My first experience with Healthcare in China

by YANN │on FEBRUARY, 17│ 2016

A decade ago after moving out to Shanghai I started looking for International Health insurance for myself.
After receiving a quotation I stumbled upon the notion of “Deductible”. I thought to myself “what a strange concept, French Insurers usually offer cover from 1^st Euro, who needs deductibles? “.
Then I started working as an Insurance Broker. While I was getting more knowledgeable with barbarian terms such as “deductible”, “co-pay” or “coinsurance” I had the opportunity to test Chiropractic skills in Shanghai due to joint pain. The initial experience was very pleasant; the US Chiropractor I had been recommended was highly skilled. Few minutes later, the bill came to me as a tornado; it was roughly 4 times the price I would have paid in France. Not being covered by my Health Insurance for this I declined the gracious offer for the next upcoming 15 sessions.

I then began to recall my previous initial thought about deductibles and more generally Healthcare cost sharing. 
I realized that my initial “who needs deductible?” thought had not initially been comparing apples to apples. Indeed, I was starting to discover the vast cost discrepancy between China and my previous Healthcare experience in Europe.  Indeed, a number of International Health Insurance plans have been built on the notion of cover from the 1^st Euro with sublimits.

One of the most stealth example of sublimit is the cover limit you find for Private room in case of an Hospitalisation. This usually comes as a late surprise to some foreigners to find Expat facilities with a Healthy Price Tag over $600 per day for the cost of the private room during an Hospitalisation. In case the Insurance plan does not cover a cost of this magnitude, the end result is regularly the same; the patient is transferred to a less expensive a local medical facility where doctors may speak local language only.

 As a medical insurance consultant, the advice I regularly give to expats looking for International Health Coverage in places such as China or Hong Kong, is to emphasize strong Inpatient cover rather than complete package with weak hospitalization cover.

Backpain during pregnancy.

MAY, 1│ 2013

A large number of mothers suffer from backache during pregnancy. The standard situation, can become very annoying if you are not careful.

What to do before and after Childbirth

The "backaches" are often due to a bad position during pregnancy. The higher front body weight due to the presence of the baby in the uterus shifts the Centre of gravity and requires balance readjustment to compensate. This situation exaggerates the otherwise normal  curve of the spine and therefore causes tension in the lower back causing pain. The relaxation of ligaments resulting from hormonal activity can also cause sciatic pain. This influences the pregnancy (starting from the second quarter and more specifically the sixth month) and it's effects are primarily felt by the pregnant mother in the evening. Various elements such as age, condition of the back, fitness, the number of children and the weight gained during pregnancy may worsen the intensity of pain.

The usual recommended practice of physical activities is to relax the spine, strengthening the muscles. You can opt for yoga or gymnastics practice to improve on the situation. It is recommended to  practice under qualified supervision; for instance under the guidance of a physiotherapist so that the symptoms can improve.

Also, watch your diet to avoid excessive weight gain between 9 and 12 pounds on average. Get enough rest and take a nap as often as possible.  You may also follow specific medical sessions to strengthen your abs. As a final point, don't hesitate to ask your partner or husband for some relaxing massage.

Avoid pregnancy strain

-Avoid caring heavy objects.
-Stay away from long car journeys. If you have to travel, take a break at least every hour and put a cushion in your back.
-Sit properly: when sat on a Chair, keep your feet flat, along with your back and thighs to the right.
-Bend your knees rather than folding them in half to catch an object. Stopping vacuuming is highly recommended.
-Keep your heels short (maximum 2 cm) and get a comfortable pair.
-Subscribe to pool: swimming is favored for pregnant mother's back. Breathing is easier, because the nose and mouth are out of the water.
Leg movements are identical as for crawling (beats) and work calves muscles. There should be no effort from your back. All the back muscles are strengthened, thus easing the pain. In any case, do not take any medication without prescription!
-Stay as straight as you can without pushing the stomach forward.
-During  sleeping time, lift up your feet and your neck using a cushion or a specific pregnancy pillow which, offers better ergonomic. The most suitable position is to be curled up on your left flank, keeping the pillow between your knees.

If you experience pain, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. They may prescribe physiotherapy, osteopathy or acupuncture.