January is fast approaching and we need to pay our management fee to our OB.
After some research, I have heard varying amounts that people have received in cash back. I thought it was a set amount from medicare but apparently some are getting back from private?
Any info you could get pass on would be fabulous.
Thanks. : )
I had reached my safety net and got back the maximum I believe of $463.40. My ob management fee was $2200. I am with HCF and no extra rebate available through them. HTH :)
Can't recall exact amount but got a fair whack of it back with both boys because both times we'd reached the medicare safety net when the time came to pay the fee. If you're close to the threshold, could you pay sometime this week before you get to Jan 1?
ETA - mine were born before changes to medicare. Think last time our fee was around $1800 and we got back over 80pc. We were only out of pocket a few hundred. Sorry, prob not much help to you now that things have changed.
Thanks Angel, mine is $2000 but unsure about the details. Ta for that. : ) I am with AHM : )
Andie, sorry we must of posted at the same time. No, anytime was sweet. I am just curious over all. We were told just recently, to pay after January 1st.. No clue why..
It changed jan this year I think to the much lower figure. $463 is the amount you get back from Medicare no more 80% that's why this time round we went public! We couldn't justify the expense when I have straight forward management.
It has been capped and could be as little $300. If you google medicare safety net and obstetrics it will bring up health dot gov dot au site explaining each item the OB's use and how much you get back.
Most Private Health Funds that I am aware are not paying anything towards the planning and management fee.
ETA: Ring 132 011 and have your Medicare card handy, that is the Medicare Patient enquiry line and they will be able to tell you how close your are to the safety net and what you could expect back.
yes they changed the way rebates were made.. making OB very expensive! Our management fee was $800 and i got about $460 back from medicare as we have reached the safety net... as you are claiming in Jan you would not have reached the safety net yet so may only get back around $280 or so
the only time PHI pay out for Dr's appointments is if you are an in patient in hospital. Which requires you to be admitted to hospita. The 20 week management fee does not require a hospital admission and is therefore not covered by PHI.
In regards to how much you get back, I'd probably grab the item number from the receptionist and then call medicare to ask what the rebate amount is if you pay after a certain date. Not sure why they will want you to wait until Jan to pay it though as my understanding is that the safety net scheme has been dramatically overhauled?
Thanks guys. I will be ringing the receptionist tomorrow. Wow, not much back though. Interesting. Good thing I love my doctor! xx