Health

Latest Drugs Available in Germany at low costs to Patients, USA still Lags Behind

Published

5 years ago

June 21, 2019

One major issue that has been in constant amendments in the USA is the expense of medical bills. Unless you have medical insurance, which is also very expensive, paying hospital and medicine dues seems impossible. This has also been a major manifesto for all presidential elections, but only a few have managed to deliver what they promised.

While the USA fails to give affordable medical care, hospitals in Germany are able to sell drugs to ill patients for as little as $11. Havelhoehe cancer clinic is located on the outskirts of Berlin. Most of the people who visit the place are terminally ill. Most of them are suffering from cancer and we all know how expensive medical treatment for cancer can possibly be. In the USA, cancer treatment costs thousands of dollars.

In Havelhoehe, the patients pay a mere $11 per prescription for cancer medicines, which seems unrealistic but it is the truth. A senior oncologist at the clinic Dr. Burkhard Matthes says “we never talk about costs”. The novel strategy to provide patients with affordable health care was a part of the national health care strategy system of 2011. The prices of medical treatment were skyrocketing and patients were unable to afford basic health care.

A drug review process was put under place in Germany which encouraged innovation in manufacturing drugs and bring them into the market. If they can prove that these drugs are better, then they can charge a higher rate. This allowed the drug market to be competitive. This gives patients access to new drugs and evaluations of the effectiveness of these drugs.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.