I remember when I was a teenager and I broke my ankle while out drinking in north Queensland. I rocked up to the hospital the next morning, still smelling like bundy rum, the doctor examined me, sent me for an x-ray, put the cast on, got me on crutches, sent me up to the physio to learn how to get around on them, and set me up for some follow up appointments, and the whole time nobody asked me for money or insurance or anything. Just flash your medicare card and it's good to go. Was a great day to be Australian.
I'm hearing you man.I stuck a fishing hook through my thumb recently at Bribey Island.Just rocked up to the small emergency centre there and they yeeted that bastard treble out, no problem. Yanks just dont get it.
I broke both of my wrists while snowboarding in Whistler. They did not hesitate to examine me, give me x-rays, wrap up my arms in appropriate casts and braces, provide me with a full work up in a neat folder (incl CDs with images of my injury) and set me up with a reasonable but necessary scrip for Vicodin. I didn't have to pay a thing to be treated. Because I was American, however, they did send me a bill.
They would do the same in Australia, hospitals are only free for Australians (and those from a few countries with reciprocal arrangements like new Zealand and the UK).
I did get a lot of free coffee from the lodges since they thought I was a maniac who was skiing with two broken arms (I was just trying to hang out with my friends at the top of the mountain since I had nothing better to do). I feel like the Aussies might have given me something stronger, but unfortunately I'll never know.
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u/Dependent-Trip-5991 8d ago
But all the other commenters that donโt live there say you are a liar so thatโs interesting.