An American who is traveling around Australia said the country was “great” because of one key detail lacking in his home country.
Coleman Geiger recently declared Australia “great” after being able to secure a telehealth appointment and pick up two months’ worth of antibiotics without insurance.
“The American gang will know you don’t go to the doctor unless you really have to — especially if you don’t have insurance,” he said in the viral clip.
But the whole affair took him less than 30 minutes and he paid just $30.11 (48 AUD) for both the medication and the appointment.
Geiger told news.com.au that even as a kid, his family had insurance, but they “never” went to the doctor unless they met the deductible. He remembered a time he had a suspected broken hand, but he had to “suck it up” for a month.
Geiger is currently on a visitor visa in Australia. He was previously on another visa requiring him to have insurance, which he was approved for before landing Down Under.
Even that was a shock to him, saying that would never happen in the United States. He said he was paying just $43.92 (70 AUD) a month, but it covered more than his $219.58 (350 AUD) a month in US insurance.
But, currently being without insurance for the first time ever, he had no idea what to expect.
The video had a huge reaction from Australians, who were stunned at Geiger’s surprise.
“Welcome to our ‘socialist’ country as some Americans view us,” one commented.
Another commented: “Welcome to Australia! The healthcare here is not perfect but definitely better than the US!”
“I’m always amazed that the US citizens that stand to benefit the most from a universal healthcare system are the ones who yell the loudest in opposition,” one said.
One added: “I’m glad you appreciate the Australian healthcare system. A lot of people take it for granted.”
Geiger shared his biggest takeaway from the comment section.
“Almost every single country is better than the US [when it comes to health care],” he said.
“A lot of people were just saying, even in Australia, how they take for granted how easy it is.”
Geiger said the whole point of the video was to point out he can’t even get coverage in the United States — let alone as a visitor in the US. He told news.com.au that there is only a small window for Americans to apply for medical insurance.
“It’s really annoying and confusing. You turn 26 and you get kicked off your parent’s health insurance. They give you a little grace period to get on health insurance,” he said.
“But if you miss that window you have to wait until the end of the year to get on it for the next year. It’s really weird.”
Geiger isn’t the first American to be stunned by the Australian healthcare system. Noel Mulkey was in the midst of training for the Ironman World Championship, but daily 32km runs led to him needing an MRI in Australia.
“Total price $300 AUD,” he said, stunned. It roughly equates to $188.21.
“My last one in the US was $1066.51 (1700 AUD).”
MRI’s in Australia can have various costs depending on which body part needs looking at. Some can be covered under Medicare, specifically if a GP or specialist refers you for an MRI. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $62.74 (100 AUD) to $188.21 (300 AUD) for the scan. In some cases, it can be as much as $941.04 (1500 AUD).
Mulkey, who was eventually diagnosed with a femoral neck stress reaction and needs to walk with crutches for the next two months, had to pay out of pocket as he isn’t an Australian citizen.
While he was over the moon at the low cost compared to his experience back in the United States, some Aussies were unimpressed.
“$188.21 (300 AUD) for an MRI? That’s crazy,” one social media user commented.
