I went to a doctor surgery a few days ago, to get my annual (free) flu shot They also offered, and I accepted, a (free) pneumonia shot
While waiting the compulsory fifteen minutes after the shots, I was watching the info ads on the in house TV
They were showing adverts about people saying that they could not afford to see a doctor.
They were more or less saying, (to my way of thinking), that the rebate from Medicare, to the doctors was not enough, and that is why the doctor fee is higher than it could be
I now read that people are going to the emergency department of the hospitals, as it is cheaper than seeing a doctor
I feel that this is a bit detrimental to our health system, as it may start clogging up the emergency department, more than they already are
Perhaps I am the wrong one to put this up for discussion, as I rarely see a doctor, and up to now, (thankfully) have no known need, for any medicines I am also in a private medical fund and pay well over $5,000 a year, for the wife and I
But...
I do remember one winter when the hospitals in the north of Western Australia, were advising the Grey Nomad brigade to ensure they had enough medicines, as they were clogging up the hospitals to obtain prescriptions
My personal opinion, for what it is worth, has always been, that health treatment should be free for everyone
Agree Tony. I too have private health cover and Medicare cover so reckon between those I should be able to see GP's and Specialists without any extra charge. It's been a gripe of mine for a while now.
When I had my fall I was taken to a public hospital, treated like a pile 'doggy do' and kicked out before really ready (as you know). I had trouble getting into see a GP as they were all not taking new patients. I managed to see a nurse weekly in one clinic and she sneaked a GP in to have a quick check of me. The clinic still charged as if I saw a GP though. Covered by Medicare luckily.
When I moved on to Young NSW I saw a GP here and they are not a Bulk Billing Clinic so charged a large amount. I spoke to the GP and he reluctantly bulk billed me each visit. I only saw a nurse following visits. I notice when checking Medicare details On-Line they are charging the full visit fee as if seeing the actual GP and all they did was change a dressing. He made me feel bad asking for help with his charge though. There is a Bulk Billing Clinic here but I was told to stay away from them.
Oh! I am nearly ready to move on as ribs just about fully recovered and leg getting there. A lot longer for full recovery in that area though.
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My husband and I also have private health insurance which goes up every year as you all know, but I feel we can't do without it now that we are older. I had my cochlear implant last year and it was covered by our private health. Fees $250 for the surgeon, around the same for the anesthetist and the same again for the audiologist. Hospital $500. The original surgeon I saw about the implant was saying his fees would have been around $3,000. All of my follow up audiology appointments since then are covered by medicare or bulk billed and that will be "to death do us part" once you have a cochlear. Our GP which we've been going to for many a year and all the other GPs in that particular medical centre bulk bill myself and husband. Now for 3 months, just recently, when I had an ulcer I was going to the clinic for dresssings and check by my GP twice a week. Husband has blood tests every two weeks and have been having those for years too at no cost. His medications are cheap since he became an age pensioner. Before that he was paying over a $100 a month - that was 5 years back now so they would be substantially more by now. I think we are very lucky in that respect. I've got some vein injections coming up in a few months time and they are not cheap and that specialist charges $70 per visit for an ordinary visit. Dental work is another expensive experience. Sometimes I wonder if we didn't pay private health insurance and put that money in an interest bearing savings account for the many, many years we've been in it if we would be out in front. Food for thought.
My husband and I also have private health insurance which goes up every year as you all know, but I feel we can't do without it now that we are older. I had my cochlear implant last year and it was covered by our private health. Fees $250 for the surgeon, around the same for the anesthetist and the same again for the audiologist. Hospital $500. The original surgeon I saw about the implant was saying his fees would have been around $3,000. All of my follow up audiology appointments since then are covered by medicare or bulk billed and that will be "to death do us part" once you have a cochlear. Our GP which we've been going to for many a year and all the other GPs in that particular medical centre bulk bill myself and husband. Now for 3 months, just recently, when I had an ulcer I was going to the clinic for dresssings and check by my GP twice a week. Husband has blood tests every two weeks and have been having those for years too at no cost. His medications are cheap since he became an age pensioner. Before that he was paying over a $100 a month - that was 5 years back now so they would be substantially more by now. I think we are very lucky in that respect. I've got some vein injections coming up in a few months time and they are not cheap and that specialist charges $70 per visit for an ordinary visit. Dental work is another expensive experience. Sometimes I wonder if we didn't pay private health insurance and put that money in an interest bearing savings account for the many, many years we've been in it if we would be out in front. Food for thought.
Most of your things are covered by medicare. We are in qld. And we gave up on private health insurance. if we have been sick the public system has served us well. Best decision we ever made.
if you want something done in a hurry you can pay big time if you can wait your turn for the public system it is mostly free
I think doctors overcharge because they can
We are in the qld public system and if it is an emergency you will be seen straight away. Never had a problem and thats gos for strops bowel cancer. best treatment and care ever. Free.
We gave up on private health insurance about 15 years ago, mainly because the gap in the fees that you get back was getting bigger and bigger. Grandchildren had $8,000 braces and dental and all daughter got back was $800, with private health......so wrong.
I've had 2 knee replacements, first one was 6 months wait, second was 11 months, heart blockage..........straight in to Perth hospital, Jayne had big C treatment, straight in, no charge for anything for either of us.
Like Rocket says, straight in if emergency or wait if not, must admit though that country service is better than the City......... IMO
I don't have private cover. My parents had private cover. My Mum had numerous operations. The gap cost an absolute fortune. Tens of thousands. The quality of care after the operations was pretty ordinary, poor meals & cost cutting.
My Dad did do private initially but over the years then went in on Medicare. No gap costs & better service.
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Public here . So far any thing I need Ive paid for . Then claim back . A lot depends on your Dr .. Im
WAY in front . But you have to be responsible for your health also . Right food and exercise etc .
Been working in a hospital all my life,Casualty,Theatre, and outpatients in many country's around the world, and the one thing that has caused many problem's are the people that come to the emergency department for trivial things instead of going to see a GP.
the Wife just retired from nursing after working just in the Emergency department for close to thirty years, she agreed that it was getting worse for such as that.
the system in Australia is very good, but need's tightening up.
Pomme.
Been working in a hospital all my life,Casualty,Theatre, and outpatients in many country's around the world, and the one thing that has caused many problem's are the people that come to the emergency department for trivial things instead of going to see a GP. the Wife just retired from nursing after working just in the Emergency department for close to thirty years, she agreed that it was getting worse for such as that. the system in Australia is very good, but need's tightening up. Pomme.
Agree, but it's not always the patient's fault. I cut my head on a roof overhang a couple of months back. Went straight to nearest GP to get a couple of stitches only to be told they didn't have the facilities for that sort of thing - whatever that means - and that I should go to the emergency department instead. Since when couldn't a GP put in a couple of stitches?
We gave up on private health insurance about 15 years ago, mainly because the gap in the fees that you get back was getting bigger and bigger. Grandchildren had $8,000 braces and dental and all daughter got back was $800, with private health......so wrong.
I've had 2 knee replacements, first one was 6 months wait, second was 11 months, heart blockage..........straight in to Perth hospital, Jayne had big C treatment, straight in, no charge for anything for either of us.
Like Rocket says, straight in if emergency or wait if not, must admit though that country service is better than the City......... IMO
I agree, in an emergency you can't get better than the public health system. But I think the key here is what is classified as an emergency. I had a slipped disc in my back a few years ago. I didn't have private cover at the time so had to rely solely on the public system. I was seen by a trainee doctor in emergency who, to be honest, was totally useless. It wasn't classified as an emergency and I was sent home and told to see my GP. He referred me to a neurologist under the public system but it was a year before I got to see one. By the time I saw him it had sorted itself out, but during the wait I had to endure three months of the worst pain in my life and had to take time off work, and have been left with permanent nerve damage in my right leg and foot because of the length of time the herniation was pressing on the nerve.
A good friend suffered a similar incident about a year later. She did have private cover, saw a specialist within days, and was operated on within a week. She returned to work immediately and didn't suffer any long term damage.
So, it's the grey areas in the middle where you can get better treatment if you have health insurance, and I think anyone in the health system will agree with this if they're honest.
We gave up on private health insurance about 15 years ago, mainly because the gap in the fees that you get back was getting bigger and bigger. Grandchildren had $8,000 braces and dental and all daughter got back was $800, with private health......so wrong.
I've had 2 knee replacements, first one was 6 months wait, second was 11 months, heart blockage..........straight in to Perth hospital, Jayne had big C treatment, straight in, no charge for anything for either of us.
Like Rocket says, straight in if emergency or wait if not, must admit though that country service is better than the City......... IMO
I agree, in an emergency you can't get better than the public health system. But I think the key here is what is classified as an emergency. I had a slipped disc in my back a few years ago. I didn't have private cover at the time so had to rely solely on the public system. I was seen by a trainee doctor in emergency who, to be honest, was totally useless. It wasn't classified as an emergency and I was sent home and told to see my GP. He referred me to a neurologist under the public system but it was a year before I got to see one. By the time I saw him it had sorted itself out, but during the wait I had to endure three months of the worst pain in my life and had to take time off work, and have been left with permanent nerve damage in my right leg and foot because of the length of time the herniation was pressing on the nerve.
A good friend suffered a similar incident about a year later. She did have private cover, saw a specialist within days, and was operated on within a week. She returned to work immediately and didn't suffer any long term damage.
So, it's the grey areas in the middle where you can get better treatment if you have health insurance, and I think anyone in the health system will agree with this if they're honest.
Under the Qld.system you get immediate hospital treatment if you have a serious heart problem or cancer troubles.
Just before Xmas 2018 , I had a bad heart problem and had open heart surgery in January this year.
My partner, Judy, had a hiatic hernia and had to wait 15 months for surgery.
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Nappies and Politicians should be changed often . For the same reason .
Qld is in a different world to most other states as far as public medical treatment.
My first encounter with PC, private Specialist said 6mths before he could operate "go public" can get you thru in 6wks ended up to far advanced for him so got the top specialist in Brisbane. Second bout 10yrs later (Metastatic PC) ended up at Gold Coast University Hospital "Public" took 1week to see specialist was transferred to Cancer Clinic Trial section and now have it under control.
I've have nothing but praise for all the medical staff who have look after me through both episodes I doubt I could have got any better in the private sector.
We have free Optical with pension and you only need a Senior's Card for Dental, and ambulance cover in Rates so why would you bother with Private Health Insurance to me it's just a ripoff you'd be better off putting your money in a special bank account and still end up miles ahead.
Just my two bobs worth
Heard this so many times. Private health care is expensive and doesn't really work in emergency situations. I would rather (and do) pay the levy and stick with the public health system. In many ways I am right wing but I firmly believe in national health care and infrastructure such as gas, water etc. Some things are too important to leave to the private sector.
