"Let me know" is a rubric for our readers' stories. Every week we launch a survey and are waiting for your comments. The most interesting of them fall into articles and collections.
Last time we asked you to share your opinion on which policy you prefer to be treated: CHI or VMI? And opinions were divided.
In Moscow, both in private and in public clinics, I have always encountered an exclusively friendly attitude of doctors. I didn't see any cardinal differences in terms of professionalism either.
It used to happen that I did some types of tests that were not approved for me under the VMI policy at a state hospital for free. In addition, the Moscow State Clinic has an electronic medical card, where all visits, tests, referrals, studies, and so on are recorded. It is very comfortable.
However, when I lived in the Moscow region, I saw a completely different picture. There, in the absence of competition, doctors behave like masters of life. They can do whatever they want. There is no question of courtesy and attentiveness in this case. And the range of free tests there is not as wide as, for example, in Moscow.
Therefore, when I changed jobs, the company's VMI policy was an important moment for me. I voiced this wish when applying for the position.
As a result, I was provided with an extended type of VMI policy — it includes a wide range of services. Up to calling a doctor at home and consulting a dentist. I pay extra only for narrow-profile analyses.
In a private clinic, first of all, I like a flexible schedule. It has a huge number of branches and specialists in them. You can easily make an appointment with everyone at a convenient time — there are many windows both in the evening on weekdays and on weekends.
Once, when I didn't have a VMI policy, I wanted to get an appointment with an otolaryngologist. But the nearest available date at the state hospital was in two weeks. Of course, with acute pain, this did not suit me.
I had to sign up for a private clinic, where a 5‑minute appointment cost me 5,000 rubles. If there was a VMI, this would not have happened. I would have been able to make an appointment with a doctor on the same day, and the consultation would have been free.
The most negative memories are associated with state polyclinics. I especially remember a couple of cases. I came to the gynecologist with complaints of low libido and too fast hair growth. The doctor was courteous and polite, but in the end concluded: "You know, to increase the level of libido, you just need to wear red lace underwear."
Another specialist, a urologist, also quickly dealt with my complaints of pain in the kidney area: "Go on a drinking diet. I will not prescribe pills."
All this was superimposed on the stories of grandparents who worked in the city hospital. They said that sometimes they don't get the necessary medicines, and the equipment is old — sometimes it malfunctions.
Therefore, when I became more independent from my parents and began to receive a salary, the first thing I ran to get myself a VMI. In addition, the nearest clinic was five minutes from home.
I read reviews about her on independent services and considered different types of policy. I decided on an expanded package — it included unlimited consultations of narrow-profile doctors, free ultrasound and basic tests, a doctor's call at home, 10 massage sessions.
It was possible to purchase it at a discount, at that time there was a promotion. Therefore, instead of 60,000 rubles, I paid 45,000. And then she also issued a tax deduction. In general, the final cost paid off head on.
I liked that the information about the results of all tests and visits was stored online — in my personal account. This greatly simplified life. I didn't have to carry a medical card with me.
I will not say that absolutely all doctors in a private clinic are professionals. But the level of service for most of them was still higher than that of their colleagues in the state hospital.
For example, I often had a stuffy nose, but none of the previous specialists could clearly explain to me what the reason was. In a private clinic, I consulted with an allergist, and we found that I had a reaction to ticks house dust. That is, an apartment without a long cleaning was unsafe for me. Without the doctor, I would never have found out about this.
Bottom line: I have never regretted that I bought a VMI for my money. This is a good contribution to yourself and your health. By the way, thanks to the tax deduction, it was possible to return 15,000 rubles.
The company provided me with a basic type of VMI policy. I doubt that I would bother myself about its design. But while there is an opportunity, I don't want to overpay a penny for treatment.
The clinic was chosen at the place of residence from the list of those provided by the employer. The services of basic specialists are especially important to me. I regularly undergo preventive examinations and go to the doctors 2-3 times a year.
Considering that the treatment is paid for by the company, the VMI policy in my case is one solid plus.
Thanks to this, relations with state polyclinics are minimized. The main problem in them is endless queues and a long wait for test results. In this, a private clinic significantly benefits.
Plus, the state hospital is formally free of charge. But in fact, I think you will still have to pay for efficiency.
I go to the doctors once a year for a routine checkup. Therefore, it simply makes no sense for me to buy VMI — to spend money nowhere. And the company does not provide it to us.
I had the experience of going to doctors from a private clinic. Maybe I was just unlucky, but the feeling was even worse than in a public hospital.
I got injured in sports. And I heard from an eminent doctor that I have a meniscus tear and I need surgery. But in fact it turned out to be a simple stretching. Perhaps the doctor just wanted to earn extra money.
Stories about how money is pumped out of you in private clinics are not uncommon.
And it's hard for me to refuse people. Therefore, it is easier to come to a state hospital where no one cares about you and where no one will prescribe you a bunch of unnecessary tests.
I rarely get sick on a large scale, and I don't have any chronic diseases, except allergies. I eat right, I do sports. I think if my health ever deteriorates badly, I will think about VMI.
If I had to go to the doctors every week, I would probably prefer to do it in a private clinic. And so — I don't see the point. A couple of times a year, trips to grumpy nurses can be endured.
It is difficult to find good doctors — especially in public hospitals. For example, a terrible therapist was assigned to our address. When I got sick with covid, he told me to gargle and drink warm tea. Despite the fact that 50% of my lungs were affected. Acquaintances said that he prescribed drugs to them by googling symptoms on the Internet. I don't know how true that is.
Nevertheless, I do not have the opportunity to issue a VMI policy for myself, even here (in the Republic of Khakassia. — Editor's note) it costs much cheaper than in the central cities of Russia. Besides, I think it is still possible to find good doctors in public institutions.
Therefore, now I use an MHI policy — this is the most affordable way of treatment for me.
In order not to take risks, we changed the therapist — for this we had to write an application addressed to the head physician of the polyclinic.
It can be difficult with narrow-profile specialists. But the good thing is that I get sick infrequently. In addition, I have friends in medical institutions who can help me find a doctor of a certain specialty. You can also do this by studying reviews on the Internet. In extreme cases, I still go to a private clinic - for example, to a dentist or an ultrasound specialist.
Yes, under the CHI policy you will not get the best treatment, but this is a compromise between price and quality. So, I think if you want to save money and at the same time not stay sick, you just need to use the services of state medicine competently.
