basil Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 We are currently on our stopover, we arrive on Friday. I pretty much need to see a fetal consultant asap (within days ideally) on arrival. How best do I sort this? I've found the local medicare office on the webby (it's not clear which ones i can register at, is it all of them??) and I'm about to email a local GP to see if they have walk-in appointments or if they'll let me book one now for the day we land. Will it be a problem I haven't registered for Medicare? Do you always get a temp card/ number? How do I ask for a hospital referral, just to the hospital or do I need to request the consultant specifically? If medicare fails me how does the private system work, I believe fetal medicine is only public offered as there's very few units (I'm looking in brisbane) I think i'd be deemed as urgent but not emergency so I don't really feel comfortable just walking into A&E as this is neitehr accident nor emergency. TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 I think there is a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Australia for medical care. It wouldn't cover private hospitals or specialist fees though unless an emergency situation. It is not free in Australia like it is in the UK, you need to check it out. You can go to any doctor, they don't have lists ( mostly) but you can't just waltz in and expect it all for free, that's not how it works here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basil Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Sorry I'm not sure if i worded my OP badly but I'm not expecting to just 'waltz in and expect it all for free'. I've found myself needing urgent care at an already stressful time and just want to understand how to access the healthcare system reasonably efficiently so as not to add to any delays.....I'm more than happy to pay tbh, I just don't know how that works either for a specialist centre that operates in a public hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Do you need a fetal consultant (can't say I've ever heard of them) or a GP? You can make an appointment with just about any GP and the worst case is you won't get $35 of the fee refunded by Medicare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basil Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Fetal consultants deal with multiple births and late pregnancy complications, I need one of those (v's a regular obstetrician) but I'm expecting to need to see a GP first for a referral. I'm just not sure I can get a referral until I'm fully registered for medicare, I thought someone here may have needed specialist treatment before their card came through or that wasn't available privately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Go to you nearest one when you get to Brisbane. Take a load of ID - Passport and things and anything with your address even if it is temporary and this will give you a medicare number. That is all you need for medical care - the card will arrive in the post later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest26012 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 In my experience the GPs receptionist would ask to see a Medicare card. You will be issued temporary ones when you arrive and register at the Medicare office. Not sure whether you need the temporary one to access a GP? Maybe show them your visas at the reception? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basil Posted September 15, 2013 Author Share Posted September 15, 2013 Great thanks! I wasn't sure if they still gave out temp cards/numbers.....i searched PIO and old threads had suggested maybe not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incata Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Yes Medicare give you a piece of paper with a temporary number on it. You take this to the surgery and they use that number. Your card will arrive in the post a few weeks later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic1171 Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) As Incatasays, I registered yesterday, got a slip of paper while I wait for card to arrive, needed to show passport and visa. I asked if I needed to register with a Gp but apparently not, can go anywhere, not sure re your scenarios though sorry but I'm sure if any concerns re baby/babies can present at A & E under reciprocal arrangement Edited September 15, 2013 by nic1171 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 During my last pregnancy I had some problems that were urgent but not life-threatening and was advised to go to emergency because I couldn't get an appointment with my GP. They were great and referred me to the early pregnancy service who then took over. Where I live EPAS manage all complications in early pregnancy, with the obs as part of the team. Alternatively, if you have travel insurance, that's another option to consider if you need to access private care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EukiBear Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Hi, I Have no knowledge of the services available in Brisbane but try contacting: http://www.mater.org.au/Home/Services/Maternal-Fetal-Medicine/Staff Euki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 (edited) What happens in public is that the doc will refer you to a public hospital and you will get whoever is covering consultant at the time of your appointment. If you wanted to elect to have a doc look after you then you need to have private health insurance. Our consultants work in private practice and some do consults at public hospitals. A gp can refer you to a specialist in private practice and depending on how urgent you are will depend on how long you wait for an appointment. Same with the hospital. Depending on what the doc charges can be anything from 150 to 200 dollars and some is claimed on medicare. Our system is nothing like NHS and all prescriptions etc have to be paid for. Doctors are not employed by Medicare they are self employed for the most part. To claim for obstetrics on private health you need to be in the fund before you get pregnant as a claim cannot be made for 12 months for existing conditions Edited September 15, 2013 by Petals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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