What to choose - CHI or VHI? Readers of Lifehacker answer

«Let me know” is a rubric for the stories of our readers. Every week we launch a survey and look forward to your comments. The most interesting of them end up in articles and collections.

Last time we asked you to share your opinion - under which policy do you prefer to be treated: CHI or VHI? And opinions are divided.

Treatment under the policy of VHI

In Moscow, both in private and public clinics, I have always come across exceptionally friendly attitude of doctors. I also did not see any cardinal differences in terms of professionalism.

It happened that some types of tests that were not approved for me under the VHI policy, I did in a state hospital for free. In addition, the Moscow State Polyclinic has an electronic medical record that records all visits, tests, referrals, studies, and so on. 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 mention of courtesy and care. And the range of free tests there is not as wide as, for example, in Moscow.

Therefore, when I changed jobs, the VHI policy from the company 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 VHI 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 tests.

In a private clinic, I especially like the 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 did not have a VHI policy, I wanted to get an appointment with an otolaryngologist. But the next free date at the state hospital was in two weeks. Of course, with acute pain, this did not suit me.

I had to sign up in a private clinic, where a 5-minute appointment cost me 5,000 rubles. This would not have happened if DMS had been in place. I would be able to make an appointment with the doctor on the same day, and the consultation would be free.

The most negative memories are associated with state polyclinics. A couple of cases stand out in particular. Came to gynecologist with complaints of low libido and excessive hair growth. The doctor was courteous and polite, but in the end she concluded: “You know, in order 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 do not receive 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 VHI. In addition, the nearest clinic was five minutes from home.

I read reviews about it on independent services and reviewed different types of policy. I settled on an extended package - it included unlimited consultations of highly specialized doctors, free ultrasound and basic tests, a doctor's house call, 10 massage sessions.

It was possible to buy it at a discount, at that time there was a promotion. Therefore, instead of 60,000 rubles, I paid 45,000. And then filed another tax deduction. In general, the final cost paid off with a head.

I liked that information about the results of all tests and visits was stored online - in my personal account. This made life much easier. I didn't have to carry my 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 counterparts in the public 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 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 known about it.

Bottom line: I never regretted that I purchased VHI for my money. This is a good investment in yourself and your health. By the way, thanks to the tax deduction, I managed to return 15,000 rubles.

The basic type VHI policy was provided to me by the company. I doubt that I would bother myself about its design. But while there is an opportunity, I do not want to overpay a penny for treatment.

I chose the clinic at the place of residence from the list of those provided by the employer. The services of basic specialists are especially important for me. I regularly undergo preventive examinations and go to the doctors 2-3 times a year.

Given that the company pays for the treatment, the VHI policy in my case is one big plus.

Thanks to this, relations with state clinics are minimized. The main problem in them is endless queues and long waiting for test results. This is where the private clinic wins.

The advantage of the state hospital is that it is formally free. But in fact, I think you still have to pay for efficiency.

Treatment under the MHI policy

I go to the doctors once a year for a checkup. Therefore, it simply does not make sense for me to buy VHI - spend money for nothing. But the company does not provide it to us.

I had the experience of going to doctors from a private clinic. Perhaps I was just unlucky, but the sensations were even worse than in a state hospital.

In sports, I received injury. And I heard from an eminent doctor that I had a meniscus tear and I needed surgery. But in reality it turned out to be a simple stretching. Perhaps the doctor just wanted to earn extra money.

Stories about how in private clinics they pump money out of you are not uncommon.

It's hard for me to say no to people. So it's easier to go to a public hospital where no one cares about you and where no one will prescribe you a bunch of unnecessary tests.

I rarely get seriously ill, and I don’t have any chronic diseases, except for allergies. I eat right, I do sports. I think if my health ever gets bad, I will think about VHI.

If I had to go to the doctors every week, I would probably prefer to do it in a private clinic. And so - I do not see the point. A couple of times a year, trips to grouchy nurses can be endured.

It's hard to find good doctors - especially in public hospitals. For example, a terrible therapist was assigned to our address. When I got covid, he told me to gargle and drink warm tea. Despite the fact that 50% of my lungs were affected. Friends said that he prescribed drugs for them by googling the symptoms on the Internet. I don't know how true this is.

Nevertheless, I do not have the opportunity to issue a VHI policy for myself, although here (in the Republic of Khakassia. — Approx. ed.) it is much cheaper than in the central cities of Russia. In addition, I think it is still possible to find good doctors in state institutions.

Therefore, now I use the CHI policy - this is the most affordable way of treatment for me.

In order not to risk, we changed the therapist - for this it was necessary to write an application addressed to the head physician of the polyclinic.

It can be difficult with narrow-profile specialists. Fortunately, I don't get sick very often. In addition, I have friends in medical structures who can help find a doctor of a certain specialty. You can also do this by looking at reviews online. In extreme cases, I still go to a private clinic - for example, to dentist or uzistu.

Yes, under the CHI policy you will not receive the best treatment, but this is a compromise between price and quality. So, I think, if you want to save money and not stay sick, you just need to competently use the services of public medicine.