Due to a sports injury (gosh I sound hardcore) I had my first real experience with the Australian healthcare system. I fractured two fingers playing flag rugby and ended up having surgery to get a screw put in. Not fun!
Australia's healthcare system is made up of public & private providers. I went to a walk-in clinic and an emergency room which were both public. The ER was a little hectic and old school... and it felt like I was just a number being pushed around from department to department. The hospital where I had my surgery was a private hospital and it was a great experience (not the cutting open my finger part.. but everyone was really nice and the place was new and comfortable). Most all Australians have Medicare but expats (and Australians who want to pay for their health insurance) must get private insurance.
I am on the mend and just have to wear this cute little splint for the next few months. I wouldn't recommend crushing your fingers on a large man's thigh! Very painful experience!
I wasn't going to let a couple broken bones stop me from going to my annual work conference in Las Vegas and to visit the fam in Nashville!
(The only things I miss about America: family/friends, mexican food, TV. In that order.)
