Ultrasound and medicare-need advice please

[Nimra]

Hello to everyone on this forum.

I am new to medicare.I am not a permanent resident yet but has applied already for residency and recently got medicare card.
I am eight weeks pregnant.for some reasons my doctors asked for pregnancy viability ultrasound.Its really ripping off expensive costing me 200$ and medicare rebate is just 51$.
Is there any way I can get ultra sound from Public hospital? I am already booked for 12th week ultra sound which is again costing me 210$.
Your advices are very welcome.
Thanks
Nim

[Cherene]

Ask your doc to send you to MIA, they bulk bill and cost nothing

[DaintreeDream]

You might just want to check with MIA first as I went there for a unexpected ultrasound at 20 weeks due to spotting and I was charged $210 this was after me having my 'big scan' 4 days earlier, I was not happy, $420 in one week, eek!

You can go through a public hospital but I think you would have to booked in to deliver there first.

You do not have to have the dating scan if you do not want to. I knew roughly what date I concieved so I did not need one although they did offer. I choose to have the 12 week scan as my first scan.

Good luck, they are very expensive aren't they.

[LionsandBears]

You don't have to have a scan if you don't want to. My personal opinion is to have as few ultrasounds as possible. What purpose would it serve?

I think I paid $175 for a scan, but can't remember how much I got back. When I booked into a public hospital in Victoria (for pregnancy/birth), I was told that any scans would be at my own cost and I'd have to arrange them myself.

If you're having the 12 week NT scan, are you also having the week 10 triple test (blood test)?

[satya]

Uniradiology bulk bill all their scans & even mammograms. Not sure if there's one around where you are - they are in Vic, WA & on the Gold Coast.... I just looked that up on google.

Most public hospitals don't do scans now unless it's in an emergency.

[*TripleJ*]

mine was 185 and i got 85 back

[Erin_25]

Perhaps just ask the doctor, yes they are exp...my first was $195 & I think I got back $80 of it. I then found out our local hosp does scans once a month along with all other care & I had to tsf my care there after 20wks anyway. So the doc gave me the referals to go there & i have not pd a cent since!!!!! last week I got the 3D scan for nothing!!! I am a public patient & it is the hosp I will deliver at. So perhaps choose a hosp & find out from them.

[Nimra]

Thankyou ladies for replying me and giving me such a wonderful information.I have contacted several places and found Balaclava Radiology's first ultrasound is bulk billed and rest are 115$. A lot reasonable then the place my GP asked for.

I went yesterday to Balaclava for ultrasound and found them quite nice too.

Now my GP is forcing me to must go to Only "womens ultrasound Malvern" for my 12th week ultrasound.Again its v expensive 220$ The same ultrasound Gribbles are doing at the cost of 150$ and balaclava for 115$.

I don't understand why my GP is forcing for that particular place? Shall I go where I want to go for ultrasound? But Iam afraid it will make my GP upset.
I have to make decision because after two weeks I will got for my 10th week blood test
which will be directed to the place where ultrasound going to be conduct.

Thanks
Nim

[LionsandBears]

A GP can't force you to do anything you don't want. If you don't agree with them and they make an issue of it, get another GP.

I do know Womens ultrasound Malvern has some very experienced doctors attached, so that may be why they're more expensive. Their equipment may be better too. I don't know - ask your GP why he/she is insisting. $100 is a big difference, especially given the medicare rebate is the same, no matter who you go with.

On a separate note, re: upsetting the GP. Remember they are a care provider, ie, suppliers. You are the customer. It is their job to SERVE you to the best of their ability. If you don't get along, it may be better to find another doctor. Just as, if they think they're offering advice you're ignoring, they can choose not to serve you. However, they should give a reasonable explanation, not just throw their weight around. There's plenty more GP's out there, after all. Sorry for getting on my high horse, but the whole "do what I say cos I'm a doctor" mentality really does my head in If you feel bullied or patronised, find someone else.