Thread: Modern Doctors - Its all about the money.

Yes some doctor do that, and it easier to blame it on diabetes than looking for something else. Mario for some year he only had to take tables. But later on he had to injected twice a day. He was always concern about his feet and he looked after them and I did and his support workers later on. It was lucky that he found his new doctor that was so caring and nothing was any trouble. I can remember one appointment that I went with him to see the doctor when he knew time will run out. He asked the doctor to look after me when he goes, he was that kind of person puts everyone ahead of himself, even when he knew that he wasn't going to be around. I still miss him soooo much. Heather

Hello All,

My concern with modern doctors is their secret deals with allied health professionals. You go in for a health care plan for such things as a dietician or an exercise physiologist. The next minute you are referred to one that the clinic recommends. The same thing applies to medical imaging. There may be multiple providers located in the town - however, you get sent to a particular one - as per the medical centre's recommendations.

I went to the recommended dietician and they wound up trying to sell me some magic potion. I had great difficulty in getting them to fill in the referral to another dietician that I had found to be much more honest and competent compared to the medical centre's preferred supplier. It makes me wonder if there is a sweet-heart deal where the allied health supplier who gives the medical centre the biggest kick-backs are the ones that get referred to during health care plans.

There was a big stink in the media at the start of this year about similar rorts. Then suddenly the medico's launched a campaign against bulk-billing that caught the media's attention and articles about the rorts were forgotten. An excellent case of misdirection AMA clap ... clap ... clap. Meanwhile, the kickbacks and rorts continue and the Australian taxpayer is still being ripped off.

I will now step down from my soapbox.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hello All,

Here is another post about the medical system in general. I was referred to a specialist - an Ophthalmologist by a doctor. The Ophthalmologist does not bulk bill. The bill for the consultation and related tests was close to $400. My reimbursement from Medicare was $40.

Last year I was again referred to by a doctor to see a medical specialist. Due to an anomaly found in a prior test the specialist recommended a more invasive test be performed. This test was not covered by Medicare and I had to pay the whole amount. If I was not working at the time I could not have paid for this test. This was not a cosmetic procedure related to my vanity. It was a test recommended by specialist medical practitioner that I was referred to by a doctor. The purpose of the test was to ascertain if I had a life threatening condition and to map out where to from there after the test results came in. Luckily for me the test results came in showing nothing sinister - so, no further treatment was required. I cannot understand where a whole referral process is followed to find out the possible treatment of a life threatening condition and it is not covered by our medical system.

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Last year I was again referred to by a doctor to see a medical specialist. Due to an anomaly found in a prior test the specialist recommended a more invasive test be performed. This test was not covered by Medicare and I had to pay the whole amount. If I was not working at the time I could not have paid for this test. This was not a cosmetic procedure related to my vanity. It was a test recommended by specialist medical practitioner that I was referred to by a doctor. The purpose of the test was to ascertain if I had a life threatening condition and to map out where to from there after the test results came in. Luckily for me the test results came in showing nothing sinister - so, no further treatment was required. I cannot understand where a whole referral process is followed to find out the possible treatment of a life threatening condition and it is not covered by our medical system.

Kind regards
Lionel

Same happened to me recently,had to pay for everything,and they found nothing.
Oh well,good to know i have nothing going on,but it did cost quite a few $$$.

I recently had radiation on a skin cancer,BCC.Cutting it out was not really a great option,as i would be on crutchers for at least three weeks.
Medicare paid for everything,i couldn't believe it.
When i recently went to the skin guy for an annual check,seems i now get more back from Medicare for every consultation, because i have claimed more than a certain amount this year.Seems odd,the more one claims,the more one gets back.
I am pretty sure it was the radiation costs that put me into the higher bracket.

Back to Doctors,i have been seeing a Doc for well over 30 yrs,i have found him great.
Two years ago he moved to another Medical center,with no appointments,so one has to turn up and sit around,often for longer than 2 hrs to see him.
It is a real pain,i just don't have that sort of time to waste.
The only other option is to move on to someone else,i have tried this before,but have never found anyone as good.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

Here is another post about the medical system in general. I was referred to a specialist - an Ophthalmologist by a doctor. The Ophthalmologist does not bulk bill. The bill for the consultation and related tests was close to $400. My reimbursement from Medicare was $40.

Last year I was again referred to by a doctor to see a medical specialist. Due to an anomaly found in a prior test the specialist recommended a more invasive test be performed. This test was not covered by Medicare and I had to pay the whole amount. If I was not working at the time I could not have paid for this test. This was not a cosmetic procedure related to my vanity. It was a test recommended by specialist medical practitioner that I was referred to by a doctor. The purpose of the test was to ascertain if I had a life threatening condition and to map out where to from there after the test results came in. Luckily for me the test results came in showing nothing sinister - so, no further treatment was required. I cannot understand where a whole referral process is followed to find out the possible treatment of a life threatening condition and it is not covered by our medical system.

Kind regards
Lionel

When I had my double knee replacement done which I chose to the two at the same time due to a blood clotting condition & didn't want to risk it twice., by having the two done I was out of pocket over $7000. if I had them done one at a time, I was out of pocket $1000 for each OP. When I pointed out that I had saved then the extra expense of two theatre & two hospital stays, my private health provider could not give a reason & blamed Medicare. So, I put the same question to Medicare & they blamed the private health provider. Just can't win sometimes. I did end up getting four blood clots.

Originally Posted by 1950landy

When I had my double knee replacement done which I chose to the two at the same time due to a blood clotting condition & didn't want to risk it twice., by having the two done I was out of pocket over $7000. if I had them done one at a time, I was out of pocket $1000 for each OP. When I pointed out that I had saved then the extra expense of two theatre & two hospital stays, my private health provider could not give a reason & blamed Medicare. So, I put the same question to Medicare & they blamed the private health provider. Just can't win sometimes. I did end up getting four blood clots.

I think they deliberately try to make it confusing, as when I went to a private hospital for a kidney stone, I ended up with 5 bills which some of was paid for by my health fund and some by Medicare and some both paid part of, and some neither would pay! It was all so complicated I just copied all the bills and sent them to both parties.

Originally Posted by 101RRS

I have been with my current GP for 25 years and have been very happy with him. Doesn't bulk bill but gives you the time to go through things and has planned 20-30 minute consultations. He is about 15 years younger than me and keeps abreast of changes that good GPs should be aware of.

Unfortunately he developed some medical issues of his own and has retired - time for a new GP. 4 years ago a new GP medical centre opened nearby and I put my name down but not used them so I checked I was still on their books.

Booked in and saw a nice young lady doctor. As I am a new patient I prepared a detailed list of my ailments and all my medications with the aim of this first visit to introduce my self and to quickly run through the list. Well straight off she was not really interested and reminded me we only have 10 minutes for the consultation and did I have any specific issues. During the consultation I was reminded twice more that we only had 10 minutes. It seemed to me that the clock and the associated money was more important than what the patients needs were.

I showed her a mark on my arm and she seemed more happy with that rather than what I wanted to talk about.

10 minutes were up and out the door. Told to leave my information at the front counter - not interested in my out of control diabetes, my gastric reflux etc etc etc. I felt I was just a money making machine.

Now this mark on my arm requires follow up and I will let this GP do that but in the meantime on the lookout for a new GP who does have a patient focus and not the Cha Ching $$$$$$$.

Grumble over.

Garry

That sounds a shocker plus Garry! I always suggest a 'test drive' to see if a Doctor fits you and your needs as one size does not fit all. That one does not sound like a keeper at all!

One of mine is quick and minimal treatment if possible is common. Loved by the Doctors crew. Another is almost always 30 minutes and loved by that doctors patients. It's a bit soul destroying at time listening to those who we cannot fit in each day. No new patients for us for years really. Happily that allow them to see their current patients in a reasonable time frame. We Knock back 10 to 20 odd per day usually.

With four Doctors it is very often very clear a specific Doctors patient seeing another doctor can be very unhappy with the replacement Doctor.

Have to add the reverse is true as well. Sometimes the Doctor cannot stand the other doctors patient.

When you have a good fit to one stick to them!

Just like uncommon 'Common sense' A great fit with a GP can be rare but well worth the effort to get one for your longevity!

At least you still have the ability to specify a particular doctor. Under UK system you apply to a surgery and they decide if they want to take you on. You are then allocated a doctor who is available when you make an appointment. There is no your doctor so you see a different one each time. If the surgery decides that they do not want you on their books they can just cancel you and you have to find another surgery