Major Take-Away: At the clinics, the doctor will try to send you home with every prescription and OTC drug you could need. Definitely only take home the necessary ones, unless you need the high strength painkillers.
Last week, I was ill with a stomach infection. (symptoms: diarrhea, feverish, chills, abdominal pain, lower back pain, headache) The stool culture did not reveal a culprit, but 5 days of ciprofloxacin fixed me up. I was basically better in three days, but need lots of probiotics to completely recover.
The hospital did not have a general practitioner, so I went to Newcastle Clinic at 541 Orchard Rd.
Anyway... here is what medical services cost at the clinic that I went to... (add 7% GST)
Consultation $50-$80
Practice Cost $30
Blood Test $105 (incl. 3 tests, each $30-40)
Stool Tests $80
Antibiotic $30
And then I learned that when the doctor's office is also the pharmacy, you get given a lot of drugs..
Acetaminophen (10 X 500mg) $3
Charcoal (20) $6
I declined the probiotics because I already had some at home.
Today, I submitted my claim to Blue Cross. It comes to about $400 SGD if you discount the OTC meds.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Preparing for Medical Services
I am feeling unwell, today, and decided to schedule an appointment at a hospital for a bloodtest. I contacted International SOS at +65.6338.7800 for assistance. The operator collected my information and disconnected for 20 minutes to get ahold of a doctor. I believe the doctor was in France, but I'm unsure. We talked briefly, the doctor seemed mildly unconcerned as if it were a late hour for him (I think it was 11pm in France.) I made sure to ask him what tests I should expect. He suggested that I get a physical examination and blood test. Then he disconnected, and I worked with the Singapore operator to locate a nearby hospital. International SOS does not recommend going to a public hospital, because they are more crowded and take more time. We decided upon Gleneagles hospital. She suggested that I contact Blue Cross Blue Shield once I knew the appt information. Because the hospital appt services are closed (it's Sunday at 6pm), she said they would schedule the appt when the hospital opened and shoot for a 12-2pm slot. She promised to call with the details at 10:30am on Monday.
I then called BCBS right away to make sure the hospital and plan were acceptable and check my coverage. I called the international assistance at 001-804-673-1177 because the online worldwide doctor search was not recognizing the first three letters (XXP) of my ID #. (see possible explanation http://medweb.mit.edu/about/news/article/bcbs-card-091027.html ) I was informed that all hospital visits less than 24 hours in duration are paid up-front by myself and then I need to e-mail copies of the following to BCBS:
I then called BCBS right away to make sure the hospital and plan were acceptable and check my coverage. I called the international assistance at 001-804-673-1177 because the online worldwide doctor search was not recognizing the first three letters (XXP) of my ID #. (see possible explanation http://medweb.mit.edu/about/news/article/bcbs-card-091027.html ) I was informed that all hospital visits less than 24 hours in duration are paid up-front by myself and then I need to e-mail copies of the following to BCBS:
- claim form
- copy of medical record
- detailed itemized invoice
- receipt of payment
For stays longer than 24 hours, I can call BCBS and set up a case for BCBS to help negotiate fees. The operator told me that there were no restrictions on hospitals for international services.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Vietnam Visa
We are heading to Vietnam and Cambodia for the holiday. I went to the Vietnamese Embassy in Holland Village, today, to get my Visa. I was completely surprised that they collected 105SGD from me! That's about 80USD! I was surprised because the fees for online visas were $20... so... I went back to check the fine prints.
The cost for a Vietnamese Visa varies by embassy. In Singapore, it's about 80USD, in Washington D.C., it's apparently slightly more (100USD?). I read in another blog that the embassy in Thailand screwed up his visas (http://www.renegadetravels.com/how-to-get-a-vietnam-visa-in-bangkok/).
Now, the online system is called a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and is only valid for air travel. You go online, enter all of your passport information, pay $20USD and someone in Vietnam obtains an entry letter for you. You then print this letter, and bring it along with 2 passport photos to Vietnam. There, you pay an additional $45USD for your basic single entry visa. This process totals to about 65USD, and saves you anywhere from 15 to 35 USD. Instead of spending time traveling to the Embassy to drop off and then pick up your passport, you spend time filling out online forms, printing, and then waiting in line at Immigrations in the airport. The latter can take as little as 15 minutes, to, what I assume is 45 minutes. I assume it's similar to general immigration waiting times.
Some online VOAs might be scams. Be careful, but, in general, I believe the Vietnamese government officially warns against the online VOA simply to get more money from "wealthy" tourists.
The cost for a Vietnamese Visa varies by embassy. In Singapore, it's about 80USD, in Washington D.C., it's apparently slightly more (100USD?). I read in another blog that the embassy in Thailand screwed up his visas (http://www.renegadetravels.com/how-to-get-a-vietnam-visa-in-bangkok/).
Now, the online system is called a Visa on Arrival (VOA) and is only valid for air travel. You go online, enter all of your passport information, pay $20USD and someone in Vietnam obtains an entry letter for you. You then print this letter, and bring it along with 2 passport photos to Vietnam. There, you pay an additional $45USD for your basic single entry visa. This process totals to about 65USD, and saves you anywhere from 15 to 35 USD. Instead of spending time traveling to the Embassy to drop off and then pick up your passport, you spend time filling out online forms, printing, and then waiting in line at Immigrations in the airport. The latter can take as little as 15 minutes, to, what I assume is 45 minutes. I assume it's similar to general immigration waiting times.
Some online VOAs might be scams. Be careful, but, in general, I believe the Vietnamese government officially warns against the online VOA simply to get more money from "wealthy" tourists.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Live Music Finder
http://www.bandwagon.sg
"Singapore's first online gig finder, Bandwagon, is a tool to help connect you to live music and give music in Singapore a bigger stage. Whether you're looking for Jazz, Pop or Metal live performances, we can help. Browse through the most comprehensive gig database on the web and find something that suits you. Search for gigs by genre, artiste or place, filter based on dates or see our gig picks. Sign in via Facebook to rate, comment and let the Bandwagon community of gig lovers know that one more person is going for the gig! Bandwagon also has an Editorial to meet the in between times when you're not looking for live music. Check out our opinion pieces about broad trends in the industry, Bandwagon Places where we head to random parts of Singapore and hunt for live music, as well as our Introducing series where we tell you more about new bands that are emerging in the scene."
"Singapore's first online gig finder, Bandwagon, is a tool to help connect you to live music and give music in Singapore a bigger stage. Whether you're looking for Jazz, Pop or Metal live performances, we can help. Browse through the most comprehensive gig database on the web and find something that suits you. Search for gigs by genre, artiste or place, filter based on dates or see our gig picks. Sign in via Facebook to rate, comment and let the Bandwagon community of gig lovers know that one more person is going for the gig! Bandwagon also has an Editorial to meet the in between times when you're not looking for live music. Check out our opinion pieces about broad trends in the industry, Bandwagon Places where we head to random parts of Singapore and hunt for live music, as well as our Introducing series where we tell you more about new bands that are emerging in the scene."
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
My Humidity System
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| Hopefully the sunsack can keep this white dress dry. |
I purchased vacuum bags and an underbed storage bag to store my scuba gear suits, sweatshirt, and purses. I also got a new system of dehumifiers (plastic containers with calcium chloride as a dessicant.)
The dehumidifiers I got:
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| DampRid sells refillable pots and loose calcium chloride for refilling the pot. I was starting to feel bad about the First Choice plastic containers that I was throwing out before. The DampRid containers don't have lids to prevent spills, though! |
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| Instead of the smaller thirsty hippo packets, I found some "Sunsacks" and a charcoal bamboo product. These packets are meant to be dryed in the sun (or a microwave) and reused. These are useful to store in my underwear shelf, backpack, and other smaller spaces. |
Then I filled these with my belongings, including my precious SCUBA gear that initiated the venture:
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| Suits and jackets |
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| Purses |
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| If my regulator gets moldy, I will get sick breathing through it. |
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| Gotta keep the SCUBA gear dry and mold free! |
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| Everything fits nicely under my bed. |
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| My socks and bathing suit with my last Thirsty Hippo packet. |
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| Even this backpack is getting moldy. And I use the darn thing! |
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| These items were in danger!! |
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| Now my closet has precious room to aerate. |
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
What I Wish I Had Known BEFORE Coming to Singapore
I've been meaning to write this entry, and I'm sure I'll have more to add to this entry before I leave Singapore in May... but here are a few things:
Medical (pills and things)
1. There is no ibuprofen or aspirin on the shelf. There is only Panadol (paracetamol = acetaminophen).
2. You can buy prescription drugs, from a pharmacist without a prescription at their discretion. I'm not experienced in this act, but that's what I hear.
3. If you are prone to sea sickness, bring dramamine or whatever medication you prefer from the states.
4. Great Dental Experience: http://www.standrews.sg/contact.html. Tell them Cassandra Telenko referred you for $50 SGD off your fee.
5. Vitamins are really expensive here (40+ SGD, 30+ USD). Bring them with you.
Belongings (the mold situation)
Especially during the rainy season (like 9 months of the year) it is so humid that your belongings will get ruined by mold.
Here are some tips: http://www.therobertsonsofmumbai.com/2012/04/expat-survival-series-the-bangkok-closet.html
1. Do not bring animal products (like leather)
2. Switch from shaving with a razor to waxing or veet. Razors rust really quickly.
3. Keep valuable/mold prone items sealed from air. (i.e. I keep my books in an airtight container. I keep flour and sugar in an airtight container with rice. I'm going to look into getting air seals for my clothes and scuba regulator)
4. Be aware that perfume can turn in rooms that aren't kept around room temperature. Don't refrigerate or cycle the temperature too much. Our perfume is generally ok, kept sheltered from sunlight and with our room usually within a couple degrees of 28C (82F)
5. Check your clothes and belongings for mold once a month or so. I've included photos of belongings that have collected mold over the past month alone.
6. Consider keeping some items in your office desk where the room is A/C and sealed from outdoor humidity most of the time.
Food
1. No one cooks, it's almost all eating out.
2. The food is oily and mostly Singaporean, Malay, Thai or Indonesian. There is usually a token Indian, Korean, and Japanese place.
3. There are no ovens. Getting a large oven-like appliance can be expensive.
4. You can usually ask for items to be "dry." Otherwise, things turn into soups. Every curry is a soup. The bulgogi at one north food court is a soup. It drives me nuts.
Money
1. Best money changing rate is in China town, and requires to change at least $200 to get that rate. (donated tip from Asli; I just use my ATM card for my bank that refunds the $3SGD fee each transaction. ATMS are everywhere.)
2. There are lots of money changers, and you can basically get any amount. To go to Indonesia, I changed $13 SGD to get $10 USD to pay the entry fee. Otherwise, entry was 20 SGD to Indonesia.
Medical (pills and things)
1. There is no ibuprofen or aspirin on the shelf. There is only Panadol (paracetamol = acetaminophen).
2. You can buy prescription drugs, from a pharmacist without a prescription at their discretion. I'm not experienced in this act, but that's what I hear.
3. If you are prone to sea sickness, bring dramamine or whatever medication you prefer from the states.
4. Great Dental Experience: http://www.standrews.sg/contact.html. Tell them Cassandra Telenko referred you for $50 SGD off your fee.
5. Vitamins are really expensive here (40+ SGD, 30+ USD). Bring them with you.
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| I cleaned this hat in the wash, with vinegar, and left it in the sun. That mold is permanent. |
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| Keep food bags sealed. I use plastic clips (not the spring ones) and a container with rice. |
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| This container has my books and rice. All my books are moist otherwise. |
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| This purse has mold. |
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| This jewelry bag has collected mold over the past two or three weeks. |
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| This earring was resting on my hat during the month that it collected mold. The humidity caused the wood color to bleed. |
Belongings (the mold situation)
Especially during the rainy season (like 9 months of the year) it is so humid that your belongings will get ruined by mold.
Here are some tips: http://www.therobertsonsofmumbai.com/2012/04/expat-survival-series-the-bangkok-closet.html
1. Do not bring animal products (like leather)
2. Switch from shaving with a razor to waxing or veet. Razors rust really quickly.
3. Keep valuable/mold prone items sealed from air. (i.e. I keep my books in an airtight container. I keep flour and sugar in an airtight container with rice. I'm going to look into getting air seals for my clothes and scuba regulator)
4. Be aware that perfume can turn in rooms that aren't kept around room temperature. Don't refrigerate or cycle the temperature too much. Our perfume is generally ok, kept sheltered from sunlight and with our room usually within a couple degrees of 28C (82F)
5. Check your clothes and belongings for mold once a month or so. I've included photos of belongings that have collected mold over the past month alone.
6. Consider keeping some items in your office desk where the room is A/C and sealed from outdoor humidity most of the time.
Food
1. No one cooks, it's almost all eating out.
2. The food is oily and mostly Singaporean, Malay, Thai or Indonesian. There is usually a token Indian, Korean, and Japanese place.
3. There are no ovens. Getting a large oven-like appliance can be expensive.
4. You can usually ask for items to be "dry." Otherwise, things turn into soups. Every curry is a soup. The bulgogi at one north food court is a soup. It drives me nuts.
Money
1. Best money changing rate is in China town, and requires to change at least $200 to get that rate. (donated tip from Asli; I just use my ATM card for my bank that refunds the $3SGD fee each transaction. ATMS are everywhere.)
2. There are lots of money changers, and you can basically get any amount. To go to Indonesia, I changed $13 SGD to get $10 USD to pay the entry fee. Otherwise, entry was 20 SGD to Indonesia.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Cell Phone
I just got back from an interview in the United States. I slept for 12 hours, from 3am to 3pm. I never sleep for that long. I really hope I get back on track, soon!
I scheduled a dental cleaning appt for Thursday at St. Andrews. The dental surgeons there were recommended by a diving buddy during my trip on the White Manta. I was quoted $50-120 SGD, but I was able to make a 10am appt only two days in advance!
The point of this post is to point out the misfortune that I realized upon making the call. My phone only had $1.50 left!! I had topped up with Singtel's Super Hot $128 plan, but the time had expired on Nov. 8th and I hadn't been around to top up and extend the validity! Here's how it works:
1. Get a pre-paid $10 hi! card from a 7-eleven or other establishment
2. Go to singtel.com to top up online when you need more minutes. Here are the plans:
http://info.singtel.com/personal/phones-plans/mobile/prepaid/top-up-where-to-buy-and-check-balance
3. Note that there are lots of options, the biggest differences being their validity time, cost, and available credit. The Super Hot $128 was $28 dollars and gave me $128 dollars of credit, but needs to be topped up with the Super Hot $128 or Hot $55 within the 50 days to keep the credit. I don't think I even used up the cost of the card.
4. Get the Hot $55 for $15 if you don't use data. Switch to the $128 if you are texting and calling a lot. If you use data (i.e. WhatsApp), get the DataTalk$22 or the Yo!$18. I don't use the data, but maybe I will in the future.
For data, note the bottom: http://info.singtel.com/personal/phones-plans/mobile/prepaid/mobile-data
I scheduled a dental cleaning appt for Thursday at St. Andrews. The dental surgeons there were recommended by a diving buddy during my trip on the White Manta. I was quoted $50-120 SGD, but I was able to make a 10am appt only two days in advance!
The point of this post is to point out the misfortune that I realized upon making the call. My phone only had $1.50 left!! I had topped up with Singtel's Super Hot $128 plan, but the time had expired on Nov. 8th and I hadn't been around to top up and extend the validity! Here's how it works:
1. Get a pre-paid $10 hi! card from a 7-eleven or other establishment
2. Go to singtel.com to top up online when you need more minutes. Here are the plans:
http://info.singtel.com/personal/phones-plans/mobile/prepaid/top-up-where-to-buy-and-check-balance
3. Note that there are lots of options, the biggest differences being their validity time, cost, and available credit. The Super Hot $128 was $28 dollars and gave me $128 dollars of credit, but needs to be topped up with the Super Hot $128 or Hot $55 within the 50 days to keep the credit. I don't think I even used up the cost of the card.
4. Get the Hot $55 for $15 if you don't use data. Switch to the $128 if you are texting and calling a lot. If you use data (i.e. WhatsApp), get the DataTalk$22 or the Yo!$18. I don't use the data, but maybe I will in the future.
For data, note the bottom: http://info.singtel.com/personal/phones-plans/mobile/prepaid/mobile-data
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