Bill for nuchal blood test?

[Matryoshka]

I just got a $74 BILL for my blood test for the nuchal scan.

WHY?????????????

I never got this last time.

Plus the annoying thing is they backdated me at the scan so not only did i have to pay $140 for that, but next week have to had it done again and pay another $140.

Since when do they bill for blood tests?

[Rach75]

unless there is a medical reason ie previous NTD or over 35 then you will have to pay to have the bloods and full scan done

[{sarah}]

I was charged for it as well this time, but not last time *shrugs*

[Lynn]

I have paid for it both times - but you can claim part of it back through medicare.

[Matryoshka]

I never paid for the blood test with DS, never even saw a bill! i did pay for the scan and knew i'd have to pay for this one. I dunno just wasn't expecting it so i guess it was a nasty surprise!

[Laranna]

I've had to pay for all my blood tests including the NT one. Got $$ back from Medicare though.

[satya]

I'm 41 and still had to pay for the NT blood test and the scan even though the blood test was marked bulk bill.

[DoubleK]

i dont remember paying for any blood tests.. but that doesnt mean i didnt.. i dont have a good memory with things like that!
i had all my scans bulk billed (my best friend works there )

[visitor2]

I never paid for mine with Eleanor.

[*Nessa*]

i never have paid for blood tests and never paid out for a scan either and with Annika i had 6-7 due small growth

I seriously cant get over the differences some states have.

[ShootingStar]

I think it might depend if you go to a place that bulk bills or not. The place the hospital are referring me to dont bulk bill so already know thats gonna be $75 then they will refer me for my blood test and i know they wont bulk bill either. You might be able to get some back from medicare.. mine i cant as its already deducted.

[MummyDuck]

According to my dad (his wife is pregnant as well as me), when they went to have my brothers ultrasounds done they were classed as a PUBLIC Clinic - that is all Bell, MIA, Gribbles etc, however bloods and especially photogammitry has changed and is now classed as specialist items and therefore all clinic are now PRIVATE. This means they will bill you and you need to claim through medicare.
My bloods were $100 of which I got $40 back. However I have not paid for ANY ultrasounds so far. My next one will be at the RWH-Melb which is a public hospital and will not need to be paid for. My first two ultrasounds were referred to Healthscan Imaging which is a radiology place that was located within my Public, fully bulk billed (no appointment/walk in) medical centre and therefore I was bulk billed for those as well.

It may pay to look around for smaller radiology places when having your ultrasound.....

Also the bloods for the NT are billed as they are not done at a general lab. They are generally sent to a Childrens hospital or University where they are graphed and this is why they are billed.

[MummyDuck]

PS.... generally if you have a Health Care Card or Pension Card you will be fully bulk billed too, regardless of where you go (as long as you aren't seeing a private Obst)

[~Raven~]

I had to pay as I was a private patient.

On the bright side it contributes to your safety net so by the time you get to the end of your PG you will only be out of pocket $5 for you OB visits cos you then get almost all of it back!

[JordieC]

I had to pay for almost everything as a private patient but blood tests were one thing I didn't pay for - I'm sure! I did get a bill from the Royal Childrens because they do the actual testing of the blood and compare it with scan to get the NF results so maybe that's why you got charged? Maybe it does depend on which state your in?

[artemis]

I've never paid for scans or blood tests.When i had my dating scan i thought i might have to but then i found out that was only if i wanted it right now.If i was prepared to wait a week or 2 my gp could refer me to one that bulk billed so i just waited .

[neekyv]

I'm 27 wks preg, in NSW and 26 and a private patient- Have never paid anything for blood tests even the NT bloods. Scans were about $235 which I got back alot from medicare...

[Zee]

Im still waiting on my bill, its going to be $79 for the blood test (I dont have to pay for the scan cause the Dr put on it that ive had pregnancy trouble) but I can claim $55 back from medicare.