renth

I don't know, the Mrs deals with that sort of thing. It was hundreds, not thousands. I don't know, couple of hundred maybe, three hundred. something like that...

jad n rich

Its not fraud, the brissy hospitals even have a form which offers you a choice.

In emergency a person will get the immediate treatment needed there and then. I think this example always sums it up well, Suppose someone has a heart attack, all will be done to stabalise that person asap, but suppose that person needs some corrective surgery thats where the private comes into play, the person with private is going to get it done months if not years ahead of the person on medicare. And months even weeks in matters like that count!!

mbike

Hi
Before you call them need to read this.

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wc...ere_public.htm

This briefly explains the requirement for you to sign an election form as one of the three fundememental principals of the Australian Health Care Agreements

You should then read this -

http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/health-ahca-agreement.htm/$FILE/westernaustralia.pdf

which is the Australian Health Care Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of Western Australia 2003-2008, paying particular attention to part 6 "Eligibility, Patient status, referrals and election", sections 38,39,41,42 and 43. And Schedule E Admitted Patient Election process, 2d and e.

If you weren't asked to sign anything ("elect") then they have not fulfilled their obligation under the AHCA which explicitly states:

38. Western Australia will ensure that all eligible persons elect to receive admitted public hospital services as a public or private patient. This election will be exercised in writing before, at the time of, or as soon as possible after admission and must be made in accordance with the National Standards for Public Hospital Admitted Patient Election Processes as set out at Schedule E.

good luck

mark

lacey21

Bloody hell renth I am scared witless now lol. arrrrrrr.. Thanks for the answer NKSK.

My brother in law had a heart op on Medicare Here and he didn't pay too much. It was a major job too and they got him in fast. Within three months.

So if I slip and brake my leg then will I have to pay in the hospital for that?

If I need a heart op will I have to pay for that?
Or should I just got the insurance anyway just to be safe.

OMG my other half went to have his crown put back on cos it feel off. Isn't it a lot of money here. God! I thought that we were being robbed by Dick Turpin or Ned Kelly lol.

Trying not to get ill lol

lace xx

NKSK version 2

Just an update on this - two weeks later and we haven't received a bill.

So I'm being cautiously opptimistic that she was admitted as a public patient.

Big lesson learnt though - emergency admission - always opt for public admission.

Wave the Sails

How's she doing?

iPom

Quite liked the look of these things, don't know if it's the same thing you're referring to or not...

http://www.springfreetrampoline.com.au/

NKSK version 2

Yes - we've got one. But she went through the door!!

NKSK version 2

Doing great thanks - another two weeks for the plaster to be on.

iPom

DOH!

Evelin

I was asked (Freo Hospital) if I wanted to be treated as a public or private patient. I arrived in the emergency ward from a smaller hospital and knew that I will have to spent a few days in hospital although I didn't know for sure what was wrong with me.

I asked them what is the difference between public + private in my case. Part of the answer was that I could choose my doctor and get a single romm if there is one vacant. I don't know any doctors so it was irrelevant. I stayed as a public patient.

For a carpal tunnel operation I went private, never again if I didn't need it urgently. I had about $350 out of pocket costs, after medicare + private health fund had paid their share. We have the highest hospital cover.

One bill came the next day (I got 3 bills, one for usage of the theatre, one from the surgeon and one from the guy who knocks you out who was the most expensive of the lot). And then you wait that your health fund or medicare pays and if they don't pay quick enough, you get a nasty letter from the surgeon.