Sherbetdip23 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Hi I took my 8 year old daughter to the Docs a couple of days ago and he referred her to an ENT specialist. I have now received the confirmation letter of the date she will be seen. The thing that concerns me is that it is saying that there is an initial consultation fee which will cost $240 and around $70 can be claimed back from medicare. I didn't think that you had to pay to see a specialist if you were referred by your Doc?? My friend who has recently seen a specialist hasn't paid a penny? Just wondering what the protocol is here please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 We have had to pay similar everytime we have seen a specialist. It is 'the gap' between what the docs actually charge and the medical rebate. What ps me off is that you can't insure for it mostly. I would like to have an insurance that actually does cover everything- and would pay extra for it. Doesn't seem to be any around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherbetdip23 Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 Oh no - that's not good is it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoandJon Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Sounds like you've been referred privately - ask you GP/Doc if the referral is a private one or a public one and if it's private ask for a public one. You'll probably have to wait longer, but you won't have to pay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherbetdip23 Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Sounds like you've been referred privately - ask you GP/Doc if the referral is a private one or a public one and if it's private ask for a public one. You'll probably have to wait longer, but you won't have to pay... Hi Jo - thanks for that! I will give them a call. So much to learn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salma Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 you should get more back I get about 40% back as my son sees a specialist (dr and private scans etc) I went to see a specialist and I was bulk bilkled for the first and then a fee there after of which you can get some back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loopylu Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Sounds like you've been referred privately - ask you GP/Doc if the referral is a private one or a public one and if it's private ask for a public one. You'll probably have to wait longer, but you won't have to pay... Our daughter was referred for ENT problems through the public system in Brisbane and it took over 2 years to be seen by a specialist - no cost but a long wait. When we attend appointments they are usually 2 hours late in seeing us. I was quite shocked at the waiting time as our twins who had similar problems were referred to a specialist on the NHS in 3 months and had their tonsils and adenoids out and grommets within 3 months after that. In Qld the public health system is very stretched for elective surgery. My MIL has waited years for hip surgery and is in constant pain and can hardly walk now. She hopefully gets the hip replacement next month but I'm not holding my breath... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherbetdip23 Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Our daughter was referred for ENT problems through the public system in Brisbane and it took over 2 years to be seen by a specialist - no cost but a long wait. When we attend appointments they are usually 2 hours late in seeing us. I was quite shocked at the waiting time as our twins who had similar problems were referred to a specialist on the NHS in 3 months and had their tonsils and adenoids out and grommets within 3 months after that. In Qld the public health system is very stretched for elective surgery. My MIL has waited years for hip surgery and is in constant pain and can hardly walk now. She hopefully gets the hip replacement next month but I'm not holding my breath... OMG - that's terrible! I just called the Doc and told him and wanted a public hosp referral so he is going to do that. I then spoke to the receptionist and she said it could be a couple of years for ENT specialist! My daughter keeps getting dizzy spells and headaches so I want to get it sorted asap so it looks as though I will have to go the private route. We are looking into taking out private healthcare but I don' suppose it will cover this now will it? Hope your MIL gets sorted quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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