HappyHeart Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I wanted to let PIO ers know about my recent experience with the health service. I was pleased with the service I experienced in terms of accessibility, wait times and cost. I went to the GP on Tuesday after being nagged by the OH as I have suffered ongoing worsening back pain for years and it's now impacting my everyday life. I rang in the morning and got an appointment half an hour later. GP sent me off for bloods, X ray and CT scan (bloods same day, scans next day) All bulk billed (free) Both appointment and tests were free. Went back today for diagnosis and treatment plan. Unfortunately I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis (unusual for my age) and he has referred me for physio under a medicare rebate plan that means I get 5 sessions virtually paid for..after that I'll use my insurance to help cover costs. So all in all I got assessed, investigated and treatment planned in 2 days! Physio arranged for 1 weeks time (would have been sooner but 2 physios on leave) I think that represents a great service and one I'm happy to pay the medicare levy for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbio Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Wow..now thats great service!! Really hope the treatment helps your back! x x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Had second set of X rays done at Canberra Hospital this morning (no charge), full discussion immediately with relevant specialist (I'm amazed how clear X rays are these days), and straight on the list for discussion with a surgeon. The first lot of X rays were done on a Saturday morning 2 weeks back with no appt and no charge, just walk in and done on the spot. No charge from the GP either who booked this mornings effort. Oh and no medical insurance of course, it's a scam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I wanted to let PIO ers know about my recent experience with the health service. I was pleased with the service I experienced in terms of accessibility, wait times and cost. I went to the GP on Tuesday after being nagged by the OH as I have suffered ongoing worsening back pain for years and it's now impacting my everyday life. I rang in the morning and got an appointment half an hour later. GP sent me off for bloods, X ray and CT scan (bloods same day, scans next day) All bulk billed (free) Both appointment and tests were free. Went back today for diagnosis and treatment plan. Unfortunately I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis (unusual for my age) and he has referred me for physio under a medicare rebate plan that means I get 5 sessions virtually paid for..after that I'll use my insurance to help cover costs. So all in all I got assessed, investigated and treatment planned in 2 days! Physio arranged for 1 weeks time (would have been sooner but 2 physios on leave) I think that represents a great service and one I'm happy to pay the medicare levy for. Thats great HH! Where are you? I couldn't find a bulk billing GP when I got here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 Google "bulk bill doctors Perth" perhaps? Maybe with the mining boom in WA, all the doctors hae decided you Sandgropers are all too rich to warrant bulk billing?! There are plenty in Sydney. I went to one in Bankstown that opens 7 days a week, from 7am to 10pm, had an ultra sound at another place in Bankstown, also bulk billed. My usual GP also bulk bills - operates a one man practice, with no staff, no computers, so keeps his costs down. Some places do charge but they waive it if you are unemployed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 Northern suburbs Lindor, had written this practice off before as looked a little shabby from outside but husband went there and was automatically bulk billed, great Drs too a couple of younger Irish Drs and a few lady Doctors, not sure what the crack is with some who do and some who dont?? If it's a measure of a better practice I can't justify it as this practice surpasses the service at my old one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I'm sorry to hear of your condition Fiona. So glad you've gone and got it diagnosed. ( typical medical professionals never follow their own advise !:wink: ) Hope you can now get some relief from the pain and really glad the service has been good. I know lots including myself who have received great free treatment too. I hope your feeling better soon my lovely . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindor Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I did that when I first got here Mary Rose. There seemed to be a few but when I looked at their websites they only BB for the elderly and young! Happy Heart, would you mind dropping me a PM telling me where your GP is? I'm not registered anywhere and the one I go to almost rolls his eyes when I walk in and keeps telling me how busy he is as he has too many patients and can't take any more! I have RA and need monthly blood monitoring so it would be good to have a more pleasant experience every four weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted September 12, 2013 Author Share Posted September 12, 2013 I know Cath...nurses are the worst....I just thought it was a bit of back pain..goes with the job etc but when I started having problems doing normal stuff and it's there all the time I followed husbands advice (a first) Thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina2 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I can only assume you are lucky and live in a large town/city ? We have 12000 in our town and not one GP bulk bills $60 for 10 minuets with a doctor and normally it takes a couple of days to get an appointment. We do have a hospital of sorts but 100 years old and has a really bad name for stuff ups in treatment. They are building a new "small" hospital but sadly getting specialist to come to town is almost impossible. We are 3 hours north of Melbourne. Xrays $90, CT scan $500 but you do get a rebate of some of the fee from Medicare. Normally we make the 90km drive to the next major town where Xrays and CT scans are free. Needs to be a better plan for health care really so it is fair for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolac34 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 We've moved house this year so went and tried out a new bulk bill doctor near us, didn't like him though. Was ok for a straight forward repeat prescription but if I was actually sick or had a problem I wouldn't go back. Will be heading back to my Dr's in Shenton Park instead, costs me $45 after the medicare rebate, but it's worth it if you like your doctor (and can understand what they say). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Ropey HOFF Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 My cousin who lives in Brisbane had a triple heart bypass and said the treatment was brilliant. My wife had a disc out of her back L4 or L5 I think it was, it was at St James in Leeds, she hasn't had a problem since and that was in 2001. Nurses are cursed with bad backs, it goes with the job. Best of luck gal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeegieDave Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 So far I've had nothing but positive service here in Aus.. I keep well and rarely get ill but a couple of months ago I had terrible pains around my kidneys and felt like I was peeing razor blades.. Went to Docs, had CT scan the following day and results the day after and got my urine results tests from the doc the same day.. Turned out to be a bad kidney infection but the speed and efficiency of tests and results was excellent... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 I think thats the thing isnt it.....the access to diagnostic imaging which is so quick and easy...you wait for weeks for so called urgent scans in the UK (I dont want to do Oz v Uk) just stating the difference. CT scanners in every suburb almost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 I can only assume you are lucky and live in a large town/city ? We have 12000 in our town and not one GP bulk bills $60 for 10 minuets with a doctor and normally it takes a couple of days to get an appointment. We do have a hospital of sorts but 100 years old and has a really bad name for stuff ups in treatment. They are building a new "small" hospital but sadly getting specialist to come to town is almost impossible. We are 3 hours north of Melbourne. Xrays $90, CT scan $500 but you do get a rebate of some of the fee from Medicare. Normally we make the 90km drive to the next major town where Xrays and CT scans are free. Needs to be a better plan for health care really so it is fair for everyone. Hi Tina, I live in the metro area of Perth and there are a lot of bulk billing practices around here, I drove past a new practice only last week with a big sign outside saying bulk billing here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina2 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Hi Tina, I live in the metro area of Perth and there are a lot of bulk billing practices around here, I drove past a new practice only last week with a big sign outside saying bulk billing here! Yep a huge difference between country and city. We lived city for many many years and had fantastic medical service. We are in the country on contract but have been looking at places to retire, have to say we now love living in the country. We looked at a place called Glen Innes in western NSW, rang the doctors surgery to check out medical facilities, they have 2 lists, one you go on for around a year which is the list you wait on to get on the "waiting list " LOL once you get on the "waiting list" it is around another 2 years before you get accepted as a patient of the GP ! Only alternative is to drive 45 minuets to Armidale to see a GP. They told me doctors don't want to work in the country very sad really. I know if I lived in Melbourne it would be a different story. Family live on the Gold Coast Qld, and have no issue finding bulk billing doctors and all sorts of services that are covered by Medicare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted September 13, 2013 Author Share Posted September 13, 2013 The price of living rural I guess..also to be factored in that if you ever need inpatient treatment you're going to be a long way from home and family....Don't think that will stop us from pursuing our country dreams though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina2 Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 The price of living rural I guess..also to be factored in that if you ever need inpatient treatment you're going to be a long way from home and family....Don't think that will stop us from pursuing our country dreams though Yep exactly right its a balancing act, you just have to accept you have less services in the country but you gain so much in the way of life style. As long as there is an ambulance service in town or close by if something really bad happens then you can work around other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ptp113 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 It's simple maths. 23 million in a country roughly the size of the U.S means there can't possibly be top facilities in every town. There just isn't the tax base to cover it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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