit). The northeast is pretty informal besides occasions with some type of formality.
@@RobeTrotting I guess it's just because when you hear children addressing adults or people talking to their doctor, they never use their first names. Even as a child in the 80's, we were all on first names terms with adults and teachers etc.
How do you get on "public insurance" as an immigrant?
I have a very serious disease, and I'm not rich so I would probably go banqrupt and die in the US. I live in Norway. I have a general doc and the specialist and they both refer my where ever. It can be a bit confusing sometimes, but it's also very convenient when I need more meds because the national portal for the general docs has a very simple procedure for most things. The specialist is a private hospital and doesn't have the same privileges as the my GP. I haven't had any need to call the CT or what ever to get the result. They send it on to my GP or specialist and they judge the result usually. I don't know why they do that, but perhaps they feel insecure dealing with patient. Any appointments with other services is being set up as needed and there is no need for me to worry about it. It might have something to do with my disease, there is usually no problem finding something that needs to be fixed, and I just want to get on with my life sort of :)
Well, I would say as a pretty "old school" typed dane. That getting the cold hard facts before surgery, is the best thing. For an example, I just got diagnosed with 3 dislocated discs in my lower back. (Im a 23yo windowcleaner, and former mover) the Doctor told me the pros and the cons of getting the operation. His very direct form of explaining made me try conservative treatment with an fysiotherapist😁
Kinda long, I know sorry. Just wanted it out there😎
As a Canadian born in Denmark, the idea that during a stressful medical treatment I would have to worry about the cost, and whether insurance would cover it is bizarre.
Yeah, we have both always had insurance - so wouldn't have worried about being able to afford this. I think it's more that there's a lack of transparency so you may have a deductible or some other rules where some payment may be out of pocket, even just $20 for the follow up appointment. BUT, remember that we paid far less in taxes to just have private insurance - like in Switzerland for example. It's a simple process to have a surgery and know it will be billed to insurance, but as with any corporation, some do not have the best interest of the consumer in mind and they do some shady things.
You guys were lucky to have good insurance in the US, I think you should have mentioned the life crushing bills some folks get in the US, when they don't have insurance, compared to the safety of social welfare.
It's called 'informed consent' it's common in most if not all European hospitals before you sign the paperwork.
In regards toe medicine in the USA contra Denmark, is we are more careful with handing out medicine that we might not need. Where as in the USA a LOT of people are addicted to strong painkillers or other kinds of prescription medicine, because its handed out more carelessly (IMO)
Danish straightforwardness in my experience is this this and that could go wrong, but it usually doesn't, so you should be fine.
But especially in medicine, I think doctors are told to be brutally honest with what could go wrong even if unlikely, we are after all human, anything could happen.
But for me, the best thing is that treatment is free, and you don't have to see the bill. And I think it's super reasonable that we have to pay for medicine, but that's pocket money in comparison.
Yes, I really appreciated the facts - that's pretty similar in the States too - it was just a very graphic explanation haha. Overall, it was a very good experience though and I am so happy I had it done here in Denmark :)
Paracetamol is Tylenol so it's a tiny bit stronger than aspirin and no one would give a patient right out of surgery aspirin bc it'd make you bleed nonstop and you wouldn't heal well.
I have lived in two countries in Europe after having lived decades in the U.S. and have now experienced three healthcare systems. I have some highly significant points of difference between the U.S. and Europe: even having good employer-based healthcare insurance, healthcare in the U.S. cost me LOTS MORE money compared to Europe -- healthcare is just much less expensive in Europe; people living in Europe have NO STRESS when they need any sort of healthcare; American politicians LIE about healthcare in other countries with more socialized healthcare in order to protect the profits of their donors in the healthcare "industry"; if you are unconscious, no professional or admistrator will be searching your wallet for your insurance card; urgent but non-threatening health situations will be handled quickly at the emergency room of the nearest hospital, even if you cannot see your primary care physician immediately. In summation, U.S. healthcare is an expensive disaster compared to European healthcare, and U.S. healthcare is simply geared to protect the profits of healthcare providers and the legislators they bribe with their campaign contributions.
It is because of the taxes and state, mate. In Sweden, all chip in to pay taxes to the state - the state then pour those money into schools, healthcare and to elderly care homes. It does exist private schools, healthcare and also for the elderly. But ut doesn't cost that much more.
8:25 ..and if You'd have NO insurance back then...then what?
Probably wouldn’t even go to the first doctor because it would be paid 100% out of pocket. So in that case, it would be wise to get insurance through a new job or applying for government coverage (Medicare/Medicare).
Guys. as an Americans living in DK For the first time I have hard time on how do you file the US income tax? Have you made the video on it. I would love it.
Go to the US government IRS site and there are all sorts of info and videos on different tax issues. Go to the section on US citizens abroad and you can have all the forms to download as well. You may need your Danish tax info too as you need to give them (IRS) your income/tax credits/benefits etc. (from Danish employer) to calculate the tax liability. If you find it too complicated the first time, hire a US tax preparer there - US Embassy could help you find one.
Nice😊
as someone currently living in Denmark and hopefully trying to get lots of my problems checked + hoping to have a top surgery, at the moment im really really happy at the fact i do not live in the us. all these different laws making things difficult (gender affirmative surgery if i remember correct is one that’s gotten difficult recently) and if i remember correct in denmark they just want you to be 18 for the decision, though at the moment i do not have an idea if they need confirmations on like gender dysphoria or stuff like that since i have not started the process of trying to work towards getting the top surgery.
currently trying to work towards bettering my back, my jaw, and most of all, my lungs :D haven’t had any scans yet though since i just recently started going to the doctors like the start of this year and had to wait about 2 months for the doctors note from my old place to arrive here? i was assigned to physical therapy (imo,,,, did not help me it felt very very painful, some movements are very uncomfortable for me bc of my back and walking for a period of time will make my back very painful) so i am hoping to soon be able to have a scan or 2 done and thinking top surgery will also add onto helping my back possibly and i have been trying to research a bit about top surgery myself and i would say some of the side affects and the healing process (read it can be 2 weeks to 3 weeks if irc) is gonna be worth it to feel so much better ^-^
even though i currently am at a foster place, they are pretty like supportive i’d say (just sometimes forget but like to be remembered when they do) and when we go to any doctor, any like person for some part of health they will tell them for me and it seems so far everyone has been okay with it so im very very hopeful for the process of getting a top surgery :D
Oh wow, I hope you get the best possible care and it's life changing for you. It's really sad how trans people are being used as targets and political pawns in the US. I'm glad you're in Denmark too and wish you all the success on your journey and surgery. Big hugs from us in CPH 😀🇩🇰
Would it be accurate to say the US have good healthcare but a poor healthcare system?
For sure!
Good if you can afford it.
In America, it's all about the bottom line which is money. Insurers there are efficient in getting you the medical procedures you need because it's money in their pockets unless the procedures are the ones they deem not eligible for coverage (yeah, they will find one). Then they will bill you for every little thing under the sun while trying to get you out of the hospital (and the bed you are recuperating on) asap. I have had the experience of being chucked out while still a bit groggy from the general anaesthesia that was given for the (minor but serious enough) surgery as the procedure was done as 'outpatient' and they wouldn't let me stay overnight!
On the other hand, having taken up residence in the UK and availed myself to the NHS, I don't have to worry about any health/medical issues costing me an arm and a leg. However, trying to get an appointment, see the same GP, gain access to specialists are a different animal altogether. So many layers of bureaucratic crap you have to get through - I still am being 'monitored' for a medical condition that they finally decided might need intervention, meaning surgery, and it's been 5 years! I have also been sent to 5 different hospitals for 2 different major medical issues and every effing time I have to regale my medical history because apparently the hospitals belong to different NHS Trusts and they don't share patient info! It's enough to shoot somebody purely out of frustration.
Seriously, I may have to consider marrying a Danish national and move there just to get half-decent health care for my old age. hahaha
2k that's craaaazy many money. With the amount of times my mom's been in the hospital, I can see why low to mid income families can just crumble. I hope in my lifetime the US comes around and make things right. It's so cutthroat. make it or break it, it's kinda unreal to danish people.
Yeah, a 2k deductible WITH good insurance. I can't understand why people are brainwashed into accepting that.
@@RobeTrotting Bernie would have been the answer. I get teary eyes thinking about that old man just wanting what's best for everybody. Nobody would argue that we have the perfect answer in Denmark, but at least we try. Most of us, disregard our politicians... -.-
I sorry the medical files are not shared - but your GP (family doctors) files can be shared but the hospital files are often not shared between the regions !
So they’re shared, but not always? I’m sorry but what’s the point of this knit picking?
Be aware those polyps can come again. I have had three surgeries, plus 2 ambulant. I am tired off these polyps. BTW, I am 60 now and retired, so they don't bother me so much anymore.
Yes, they warned me on that too. I’m following all the recommendations to make sure they don’t but mentally I’m prepared to have to go back for the same procedure at some point in my life. so far so good though 🤞
Håber at i vil blive bo her i Denmark?👍🏻😊 Så i kan lave flere god video til alle i USA. 👍🏻😊 hilsen Michael glad Jylland.
Tak Michael. We will be here and keep making videos for sure :)
I’ve been waiting 3 months to call and see if my bruised/sprained/fractured/broken rib would stop hurting on its own because the bill for JUST the X-ray would be hundreds of dollars, let alone any treatment.
I’ve waited YEARS to see if marks on my skin were cancerous through untrained observation because even walking into the door of a specialist is going to cost me $200 if I’m lucky enough to not need care.
During pregnancy, my wife had an inconclusive test due to an issue with the test. We still got billed $500 for it, and would need to go back and pay again to try again.
I pay over $500 a month to insure my family and it’s only that LITTLE because we are in a high deductible plan.
I’d take waiting for an X-Ray over needing to compare fever level to bank account level before calling the doc. (As it’s gonna cost me $125 for the doctor to double the dose of Childrens Tylenol)
There is Medicaid (and it is not perfect) for those who are very poor, but for most with “middle” incomes, the cost can be crippling. Another issue that arises is affordability of prescription drugs. There are those (especially among the elderly or disabled) who find they have to choose between taking their medications or eating, paying a bill, etc. Some will try to make their medications “stretch” by taking less than the recommended dose. And then there are the “out-of-network” surprises when you do have a procedure. 🙄
Hi, I'm Danish but I've been moving back and forth between the US and Dk for the past six years. I have extensive experiences with both health care systems due to some health issues and I wanna add that in Denmark the wait time for treatment really depends on what it is you need treatment for. Even pre-pandemic the wait time for tests and treatment for some of the things I need treatment for could (and still can) take a year if not more.
I'm a socialist by US standards (and probably also by Danish standards, as well) and so I'm pro-free health care, and not coming from a place where I prefer private health care. But your experience is not representative of the Danish health care system in general (I blame the right-winged governments in the 2000s who started the massive cuts and privatization on the health care sector that we now see the effects of today).
Good perspective. Thanks for adding this and for watching of course :)
In Denmark When my mum was 5 in 1968 She had the surgery. She tells this horror story of beeing without her parents and after the surgery a nun comes in with a bowl of porridge and a hose. She puts both things down on the little bedside table, crosses her arms and say: if you dont wanna eat ill use the that and points to the hose... She then stood there and watched like a hawk till my mum had finnished the porridge. Poor little thing 😔Thank God things have changed huh? Pain wise one 600 mg ibuprofen and two 200 mg paracetamol 3 times a day is a good try. (My mums side of the family are basically all nurses and psyciatric nurses so Im indoctrinated with “viden og fagudtryk ved middagsbordet” 😊
Not that bad but my experience with hospitals in the 50s, in the UK, did show that children were treated more harshly back then.
do not ever leave your child in the care of nuns! who think that pain is good for you!
Literal? Yes, the Danes say it as it is 🤗. I try silly punny jokes (in Danish) on my Danish cousin but they often don't really work because she takes everything I say as literal "truth!!"
Yes! It's so confusing sometimes because Danes definitely have a sense of joking and what we call "sarcasm" in America but it's often misunderstood. In this case, I just didn't need ALLLLLL the details haha.
@@RobeTrotting No, agree with you!
I'm an English-Dane 🇬🇧🇩🇰 here in UK, so I think my version of "silly jokes" might be slightly different from your's🤣
Also don't need a referral for ophthalmologist
Very good to know 😃
So many people in America are unable to budget for the extras and decide not to have surgery. A horrible system
It's true :(
Hi
Hej 😀
So basically you want the sugar coated version instead of the informed consent type procedure.
Why do you think we dont have lawsuits on surgeouns?
I wanted reassurance and bedside manner
That is a huge microphone. A very huge microphone. Very - very huge. Regards Trump.
Jokes aside. Nice your brain transplant went well. Sorry sorry they told you it was a nose surgery. But to be honest you seem more calm now. More adjusted to the Danish society. More Dannebrog like. So a good outcome of the surgery. Just kidding. Really a nice video
😂 A Danish brain transplant before and after interview would be a funny video idea 💡
"I don't think they were complaining". 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
You can call for results but they will call you. And you can follow everything from an App
I don’t like the sugar coating I prefer the direct approach but this is Australia, the Doctors are not adding up the Dollars per minute that they can get out of anybody.
I understand the need for a little sugarcoating, but in Denmark they HAVE to tell you about the risks about the surgery. I think that the Doctors don't think they need better bedside maners, because they will not loose any business and they have to be efficient.
True, and I think the laws are the same in the states but the bedside manner is a little more… reassuring or gentle. It’s also that American customer service mentality that seeps into almost all professions.
We dont pay for the roam and bed, so when you leave is up to youself... just you leave the day you are of....
Well.... in big steps.... you know.
The danish it system (sundhedsplatformen) is from EPIC. So the software is American, and the same system is used in the US
Yes, and it has proved very problematic. It’s only used in two regions and the doctors and nurses detest it. They have a much better platform in Jutland. The problem apparently is that the American system is geared towards billing.
Yeah an when they introduced it in region hovedstaden, region Sjælland and now Norway productivity plummeted. Epic needs more doctors, nurses and other personal and at the same time it-cost skyrocketed. A medical system that service the insurance company is one of the reasons the US is more expensive.
You don't need a referral to see an opthalmologist in Denmark.
One of the perks of living in a civilized country.
My Name Is Chokoladefrost!
Sorry but cant help it every time you guys says “cat scan” i see a cat placed on your Face = cat scan 😂 i know.. so weird 😂
Having the cat walk over you, sniff your face and tell the doctor you need surgery? 🤣
@@sjokomelk thats about right 😂👌🏻
You don't need a referral for an ophthalmologist either
Oui, cela m'irrite aussi que les médecins danois parlent trop de risque tout le temps.
What's scary is that I as a disabled person( autistic, ADD, mental illness etc) I would probably be dead in America.I know you have Medicaid, but the healthcare system really seems to be all about money. ( Not every healthcare professional, but the system). So scary how America treats mentally ill and disabled people.
LMAO! Michael. After 12 years.., it's time to have your nose serviced 🤣 ! Derek's is a "Ferrari" 😎 ! Just kidding 😊 ! Your "sniffers" look good 👍 ! I had a "Gastric Sleeve" operation a few years ago. Before hand I was warned of a risk, but felt totally safe, since these surgeons and nurses where totally experiendced and pretty much didn't do much else. Yeah! We don't do that much "sueing" here! We're pretty much responsible for our own life choices!
Listen guys! I pay my taxes, you pay your taxes. I have absolutly NO problem paying taxes towards your "nose" operation. Just like you are paying for any operation or test, I might need! And I don't even know you guys! It's a "One Hand washes the other" kind of deal 😊 !
Danish Hospital underwear is the WORST 🙄 ! I understand why you would take it off 🤣! Sorry for my post's being SO long 🙄🙄!
HAHA, we can work on Mike's nose next LOL
You're so right about the taxes - we all pay for each other and that's how it should be :)
I waited 15 years to get a operation. You have to fight for your rights.