The Pain That Launched a Thousand Phrases
It started after a late‑night chimi burger near Puerto Plata’s Malecón. By sunrise my stomach twisted like a concho tire blown on the Duarte. No home remedy worked, so I reached for my phone and wrestled with Spanish phrases to book a doctor’s visit. That call, the clinic registration, and the insurance desk became a crash course you can now skip—because every misstep is mapped out below. If you’re looking for a course on Spanish for healthcare professions, our friends at Expat Ally can also give you a comprehensive guide.
Phase One: Making the Phone Call—Getting on the Calendar
Greeting and Stating Purpose
Spanish (You): «¡Buenas! Me llamo Mark Coonce. Quisiera agendar una cita con un gastroenterólogo porque tengo dolor de estómago desde anoche.»
English: Hi! My name is Mark Coonce. I’d like to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist because I’ve had stomach pain since last night.
Key vocabulary: agendar (to schedule), gastroenterólogo, dolor de estómago.
Receptionist Questions Back
Spanish (Receptionist): «¿Tiene seguro médico? ¿Cuál es la aseguradora?»
English: Do you have health insurance? Which insurer?
You: «Sí, con Humano Seguros. Mi número de póliza es 4578‑21.»
Yes, with Humano Seguros. My policy number is…
Date and Time
Receptionist: «Hay disponibilidad mañana a las diez o hoy a las cuatro, pero sería consulta privada.»
English: We have availability tomorrow at ten or today at four, but the latter would be a private (out‑of‑network) consult.
You: «Prefiero mañana a las diez para que la aseguradora cubra.»
I prefer tomorrow at ten so insurance covers it.
Vocabulary: consulta privada (out‑of‑network visit), aseguradora (insurer), cubrir (to cover).
Confirmation Text Message
Most Dominican clinics send a WhatsApp:
«Cita confirmada: Dr. Pérez, Gastroenterología, 10:00 a.m., Clínica Unión Médica. Traer cédula y carnet de seguro.»
Appointment confirmed… Bring ID and insurance card.
Save cedula and carnet in your flashcards.
Phase Two: Arrival and Check‑In—Paperwork & Vitals
Front Desk Dialogue
Receptionist: «Buenos días. ¿Nombre completo?»
Good morning. Full name?
You: «Mark Edward Coonce.»
Receptionist: «Cédula o pasaporte, por favor.»
ID, please.
You: «Aquí tiene el pasaporte y el carnet de Humano.»
She types, then asks:
Receptionist: «Necesitamos la órden médica o la autorización para cubrir la consulta.»
We need the doctor’s referral or authorization to cover the visit.
I hadn’t secured a órden médica. Quick fix: Pay consultation upfront (RD$2,000) and request reimbursement later—learned phrase:
Spanish: «¿Puedo pagar ahora y luego solicitar reembolso?»
English: Can I pay now and later request reimbursement?
Vitals Station
Nurse greets: «Pásele por aquí para tomar la presión y el peso.» (Come this way to take blood pressure and weight.)
Numbers in Spanish matter: 120/80 becomes ciento veinte sobre ochenta.
Phase Three: Explaining Symptoms to the Doctor
Doctor: «Cuénteme, ¿qué molestias siente?»
Tell me, what discomfort do you feel?
You: «Tengo un dolor constante en la parte superior del abdomen y náuseas desde anoche. Además, siento acidez y eructos.»
I have a constant pain in the upper abdomen and nausea since last night. Also, I feel acidity and belching.
Grammar tip: use “desde + time” for duration. Medical verbs: eructar (to burp), ardor (burning). Doctor asks:
Doctor: «En una escala del 1 al 10, ¿qué tan intenso es el dolor?»
On a scale of 1 to 10, how intense is the pain?
You: «Seis cuando estoy quieto, ocho después de comer.»
Six when I’m still, eight after eating.
He suspects gastritis; orders ultrasound.
Vocabulary Table—Symptoms & Diagnostic Tests
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dolor punzante | Sharp pain | “punzar” = to stab |
| Náuseas | Nausea | plural in Spanish |
| Acidez | Heartburn | also “agruras” local slang |
| Abdomen superior/inferior | Upper/lower abdomen | precise location |
| Ultrasonido abdominal | Abdominal ultrasound | imaging test |
| Análisis de heces | Stool test | messy vocab but vital |
Insurance Desk Negotiation
Insurance Clerk: «Para el ultrasonido necesita pre‑autorización de Humano. Puede tardar hasta 24 horas.»
I plead:
Spanish: «¿Hay forma de que lo procesen como emergencia? El dolor se intensifica.»
She calls insurer, cites dolor agudo. Approval within an hour—key term: autorización exprés.
Grammar Spotlight: Subjunctive for Uncertainty with Results
Doctor: «Si el ultrasonido muestra inflamación, recetaremos omeprazol.»
If the ultrasound shows inflammation, we’ll prescribe omeprazole.
Indicative after si (condition likely). But:
Doctor: «En caso de que no mejore, consideraremos endoscopia.»
In case it doesn’t improve, we’ll consider endoscopy.
No mejore triggers subjunctive—uncertain outcome.
Collecting Medication—Pharmacy Dialogue
Prescription: «Omeprazol 20 mg, una cápsula diaria antes del desayuno, por 30 días.»
Pharmacist: «¿Seguro cubre la medicación?»
You: «Tiene cobertura del 70 %. Aquí está la receta.»
Pharmacist: «Debe pagar la diferencia y firmar esta factura.»
Vocabulary: cobertura (coverage), diferencia (co‑pay), factura (invoice).
Follow‑Up Appointment Scheduling in Person
With ultrasound results, receptionist asks:
Spanish: «El doctor tiene espacio el próximo martes a las nueve. ¿Le parece?»
You: «Perfecto. ¿Necesito otra autorización de la aseguradora?»
Receptionist: «No, esta consulta está cubierta como seguimiento.»
Term: seguimiento (follow‑up).
Lesson Learned: Collect All Comprobantes
Dominican insurers demand:
- Factura con NCF (tax receipt)
- Receta médica (prescription)
- Informe de resultados (test report)
Staple copies; keep digital scans. Phrase to file claim:
Spanish Email: «Adjunto los comprobantes para solicitar reembolso de gastos médicos correspondientes a la consulta y medicación del 3 de julio.»
English: I attach the receipts to request reimbursement for medical expenses related to the July 3rd consultation and medication.
Quick Side Note: Cultural Warmth vs. Medical Formality
Dominican doctors oscillate between formal usted and warm humor. After diagnosing gastritis, mine joked:
Spanish: «Deje esos chimis y verá cómo se mejora.»
Drop those late‑night burgers and you’ll see how you improve.
The subjunctive se mejora felt like prescription plus paternal advice.
Cheat Sheet of Essential Phrases
- «Quisiera agendar cita con…» — I’d like to book an appointment with…
- «Siento dolor aquí, desde hace…» — I feel pain here, since…
- «¿Lo cubre mi seguro?» — Does my insurance cover it?
- «Necesito factura con mi cédula.» — I need a receipt with my ID.
- «¿Cuándo puedo retirar los resultados?» — When can I pick up the results?
Print, pocket, repeat.
Beyond the Basic Visit—Telemedicine and After‑Hours Options
Sometimes a midnight pain strikes when clinics are closed. Dominican insurers now partner with telemedicina platforms. Booking feels like a hybrid of Uber and Zoom.
Scheduling the Video Call
Spanish (App prompt): «Seleccione especialidad y rango horario.»
English: Select specialty and time range.
I tapped Gastroenterología, then 24‑hour slot. Minutes later a push notification: «El doctor Rodríguez está listo. Ingrese a la sala virtual.» Enter the virtual room.
Opening line:
Spanish (You): «Buenas noches, doctor. Tengo dolor abdominal y ardor.»
English: Good evening, doctor. I have abdominal pain and burning.
Screenshared prescription arrives as PDF. Term to memorize: receta electrónica—electronic prescription. Pharmacies accept the barcode.
Insurance Coverage and Co‑Pay
Doctor: «La consulta está cubierta, sólo paga diferencia de RD$500.»
English: The consult is covered; you only pay a 500‑peso co‑pay.
Vocabulary: copago (co‑pay). Payment processed via app button “Pagar diferencia.”
Emergency Room Scenario—When Pain Turns Sharp
Two weeks later a friend’s stomach cramps elevated to stabbing pain. We headed to the ER—emergencias—at 2 a.m.
Triage nurse fired questions:
Spanish: «¿Tipo de dolor: punzante, quemante o cólico?»
English: Type of pain: stabbing, burning, or cramping?
We answered punzante. She recorded vitals and handed a wristband: «Paciente priorizado, código amarillo.»—yellow‑code priority. Color codes matter: rojo (critical), amarillo (urgent stable), verde (non‑urgent).
Insurance at the ER Desk
Clerk: «Necesitamos una garantía de pago. ¿Su póliza cubre emergencias internacionales?»
English: We need a payment guarantee. Does your policy cover international emergencies?
Phrase garantía de pago unlocks treatment; insurer issues “carta aval.” We called hotline:
Spanish (Hotline): «Enviaremos la carta aval al correo de emergencias en diez minutos.»
Always store hotline number under “Seguro 24h.”
Laboratory Follow‑Up—Picking Up Results in Spanish
After ultrasound, the lab texted: «Resultados disponibles. Retirar en mostrador de imágenes.»—Results ready; pick up at imaging desk.
Counter dialogue:
You: «Vengo a retirar resultados del ultrasonido a nombre de Mark Coonce.»
Clerk: «Necesito número de orden y cédula.»
You: «Aquí los tiene.»
She handed a sealed envelope stamped “Entregar solo al médico.” Ask for digital copy:
Spanish: «¿Podrían enviarme copia digital al correo?»
English: Could you send me a digital copy to my email?
Term copia digital crucial for telemedicine second opinions.
Pediatric Variant—Bringing Your Child
Kids add vocabulary. Appointment call:
You: «Quiero agendar con un pediatra; mi hijo tiene dolor de barriga y fiebre ligera.»
At check‑in:
Nurse: «¿Peso actual y esquema de vacunas al día?»
You: «Pesa dieciocho kilos; vacunas al día según carnet infantil.»
During consult:
Doctor: «Vamos a descartar parasitosis.»
English: Let’s rule out parasites.
New terms: carnet infantil (child vaccine booklet), parasitosis.
Insurance Claim Form—Line‑by‑Line Spanish
Most insurers use “Formulario de Reembolso de Gastos Médicos.” Common fields:
| Campo | Pregunta en Español | Qué Es |
| Datos del asegurado | Nombre, cédula | Your info |
| Diagnóstico | Código CIE‑10 | Doctor writes ICD code |
| Detalle de gastos | Fecha, concepto, monto | Date, description, amount |
| Datos bancarios | Cuenta para depósito | Bank details |
Phrase to ask clerk:
Spanish: «¿Dónde coloco el código CIE‑10 si el doctor lo escribió aparte?»
English: Where do I put the ICD‑10 code if the doctor wrote it separately?
Expanded Vocabulary Table—Insurance & Billing Terms
| Spanish Phrase | English | Context |
| Límite de cobertura | Coverage limit | Max payout |
| Periodo de carencia | Waiting period | Before benefits start |
| Exclusiones de póliza | Policy exclusions | Non‑covered items |
| Copago fijo | Fixed co‑pay | Flat fee |
| Coaseguro | Coinsurance | Percentage user pays |
| Red de prestadores | Provider network | In‑network list |
Cultural Intermission—Humor in the Waiting Room
While waiting for labs, a grandmother offered advice:
Spanish: «Eso es maldición de puerco por comer cerdo tarde.»
English: That’s pig’s curse for eating pork late.
Folk phrases lighten stress; smile, thank them, and keep to medical plan.
Grammar Mini‑Lesson—Conditional Politeness in Pharmacies
Instead of blunt imperative:
«Deme un Buscapina…»
Use conditional:
Spanish: «¿Me daría un Buscapina, por favor?»
English: Would you give me a Buscapina, please?
Conditional daría radiates courtesy; pharmacists respond kindly.
Creating Your Personal Medical Phrasebook
- Inside phone notes app, create categories: Síntomas, Seguro, Farmacia, Laboratorio.
- After each visit, log new terms: “meteorismo” (bloating), “constancia médica” (doctor’s note).
- Review during café wait times; spaced repetition from real life sticks.
Practice Dialogue—Insurance Hotline in Bad Reception
You: «Estoy en zona de poca señal. Si la llamada se cae, ¿podrían llamarme al WhatsApp?»
Agent: «Claro, lo anotamos. Necesito número de cédula para localizar su póliza.»
Phrase se cae (call drops) pairs well with contingency planning.
Tech Tip—Digital Wallet for Health Docs
Apps like Google Drive or Apple Files can tag PDFs. Folder names in Spanish help recall: “Recetas”, “Resultados”, “Facturas Seguro”. Share instantly when clinic asks: «Le envío el informe por correo ahora mismo.»
Updated Final Reflection: From Chimi Regret to Linguistic Asset
That stormy night of stomach pain delivered more than an ulcer scare; it became a masterclass in Dominican healthcare Spanish—from telemedicine buzzers to handwritten co‑pay receipts. Today a ringing phone from the clinic no longer spikes my heart rate; it cues a mental checklist of phrases: agendar cita, orden médica, carta aval, reembolso. Each term is a band‑aid over past confusion.
May your own aches be minor, your vocabulary ever‑expanding, and your insurance approvals swift. And if you find yourself at midnight debating a chimi, remember: sometimes the best preventive medicine is simply “Que se quede para mañana.”
Que te mejores pronto y que cada consulta sea una oportunidad para curar el cuerpo y fortalecer el español.
