Free health care my butt!

[Little Chicken]

I didn't pay when I went through the maternity hospital, everything was free. But I paid for most things when I went through the GP.

[Olive]

I went public both times in metro Melbourne and paid for the downs test both times

[Bengal]

I paid $100 or more for the downs test

[Astrid]

Went public both times. RWH for DD1 and the local regional hospital for DD2. Both time had to pay for the 12 weeks, down syndrom testing. Think it was explained that it is optional, rather than standard, so therefore we pay.

Saw the private ob as a public patient (just how it worked down here) and did not have to pay a thing. So I would question about paying to see the Ob.

[willow5]

I had to pay. They said it was because it wasn't essential and it was like an elective test.

[Trillian]

Last year the Government decided to change the bulk billing scheme for blood tests when they were ordered by a specialist Doctor, so instead of not paying when you had the blood test done, they send you an invoice for payment. If you have tests ordered by a GP then they are still bulk billed, it is only tests from specialists, unless they are part of an ongoing series of tests. I see a dermatologist and I have to have monthly blood tests because of the meds I was on and lucky for me the pathology place knew that they were on going tests so I didn't have to pay, but the few times they forgot to put that on there, I was invoiced for $155!. You can then take that to medicare and have them pay their bit and then you only pay the gap, but it is still bugger all. So I would be guesing that an Ob would be classed as a specialist Doctor.

[meow]

The NT test is considered optional so that's why you pay for it yourself.

[feeb]

Yes normal to be charged for combined screening test as it is optional and not offered by the hospital done via GP or OB.

Yes you need Anti D especially as you have other positive blood group children. Ring your hospital and find out how to go about it as I have only worked in hospitals to know that woman get it in pregnancy day stay units or in clinic.

Hope things improve for you in regards to OB.