Quick doctor question
 

Hi,

I've been in Asutralia for about 18 months but not seen or registered with a doctor.

I think i'm coming down with something so i'd like to see one tomorrow. I have both the reciprocal medicare card and private insurance.

WHat's the process in Australia? Are many surgeries walk-in? Should I use my medicare card or my insurance?

Thanks

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Medicare card. Some surgeries you can just walk in, others you need to make an appointment. Very straightforward process and just because you go to one doctor one day does not mean you are only registered with that one place, you can go to any doc anywhere. If it's getting urgent that you see someone, there should be an afterhours surgery somewhere close where you just rock up and it'll be bulk billed so no cost.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

You don't have to register with GP's out here, you can go to anyone you like. Most of the medical centres which are all over the place, you can just walk in, but you may have to wait a little while, otherwise you can phone and make an appt at your local doctors. Try and choose one that bulks bills, which means you just have to present your medicare card and don't have to pay anything. If they don't bulk bill, you will have to pay up front, but will get most, if not all, of it back from Medicare.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Sorry to pinch the thread a bit but I'm a bit confused? can I just ask how it works if you have medical conditions? Do you have to hang onto any handover type files you get form the UK and take them with you wherever you go as you don't have to just go to one surgery?

Re: Quick doctor question
 

You can take copies of any important information and take that, or if you know all the dates, medication etc then they will accept your word.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Don't assume all doctors will bulk bill. They don't have to. It's entirely voluntary and they can charge what they like.

And I can tell you from processing thousands of claims while working at Medicare that many surgeries do not bulk bill for after-hours visits. You still get a refund from Medicare but there can also be an out-of-pocket expense for the patient.

Also a note to the OP. Your private health insurance does not cover visits to your GP or specialist in their surgery as this is classed as an OUTPATIENT service so only Medicare pays a refund.

Your health insurance comes into play when you are admitted to a hospital and this is classed as an INPATIENT service so both your fund and Medicare will pay a benefit towards your treatment by a surgeon, assistant assistant surgeon, anaesthetist, pathologist etc.

When you are an inpatient in a private hospital Medicare covers 75% of the schedule fee - the sum set by the goverment on how much is paid for treatment - and your health fund pays the other 25%.

But be warned that most surgeons charge well over the schedule fee and you can still be left hundreds or even thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for doctors' bills even with private health insurance.

Always get an estimate of the fees from you surgeon BEFORE you go into a private hospital and ask what you will have to pay or ask for the surgery for the Medicare items numbers that will be used and get the info from your health fund.

Most health funds have a scheme which limits the amount you have to pay from your pocket by agreeing to pay the doctor a fair bit more than the schedule fee if the doctor agrees to participate. It can save you a fortune but again it is voluntary.

When I worked for a private health fund I used to take so many calls from members complaining about how much they had to pay towards their hospital treatment - despite having top hospital cover - once the doctors' bills started coming in.

You not only get a bill from your surgeon but also from the anaesthetist, assistant surgeon (if applicable) and pathologist - for carrying out blood and tissue tests for example.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Apologies. Most, if not all the After Hours Surgeries on the GC bulk bill for local residents. Assumed (oops) it was nationwide policy.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Our doctors that are one of the few that do bulk bill are always really really busy so book before you walk in otherwise you could be there ages.

Re: Quick doctor question
 

Our surgery charges $65 per normal consultation, $92 for extended and $102 for out of hours! It does state it's a private surgery everywhere. My GP knows me now and will often bulk bill the children, or me if it's a follow up. It's up to their discretion........

Re: Quick doctor question
 

My normal surgery is $65 per normal, never gone over that so no idea about other charges, kids (students in uniform or with ID included) and concession holders as bulk billed and ditto with follow up once they're sick of the sight of you ;). We have a totally separate Out of Hours surgery that is never open during normal hours - all BB. We couldn't find a fully BB surgery when we arrived so settled with this one, my doc is awesome. A friend moved over and was told of a fully BB surgery but I can't be arsed to drive that far and build up a new relationship.:D

Re: Quick doctor question
 

My town has no bulk billed doctors, even though we have plenty of doctors and clinics. Also out of hours is not bulk billed.

Gems