Bridgeman Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Can anyone clear up some confusion please? OH will probably need to be referred by a GP to a specialist for a medical problem. Our limited health insurance doesn't cover this. I understand that people normally pay to be referred to a specialist, but I have been told she should ask to be referred via the 'public system'. Does this mean that seeing the specialist is free or will there still be a cost involved? Also if she needs an op, as we don't have private hospital insurance, will this be free? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Sure someone more knowledgeable will be along, but I think it will be free. All my paperwork from my GP (which doesn't bulk bill) said that any specialist referrals would be free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 It would be free but you may have to pay for scans etc., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 If you see the specialist at the outpatient clinic it will still depend on whether you are on a pension or health care card. There will be something to pay as a copayment and the specialists usually tell you what it is. If they don't its prudent to ask if there is any payment. If you see the specialist in his rooms then you pay the whole fee and each specialty and depending on the specialist can be quite expensive. One hundred and fifty dollars is not an unusual amount for a first appointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Hi IYou can get seen by a private and then get referred through the public system, its a LOT quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairystar32 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 If you get seen though the public system it is free, I just reread your post, I had thought you were being seen private. All my public treatments, scans and surgery have cost nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Can anyone clear up some confusion please? OH will probably need to be referred by a GP to a specialist for a medical problem. Our limited health insurance doesn't cover this. I understand that people normally pay to be referred to a specialist, but I have been told she should ask to be referred via the 'public system'. Does this mean that seeing the specialist is free or will there still be a cost involved? Also if she needs an op, as we don't have private hospital insurance, will this be free? The majority of people don't pay to see a specialist (just). It will be free to see a public specialist in an outpatients clinic, and free hospital treatment at a public hospital (assuming you are PR). The only reason that a specialist will charge a co-payment in a public hospital is if they have permission to operate private rooms on the grounds of the public hospital which is sometimes done. There should be clear signs indicating whether it is a public, private or mixed clinic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Wife has seen numerous specialist and had a full MRI scan at no cost even though one was at a private hospital as was the MRI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgeman Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 Many thanks, that's reassuring. I suppose there is the usual long wait here as in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleW Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I was referred to a specialist last year and I only had to wait 1 week for an appointment. It would have been quicker but I couldn't get to the earlier appointments offered. All my treatment was free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
millers Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I had an operation 3 months after we got to Queensland from the uk and i came with an existing condition( which was diagnosed 2 weeks before we flew out to Queensland) and i saw my gp in OZ which was bulk billing and was referred to a consultant at the public hospital and the only thing i paid for was the scans....my operation and the consultant appts were free... just had to pay for the prescriptions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridgeman Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 I was referred to a specialist last year and I only had to wait 1 week for an appointment. It would have been quicker but I couldn't get to the earlier appointments offered. All my treatment was free. Thanks, that sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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