Not a good start

Had been told to be at the specialist docs offices at 8:15. At 8:10 left the house to be greeted by the Bliped sight and with a 20km drive ahead of me. I had heard last night a mention that it would probably snow a bit. Around midnight there was no sign of any so thought another failed try by winter to make an appearance.What then came down was more than we have had all winter, combined - about 20cm.

Having got out a few things I needed from my car, took Angie's which was snow free in the garage and headed off. At exactly 8:30 arrived at the docs. 15 minutes for 20km with temperature -2°C and snowing hard.

Luckily only had 5 minute wait, doc prodded and poked, pushed and ultrasounded (i managed to keep the groans below 100dB)  before announcing it wasn't an abscess but an infected " Sebaceous cyst" and the best way to get rid of it was surgery. At 9:30 I was in the hospital, examined, ultrasounded again, blood taken, for the hell of it a drip with saline solution, my bed allocated but had to wait for 2nd opinion from the duty senior doctor who then confirmed surgery was best and although I had arrived "starved" just in case they wanted to operate straight away, the doc wanted to get some antibiotics in to my system before operating tomorrow, as the risk of infection was great. So no choice but to stay in hospital and get antibiotics via the drip as my stomach rebels against tablets. 

At 11:30 lunch arrived just as the nurse came to tell me to go the the anaesthetics people to have the required lecture. Luckily they know me well and by 11:49 I sat down for lunch. Rest of the day was pure boredom.

I must point out I am not privately insured - I am on the lowest possible level of mandatory state health insurance. Theoretically there is only one level but one can opt out of the basic system (about 15% of salary up to a salary ceiling of about 4000€/month). This cost is the same for a single as for a married couple where only one partner works and has xx children, i.e. based on solidarity. If you earn over the 4000€/month level you cant opt out and get a quote for your personal circumstances. If your young and fit, it's naturally much cheaper but the older and unhealthier you get or the more non earning dependants you have,, so the monthly charge increases. However the doctors can charge more if treating a "privately" insured person so they, despite strong denials give these patients preferential treatment.

Well i was quite happy with the speed I got for a non urgent case. However the German health system is not without it's problems.