Since when do standard pregnancy related scans cost $140?! After the medicare rebate it's still $90.
I don't qualify for a health care card, is there any other way? This sure was less expensive last time around, lol. Can anyone shed some light?
Printable View
Since when do standard pregnancy related scans cost $140?! After the medicare rebate it's still $90.
I don't qualify for a health care card, is there any other way? This sure was less expensive last time around, lol. Can anyone shed some light?
Ouch! Do you need a scan? Can you just have a 20w scan, or none at all?
Or can you shop around with sonographers?
It's a dating scan. I could probably go without it..... but having had no bloods, and very mild symptoms I'd really like to see a hb. I could go without the 12wk scan too I suppose, but the morph scan is kinda important given DS's talipes. I'd like to know beforehand if I'm having another clubfoot baby so I can be prepared for the treatments. Of course this time I know what it's all about, but I'd like to keep the physio well informed so we can get treatment over and done with early on. Apparently the risk is higher if you've already had one? I'm not sure on that one though.
I just like looking inside my uterus..... lol!
I don't know about shopping around. My GP bulk bills and only goes through a certain company for ultrasounds. Last time the scans were free..... I'm wondering what's changed.
Woah. I think I only ever paid for one in both pregnancies :o That's insane.
I've always paid for scans and they are usually about $250 before the rebate.
could you get a couple of blood tests if you're worried? An early scan doesn't necessarily mean much, except to see if there's a HB. I've had a 6 week scan with a HB that still ended in mc, so I don't put much store in them.
Mine was $150 this time as well. The morph scan is even more expensive at $185!
I would say it's due to changes in Medicare caps for pregnancy ultrasounds.
Sounds normal to me too, I paid around that much
I have only ever paid for 1 scan in all 5 pregnancies and that was my choice to go to a private place for a scan. Not sure if it is different here in NSW. Can you ask your GP to do a open referral so you can find your own place to do a scan. Or ring around, some places take referrals that are not for them. Also one referral I got was from the midwives clinic at the hospital and it could be used anywhere.
Just some options that may or may not work for you.
I got the 20 week scan done at a tertiary facility with a more experienced sonographer (at no cost) due to my history of talipes (and other things).
There is usually costs on the earlier scans though, unless there is a medical need for them.
the place I go you pay for the first one then the subsequent ones are free. Although havent had one for awhile no obviously so could have well changed in that time
That sounds about normal to me. My 12w scan was $180 and my 18w scan was $240!!!!
Does it make a difference if you say you have no idea what date you are due and when your last period was?! I dont think I paid for any scans except for my 20 week one.. I was a scan-aholic!! I loved them!! Even if you do end up having to spend the money definitely get them, they're great for piece of mind!! :) xx
The other thing to remember is they aren't free. Whatever you don't pay, Medicare does.
I rang every scan place and found one that fully bulk bills it's a UNi one mayby try a UNi or learning place.
My Dr said only one scan per pregnancy had full bulk billing?
However, we have two radiology places where we are that both bulk bill all the time.
Check around for other ultra sound places in your area. My very first one was where the Dr's surgery had 'links' to and I had to pay. Every other scan so far has been bulk billed as I found another place (much better service too) and my GP now uses them.
That's for dating scans. I will still be paying for 12 week scan, around $160 rebate gives back $70ish.
It does pay to look around.
I know near me no where bulk bills scans. Even when I had a blighted ovum 6 years ago I paid for scan.
Morph scans are more expensive again.
Most hospitals eve charge unless admitted.
I had 12 scans with DS and only paid for one which was the 12 week nuchal!!
Hope you can find a bulk billing place
That's cheap!!!!! In one town close by its $265 per scan. However drive 20min the opposite direction the 12 week scan was $120 and my 20 and 28 week scan were bulk billed:
What? I'm in QLD too and have never paid for a scan before!
You can ship around. My dr only gave paperwork out for one place (the expensive one) but this referral was able to be used at the other place. My suggestion is shop around and tell them what your referrals for, your dr and see if they can take it
Do pregnancy scans really cost you? I've had 2 ultrasounds now (first was after an early MC just over 12 months ago) and the other was when they were testing my fertility and I didn't have to pay for either because they were both bulk billed under medicare. I wasn't on health care card for either one and they were done through 2 completely separate companies. I knew that you paid if you were under a private fund but I thought they were just all covered under medicare except the 4D which you obviously pay for.
I think it will largely depend on the organization you go to. I've had some bulk bill and others not. Both 12 w scans and 20 week scans were billed. Only emergency scans were bulk billed.
It's very variable between radiology places so by all means ring around. I paid some out of pocket for all my scans but was happy to as it was a really good practice and the scans were done by a doctor not just a radiographer.
I thought with early dating scans you couldn't claim ANY Medicare unless the referring doctor writes that it's a pregnancy from fertility treatment.
No I take that back. I looked it up and there's a long list of reasons Medicare will pay for an early dating scan. Uncertain dates is one of them.
Wait a minute, that's what my dr wrote on my referral. As he has every time i've had a dating scan. And its always been free. Maybe the woman on the phone was misinformed? Time to do some googling.
There are 3 organizations where I live that do scans. One is fully bulk billed (public hospital) one is fully bulk billed up to 12 weeks (private) and another one is bulk billed for health care card holders only for all BUT the morph scan (also private) so they must all be different.
Is there a public hospital near you?
There is a public hospital near me, yes. I was wondering if maybe going to a hospital would be the go. Thing is, I've only ever gone to hospital for a scan in an emergency, or to confirm a mc...... and they wouldn't scan me... :rolleyes:
Am I supposed to book in or something? Wouldn't they just tell me to find a radiology clinic?
Geez, you'd think I was a first timer with all the questions!
I was under the impression that all public hospitals had some form of radiology facility... whether on site or not. Call and ask them... and yes, you would have to make an appointment
Public hospitals can still bill you, they are under no obligation to bulk bill you especially if you are an out patient (ie not admitted at the time).