Free health care my butt!

This is my third pg, and the first time i have been sent a bill for the downs syndrome blood test.. And I'm not talking about $30 or $40..... I'm talking over $100 !!!! While I was in the pathology, the two nurses were talking about paperwork to do with my test, to make sure that it was all done properly to make sure that the RCH would not Bill me for the test. But they have. Since when does this happen?

Just because I moved to the country, does that mean I have to pay for everything? I even need to pay to see the freeing ob! They don't do shared care around here. It costs me $53 to see the ob, I might get $20 back from Medicare (according to the medical clinic receptionist). Anyway, getting sidetracked. Actually no. I'm not. Sorry, I am so peeved about being entitled to free health care and being charged through the nose.

I'm also a negative blood type, and the ob (who happens to work at the only clinic in town with obs, so you have to pay, unless you have "the right letter on your health care card" - which I don't apparently), says that even tho ds was a positive blood group (im pretty sure he is), that i still need the anti-d injections. The first of which i am overdue for. I am quite sure that i have read that after you have a positive blood group baby that you don't need any anti d for future pregnancies. Am I correct? I don't even know where the f I am supposed to go for it. The ob just gave me a script or referral. Dunno, filed it and lost it on the shelf somewhere. I guess if i have to go to the pathology for it that i will get another Bill I can't afford.

Further whinging, did the depression questionnaire with the ob, and he wrote down that i have no issues at work. In the same appointment we talked about my boss (read my work thread) ! Um, hello! Are you stupid? He did, however pit on to "watch for fainting attacks during labour". Why? To knock me out and give me a ceasar?

And lastly, while i was in hospital at the start of December, I was reading some maternity info for that hospital, and it mentioned the vmr, so I asked when I would be getting mine (as I couldn't remember when i got them with the other two), and the mw said that they don't bother to use them anymore, cos the doctors don't bother to fill them in. Hello again! Isn't the point of the vmr to have this info about you and your unborn with you, where ever you may go? Anyway, she was right, cos my ob never fills them in. NOTHING has been filled in.

As you can tell, I am really annoyed at all this. It has got to the stage where I don't want to see my ob ever again (seriously) and am wondering what other town I can go to for my pg care. This has got to me so much that i am in tears.

I think the thing to remember is we don't have 'free healthcare' in Australia. Some health care is subsidised through Medicare but we don't have universal no cost medical treatment.

Eta: I just wanted to add that I am not saying that to be mean or anything...I just think it helps to think of it a different way. Imagine how much everything would cost if it wasn't subsidised!! We are really, really lucky, even if we sometimes have to pay a little out of pocket.

Okay. But why do I now have to pay for the downs test?

I have had to pay for the trisomy 21 test both times. As for the anti d injection, if you have had a previous positive blood group baby, then it is even more important you have the injection as you could have been sensitized to the positive blood group. I also had to pay for my ultrasounds with my second child, and my gp's appointments, (I shared care).

It may be a mistake - definitely check it!! Or, the Government may have changed the criteria????? :dunno: sorry, I really don't know....Unfortunately, I have not been blessed enough to have to have the test.

Hopefully, one of the girls who has had the test recently may be able to tell you.

ETA - maybe you are not paying for the 'test' but the consultation time with the OB???

I think it varies everywhere, I had to pay for all my blood tests and even scans which some where over $200 and I was public yet friends of mine were all bulk billed even without a health care card, I think maybe it depends on what the dr/ob writes on the referral? Also depends on the facility too. I know QLD x-ray you have to pay yet other places you don't. Google where else you can go get care from. Can you afford an independent middie perhaps?

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.

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

I paid $100 or more for the downs test

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.

:

---

I think the thing to remember is we don't have 'free healthcare' in Australia. Some health care is subsidised through Medicare but we don't have universal no cost medical treatment.

Eta: I just wanted to add that I am not saying that to be mean or anything...I just think it helps to think of it a different way. Imagine how much everything would cost if it wasn't subsidised!! We are really, really lucky, even if we sometimes have to pay a little out of pocket.

---

Exactly!!

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

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.

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

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.

When I had DD1 I didn't have to pay for any scans or BT's... now with the second bub I have to pay out of pocket for the scans... it is VERY difficult to find a bulk billing ultrasound clinic and even then they can only bulk bill you in certain situations.

Yep, I was shocked when the bill arrived the other day for it. Didn't get charged for it with DD. So overall, the scan cost $220 and the pathology bit just over $100. Frikken expensive scan! And that was on top of $220 for my inital ob appointment, with $90 per visit from now on.

It drives me mad that I'm private, have specified pregnancy as one of my "extras" and all that gets me is a bed in a private hospital. IMO, it should cover my appointments too, as it did when mum was having me (she tells me every time I have an appointment how in the old days pregnancy cover used to cover appointments and scans too).

So on top of the $160 per month we pay for our PHI, we're hit with these bills too, and we're supposed to be "better off" for having PHI? Bull ****.

i have paid for the NT screening both times (so about 18 weeks ago & before that 3 years ago). i didn't have to pay at the time i had the blood taken but i did pay when i had the u/s done & then a bill from the RCH (think it's the murdoch research institute that does the results?) for the pathology. the scan cost me around $200 & the pathology was about $120 from memory.

I've always had a gap to pay for scans. And sometimes a gap for bt's. After you pay your bt bill you should be able to take your receipt to Medicare and get some back. Like someone else mentioned you could ask to be refered to facilities that bulk bill if they have any in your area. I agree that Australia doesn't have free healthcare. It's heavily subsidized by the medicare pool though, well essentially by those of us who pay a Medicare levy or surcharge. It ensures that all of us have affordable access to vital medical care, so its pretty good really. So yeah, i guess try to look at it that way. I am concerned that your health care providers are not on the ball with your anti D injections though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm so sorry that you are having a rough time.

i've never been under the impression that the NT scan is free. Perhaps the place you went to privately did happen to bulk bill the whole thing somehow? But i'm pretty sure even the place I go to that fully bulk bills dating scans and every other scan possible charges for the NT scan.

I'm a little confused about why you have to see an ob every time you go to a public hospital though? Provided you are at a public hossy?? The visits should be free at the hospital and you just see midwives except for one visit where you meet the ob?

I can't help with the anti d injections - no experience there...but from what I seem to be reading from lots of places is that they can check bub's blood as soon as it's born and then give the correct injection if needed then? Maybe that's worth an enquiry?

Have you thought about getting a doula. I know it's more money...but they might be able to guide you along this journey and make it a little bit less emotional by offering lots of support?

I was not told the downs test was optional. I was just told to go and have it and given a referral to the pathology. The bill is for the test, not the apt with the ob (the bill came from vggs or something like that, related to the RCH).

With my first two pgs, I just went wherever the Dr/mws told me to go. All through a public hospital.

To see an ob here, you MUST go to one of several medical centres, the only one that has obs (and no bulk billing). They come into hospital to do their rounds of inpatients, but will not see anyone prenatal in hospital otherwise, and they do not do shared care. For ALL prenatal appointments, you MUST see the ob, the mws don't do anything. And yes, this is a public hospital.

I didn't pay for the down's testing with DDs 1 and 2 but got a bill for this one. The person I dealt with at the pathology clinic was an idiot so TBH when I got the invoice I thought she had just screwed up even more than I originally thought. But nope. They're now billable, with part only claimable from medicare.

Can't help with the negative blood type stuff.

As for the report your OB filled out, sounds like he was seriously not paying attention. Can you phone and explain you're not happy with the report's accurate and get it corrected?

Im pretty sure that you pay for the downs test if you are not in the high risk cat. I didnt have the scan with DD1 but had it with DD2 and paid for it. I always have a gap at drs appt and scans. You shouldnt have to pay for the bloods or the anti d stuff tho, I never had to pay for those.

But not too sure about the rest of the stuff. I would be having a word to the ob about the lack of recording of info and how vague they are. Its their job to make sure you have a safe and stressless and healthy pregnancy, not stressing you out like this.

:hug:

I've paid for the bloods both times too. And I've gone private and public. I think you get about 60$? Back from Medicare. I haven't heard of anyone not paying it

I have never paid a cent towards any of my 3 pregnancy's or births.

With my 1st I had about 6 scans as well due to small measures.

I did how ever have every scan done at the public hospital which has a imaging department that is also public.

I have also had alot of blood tests in my life and haven't got a bill for those either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is a way the gp can request the combined screening test that it is bulk billed. But generally there is a gap. It is usually only deemed a necessary test if there is string family history of genetic anomalies that can be detected by that screening test. For me, with DD, it was bulk billed due to family history. I was advised by the gp that it was only being written up the way it was because of that history. Otherwise it would have cost about $100 even three years ago. I'm not sure why you wrent charged in the past.

Even though it is routinely actioned, the tests aren't a standard part of the governments recognised prenatal care structure so the charging stands.

Hmmm i also paid for my NT scans around 300 - 400. Now im wondering why there is such a large discrepancy between prices!

I dont have a strong family history of anything, so cant understand why the tests were necessary in the first place.

I am going to see where the other hospitals and care are (far i know!), as im not very confident with any level of care here. And that has nothing to do with paying or not paying.

Hope things get better Netix and you feel more confident in your care :hug:

They probably weren't but so many people ask for the 13 week sneak peak gp's are starting to assume everyone wants it and order it as routine. Much like early dating/viability scans. In a lot of cases there is no real reason (natural pg, no history of loss, regular af so edd easy to determibe - mum just wants to see baby) but gps will still refer if asked in a lot if cases.

:

---

Yep, I was shocked when the bill arrived the other day for it. Didn't get charged for it with DD. So overall, the scan cost $220 and the pathology bit just over $100. Frikken expensive scan! And that was on top of $220 for my inital ob appointment, with $90 per visit from now on.

It drives me mad that I'm private, have specified pregnancy as one of my "extras" and all that gets me is a bed in a private hospital. IMO, it should cover my appointments too, as it did when mum was having me (she tells me every time I have an appointment how in the old days pregnancy cover used to cover appointments and scans too).

So on top of the $160 per month we pay for our PHI, we're hit with these bills too, and we're supposed to be "better off" for having PHI? Bull ****.

---

I completely agree with this - I always thought I was doing the "right thing" by using the private system because we were financially able ITMS?

But then they screwed with the Medicare thresholds and stuff and all of a sudden we realised that there's a perfectly good public system right there.

But - each time (three) we have had to pay for the DS test. And yes, the bill comes from VGCS pathology. Or is it VCGS? Whatever.

And we paid for the scans - because we chose to go private for them. If we had the scans at the public hospital, I think it would have been free. Don't know about the test though.

I found that doing through the hospitals it was bulk billed but if I did Gp and a clinic u/s etc then it cost me. Living in the country I found that I had to go through a private clinic for some u/s because the local hospital wasn't equipped for the type of u/s I needed inc the downs u/s. It sucked but thats just how it was.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk - apologies for mistakes.

No VMR is bollocks. Just had a bub can guarantee u one of the biggest mat hospitals use them.

I had to pay for the down syndrome test too but I think I got some back from Medicare.

Vgcs is a not for profit organization isn't it? Netherless nothing is free anymore unfortunately. I'd just pay it, go to Medicare and move on. :)

Netix, i hope you find an Obs, that you feel comfortable with and who is professional. You don't need the stress of worrying if they are decent Obst. or not.

i thought the 12 wk scan was standard for every pregnancy, first time i heard it was optional, was reading this thread. My Nuchal Scan numbers were so bad, i got ordered to have an emergency amniocentesis ASAP - by the public hospital.

i thought the Nuchal test was an early screening device, so that if anything was wrong with the baby, the medical people could get onto it in the early stages.

I've heard so many health professionals talk about the importance of prenatal care, i thought the 12 week scan was just part of "prenatal care". As in, women who DON"T have good prenatal care, have more problems with their pregnancy.

I pay $100 a time for my private Ob, but then get aPHI rebate on that, about half from memory of last time.

I remember the secretary saying "if Medicare wont rebate it, then send it t your PHI, you should get something back from one or the other".

aaah... the gremlins start costing money early, eh?
I paid for my NT scan, and I think the blood test, honestly can't remember TBH. The NT shebang is optional, you do not have to have it.

As for free medical... just a random bit of la de da. I was talking to the lady who does my bikini wax (:p) a little while back who is from Brittain. Apparently they have free medical over there (free doctors, scripts are free, pill is completely free... can you imagine how many woman are on the pill and how much money that would cost?) and she says some parts of britain are so bad economy wise it's unreal. Entire towns are jobless. So, that's why Aus has no free medical ;)