My son today ended up with a piece of wood impaled in the ball of his foot. I was unable to remove the wood myself. This necessitated a visit to the medical practice to see if the clinic nurse could remove the wood. I thought it was better to go to my local medical practice so I wouldn’t be attending the accident and emergency for a little thing, thus taking up valuable resources.
After this visit, I find I sympathise with people going to A & E for small problems.
The clinic nurse told me a doctor would have to look at it. After the doctor had a look at it, he gave a local anaesthetic and after a suitable amount of numbing time, he proceeded to remove the wood. To do this he had to cut the foot a little and so my son ended up with three stitches.
The hurtful part of this is that all up, it cost $305 of which I received a rebate of $127 from Medicare.
I am fortunate to be able to sort of afford this medical bill. How on earth do people on the pension or Newstart afford bills like this? They can’t. That’s why they go to the hospital accident and emergency rooms. They can’t afford $75 for a doctors visit and they sure as hell can’t afford an extra $130 odd for a treatment.
Trying to find a doctor who bulk bills is virtually impossible.
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What’s Your opinion?
No wonder the accident and emergency rooms are stressed
Oldest to Newst
PatMan said :
Lawyers and Accountants aren’t supplemented by the tax payer through financial initiatives…
and how is your son now, anyway? hope he heals quickly and learns to wear shoes as needs be… 🙂
Bosworth said :
Probably not. Most riotactors seem to have a great deal of trouble understanding the concept of fungibility.
dungfungus said :
Err, OK, how about we try another tack and look at the actual numbers.
In 2010-11 the Commonwealth collected $8330 million from the Medicare levy and spent $57 240 million on health. You’ll notice that for every dollar the Commonwealth gets from the Medicare levy they spend $6.87 on health. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme alone cost $10 337 million and we are ignoring here that the states and territories also contribute to the cost of running hospitals.
I think the AMA playing argy-bargy with the government does have an impact on service delivery IMHO. They are one of the most influential lobby groups in the country, and Im pretty sure people who work at Dept. Health and also Medicare may be able to comment further. Sorry, its the cynic in me but I do think we are being played at times.
All that being said, I have the opinion that there are alot of people at that hospital who try their best to offer the best care.
Having to service NSW as well (despite the fact we eventually get out billing right and get some money back off them) doesnt help service levels either I would think.
gooterz said :
If you lose your job/become seriously ill/have major accident, trying to send the kid back were it came from/sell it for parts does not end well…
I guess if there’s anything positive to come out of this, it’s that you’re $178 closer to reaching the Medicare Safety Net threshold, after which you can look forward to 80% of your medical bills back!
Oh..
/end sarcasm
Brianna said :
And neither should they.
Poor people don’t deserve healthcare. Survival of the fittest and whatnot.
So it cost you $178
“How on earth do people on the pension or Newstart afford bills like this?”
My question is, why do people on pension or newstart have kids if they can’t afford them?
Some very interesting comments. Don’t get injured? Yeah, right. :o) I am thankful for the expertise made available to me by my doctor. The reason I posted was to point out WHY the accident and emergency rooms are often so crowded and over used. The government keeps complaining that people could have gone to their doctors for the minor problems that are clogging the emergency rooms. My point is that people on low incomes can’t afford the doctors.
Don’t get injured
Problem solved
I’m 45 and recently asked a GP about a general check-up, not having had one for a while. He told me there’s a comprehensive check-up – 90 minutes of nurse time then a doctor – which is completely government-funded. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/3187C9D8567E611CCA2572F1007F0175/$File/Fact%20Sheet.pdf
Great. But what surprises me is that nobody in the gubbernment told me. They could easily write to me through Medicare who have all my details.
IP
A few points:
* If your toilet is blocked, or you have a leaking pipe, etc… you need to call out a plumber as an emergency. Good luck get a bulk billing plumber.
* Medicare rebate for doctors has not increased with inflation since it was introduced (of course if it had then the government would probably not be able to afford it)
* Presenting to the accident and emergency department with a genuine accident is appropriate.
* GPs have to do 6 years (at least) of university education, followed by 2 years of hospital practice (at least), followed by 3-4 years of training in a GP practice. So at least 11 years of specialist training. As you said, you couldn’t do it yourself.
deejay said :
Australia is one of the lowest taxed of the industrialised countries. From memory, we rank somewhere around the 20th position. If you want lower taxes, go live in a third world slum where you can keep 100% of the pittance you make each week.
I would gladly pay more taxes to see an improvement in Medicare. It’s already good but it can still be better. More preventative medicine. More proactive healthcare. Get the fatties losing weight, before heart disease and diabetes bankrupts the next generation.
Depends on the age of the patient. They won’t look at anyone under 2. I think the Medical Centre in Colbee Court Phillip bulk bills patients under a certain age and/or if they have a pension card. anyone else you pay a discounted rate of $40 certainly much cheaper then the standard $70+ consultation charge.
Perhaps you may be charged $70…. have you thought about the rebate you get trhough Medicare which can be processed electronically at some practices… this is currently ~ $35.60, thereby leaving you out of pocket less than what you would be at Phillip Medical Centre…
Just saying…
In relation to bulk billing – I recently was in Goulburn working for a week and had to see a doctor. There are several practices in Goulburn that bulk bill, for all their patients. Was quite surprised.
NoImRight said :
I only go to A&E when there are no private practices open (weekends and middle of the night). I have full private cover as well as paying my Medicare levy and I would be happy to pay for treatment but you can’t get ANY treatment there unless you are bleeding to death on the floor or you are a drunk bogan who has just had the crap kicked out of you. Who would want to go near the place if there was somewhere else to go?
p1 said :
Really?
Our GP does emergency appointments for accidents like this… but then they bulk bill if you ask and block out sections of the day for on the day appointments so you can see someone at the practice on the day if you are sick.
I’m amazed that you managed to get into your GP that quick!