Bear, most people here have medical benifits provided through a package offered by their employer with some insurance carrier , so we (in the states) don't typically 'pay at the counter' for service either. Usually, you are seeing your personal Dr. who is 'covered' under this benefits package, otherwise chargers can be assesed directly to you (but billed at a later time). Usually policies cover all or most visits to the emrgency room (ie, not scheduled visits to your normal Dr.).

My waits in the Dr.'s office are usually less than 1 hour in all cases - moslty 20 minutes or so, when I've called ahead and scheduled. But I'm not sure if that's because I pay (or more correctly, my employer pays) or not. I think that a 4 hour wait in the States would be considered highly unacceptable - and could get you a lawsuit for 'damages' if the right sue-happy freak walked through the door. Did you visit the ER unexpected, or was this a follow-up visit? Your wait would of course, be lengthened if you had a non life-threatening injury with other, more seriously injured folks about...

Regards,
- Ryan

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'95 E420 - 'Shadowfax' 138kmi.
'92 Volvo 740Turbo Bard 193kmi
'74 240D - 'Ol' Green' 4spd Manual 104kmi. (sold )
'77 300D - 'Red' 223kmi (sold)
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