Why is medical examination so expensive in London??

[JenDave3121 30]

Does anyone know why the exam is so costly?? 245 pounds thats almost $400?? Are other countries that expensive?

[CowBoE 429]

Was that including vaccination shots?

My fiancee just went to the medical exam and got some vaccination shots

and I forget the exact total but I think converted to around $350 in USD.

So compare to the average income level between China and UK

I think $350 dents the pocket book more than $400 in UK.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Local clinics set their own prices for an exam and vaccinations. Coming from the UK, you may find yourself with a bad case of 'sticker shock' at the prices for healthcare in the US.

[Elizabeth+Fred 35]

Medical costs in Amsterdam are EUR 145 for the medical itself, plus EUR 50 for the chest X-ray.

Its one of those "oh, well!" things .....

[JenDave3121 30]

No this doesn't include vaccinations it's the exam and chest X-rays.....guess I was just surprised that it was so high given health care system in UK is generally free!

Plus having to travel to London costs money....one would think they would have more than one clinic approved to conduct these exams!!

[Mikenmalin 1]

About 415$ here in sweden! Shots not included.., Free healthcare here aswell!

[sweetswinks 400]

My medical in Sydney, Australia cost $435 with the flu shot only which without it, the medical would have been $400

[agnesb 47]

So the exam is not very in-depth but if other health/wellness checks with private health companies like Bupa charge at least £200 for most basic one then that price seem reasonable. Especially that they do not have to worry about competition and lack of customers ;-)

Edited July 27, 2014 by agnesb

[CowBoE 429]

No this doesn't include vaccinations it's the exam and chest X-rays.....guess I was just surprised that it was so high given health care system in UK is generally free!

Plus having to travel to London costs money....one would think they would have more than one clinic approved to conduct these exams!!

By the way, my fiancee has choice to wait 6 weeks and get 2 more shots in China or get them US.

And of course, I want her come ASAP.

But for cost comparisons, if she gets them in US, looks like it will be about $200 to $300+,

or if she gets them in China, it will be less than 50%.

You will be quite shocked at (how crazy) US healthcare cost is when you get here.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Does anyone know why the exam is so costly?? 245 pounds thats almost $400?? Are other countries that expensive?

It depends though. It will more costly if included all vaccinations are missing. Based on my experience I had to pay $110 including a few of my vaccinations that were missing.

[lizascissors 65]

Does anyone know why the exam is so costly?? 245 pounds thats almost $400?? Are other countries that expensive?

Get whatever shots you're missing from your GP's office and just bite the bullet. Knightsbridge has the monopoly on being the approved civil surgeon, so they charge what they want.

Also sure, healthcare is expensive stateside, but we also don't pay as high of taxes as a lot of countries with universal systems. The money goes from one hand to the other, it's just a matter of what costs you see up front (yeah it is overall per capita GDP much more expensive here, but swings and roundabouts).

Unfortunately, immigrating legally to the US is not an inexpensive endeavor.

[Boiler 43,871]

Get whatever shots you're missing from your GP's office and just bite the bullet. Knightsbridge has the monopoly on being the approved civil surgeon, so they charge what they want.

Also sure, healthcare is expensive stateside, but we also don't pay as high of taxes as a lot of countries with universal systems. The money goes from one hand to the other, it's just a matter of what costs you see up front (yeah it is overall per capita GDP much more expensive here, but swings and roundabouts).

Unfortunately, immigrating legally to the US is not an inexpensive endeavor.

Obviously it varies but the tax burden is not that different for most, swings and roundabouts.

[noway123456 1]

If it makes you feel better, my fiancé had to pay $500+ for his medical exam. There's only one approved clinic in Afghanistan so we had no choice.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I say, because of the exchange rate.

[MAXX1 8]

By the way, my fiancee has choice to wait 6 weeks and get 2 more shots in China or get them US.

And of course, I want her come ASAP.

But for cost comparisons, if she gets them in US, looks like it will be about $200 to $300+,

or if she gets them in China, it will be less than 50%.

You will be quite shocked at (how crazy) US healthcare cost is when you get here.

Check with your local health department. You may be able to get the vaccinations at a more affordable price.