janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Being sent for a heart monitor test following a referral from the doctor . It's gonna cost me $240. With Medicare rebate I will probs be paying about $120. Dont want to sound a bludger but what if I didn't have $120, would I just go to the local A and E and be treated ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Why, its not an emergency, leave those facilities for real emergencies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickyplum Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 seems simple - if you are not bothered about your health, don't go for the test. If you want to know why the Dr is concerned, pay the $120. I think A&E would tell you to sling your hook anyway as it's not actually an emergency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Why, its not an emergency, leave those facilities for real emergencies so if the doctor thought it was urgent he would have sent me to hospital where it's free ? Edited June 2, 2015 by janlo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 seems simple - if you are not bothered about your health, don't go for the test. If you want to know why the Dr is concerned, pay the $120. I think A&E would tell you to sling your hook anyway as it's not actually an emergency. yes but if someone has no money, I'm sure not everyone would have $120 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Did you ask the Dr about bulk billing options? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 well it obviously isnt if he hasnt admitted you to hospital. Seems like your just trying to get out of paying. what you going to do exaggerate your symptoms? I had heart failure 6 years ago and require frequent scans, consultant visits and medication, I have to pay for mine, thats the way the health system works, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blossom Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 yes but if someone has no money, I'm sure not everyone would have $120 ? I currently have a health care card. Most places bulk bill health care card holders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Being sent for a heart monitor test following a referral from the doctor . It's gonna cost me $240. With Medicare rebate I will probs be paying about $120. Dont want to sound a bludger but what if I didn't have $120, would I just go to the local A and E and be treated ? I imagine you could be referred to a public specialist in the outpatients clinic of your local hospital who would perform the test for free. It just may take longer than getting it done privately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 yes but if someone has no money, I'm sure not everyone would have $120 ?If you were that hard up you would have a healthcare card and wouldnt have to pay anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 well it obviously isnt if he hasnt admitted you to hospital. Seems like your just trying to get out of paying. what you going to do exaggerate your symptoms? I had heart failure 6 years ago and require frequent scans, consultant visits and medication, I have to pay for mine, thats the way the health system works, There are free public specialists in the system as well ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) If you were that hard up you would have a healthcare card and wouldnt have to pay anyway! Everyone has access to free public specialists ? Edited June 2, 2015 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Yup so just wait in line and get a free one, dont abuse emergency services Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Yup so just wait in line and get a free one, dont abuse emergency services Might have just not understood how to get access to free hospital specialist treatment. To the OP you ask your GP to be referred to a public hospital specialist rather than the private option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 If you were that hard up you would have a healthcare card and wouldnt have to pay anyway! You're wrong....do have have one ...this is the concession rate ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 what if I didn't have $120, would I just go to the local A and E and be treated ? In my local area you'd be given an appointment at the Cardio Unit of the local public hospital and have the test done there at no cost to you. However you may have to wait some time for an appointment. You could ask the doctor if that is an option at your local public hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyNook Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 You don't go to A&E. As fish.01 says, you tell your GP you can't afford to pay $120 and your GP will refer you an outpatient cardiac clinic in a public hospital. You then probably spend a bit of time waiting for an appointment and a bit of time waiting to see someone when it's your turn in the clinic. But you will be able to get the test done at no cost to yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 I am obviously going to pay it .....just surprised as it's the heart...ok maybe, hopefully, not serious, just surprised it's not free from my bulk billing practice referral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Thank you for your responses. I will talk to the doctor on Thursday about some of the other options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacaranda Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Janlo hope you'll be ok?:hug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Thank you for your responses. I will talk to the doctor on Thursday about some of the other options. This may be your local hospital info page with info about free ECG tests? Hope so: http://www.cclhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ourservices/Cardiology/Pages/Cardiac-diagnostics.aspx Edited June 2, 2015 by fish.01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Yup so just wait in line and get a free one, dont abuse emergency services ...and thank you for your sensitive responses AJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 ...and thank you for your sensitive responses AJyour welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janlo Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 your welcome Ya clearly not a doctor...or maybe you are :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungo Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Ya clearly not a doctor...or maybe you are :wink: Perhaps AJ just better understands the Australian system. It is not intended to be completely free at the point of service for all, but there are provisions for those that cannot pay (like bulk billing), rather than don't want to pay. It isn't the NHS. Australia is a different country and has a differnt system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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