So, once again I've caught a cold here in Moscow. The weather has been wildly erratic - warm and sunny, cold and rainy etc, and that coupled with my new old room has thrown my immune system for a loop. What started as a simple cold seems to be attacking my body with all its strength. I've tried a string of different medications - some homeopathic granules my boss suggested to me, Tylenol Cold medication, and even my "miracle drug", Mucinex, has done me no good. So, today, grudgingly I went to the polyclinic, or the student health center.
I avoid going there, even though it's one of the best health centers in Moscow. I avoid going there not because they don't treat patients, but because everyone I know that has gone there, has had to argue their way in. This is typically Russian. Rules are so befuddling that even the people that work the reception desk there don't know what they need to do, so they usually try and put all the work on the students. I had asked about health insurance earlier this week, and after inquiring three different people (in three different offices) was assured that since I'm an exchange student, I don't need to buy any, that I receive my care for free. Wonderful! So, today, I went, Student ID in hand, ready to wait to see a doctor.
I got to the health center, and when I got the reception window, explained that I had been told I didn't need to purchase health care, and that I was sick and would like to see a doctor. The receptionist found my file, and asked for my ID. She looked at the ID, and then told me I needed to purchase health insurance. There is nothing written on my ID but my name, so I have no idea how she deducted this from looking at my picture. The following conversation went a little like this.
Receptionist: "You need to buy health insurance."
Me: "I would, but I've been told I don't need to. I'm an exchange student."
Receptionist: "Are you here on budget or by contract?"
Me: "I don't know. Contract, I guess. I don't pay to be here." (What's the difference?)
Receptionist: "Then you have to buy your health insurance."
Me: "I must be on the budget, because I was told that I do not need to buy health insurance."
Receptionist: "Well, go to the Office for International Students. (20 minutes away) Find out from them."
Me: "I went to them, and they've sent me here."
Receptionist: "Then go to your dean." (Another 20 minutes away)
Me: "He sent me to the Office of International Students."
Receptionist: (glaring at me) "Girl, what do you want?"
Me: "I want to see a doctor! I'm sick! I JUST WANT TO SEE A DOCTOR!!!"
Receptionist: "Room 129" (Throws my file at me) "Bring this with you"
Of course, I think I was a little less eloquent with my demand, it probably came out more like, "I want to see doctor! I sick! I simply want to see doctor!" But that's besides the point.
Here in Russia, getting things done is often a game of who can get the other to give in first. Today I won.
After seeing not one, but two very kind doctors, I was prescribed an arsenal of medications and written an excuse from classes for a week (who knew they still did things like this, much less for master's students?). On my way out, I stopped by the receptionist to apologize for raising my voice at her. She seemed surprised that I would think it was rude to do what I did, and then simply said - "Just ask your Dean if you're here by contract or if you're budgeted. That'll solve everything." Simple. Russians don't think to do this first.
Oh, by the way, I stopped by the Dean's office on the way home. I'm budgeted, just in case you're wondering.
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