I can't complain. I don't have a health care card like most Australians and still get bulked billed. Suppose we are a lucky nation.

I am fortunate to have good insurance and I pay very little out of pocket.

they should not charge at all it is what our taxes should be used for money grubbing pack of losers who follow gov and big business scamdemic lies

I am one of the lucky ones that get bulk billed, however, have noticed that medicare refunds especially on Specialist bills have dropped, $100 refund on a $450 fee,

The major fees that I have found that are charged are for the specialists. They manage to always charge more than the scheduled fee. And once surgery comes into play, I would suggest that you put as much aside as possible to pay the final bill - it will be more than your health fund and medicare will cover, especially if you have a very good specialist.

Who knows on the reason why they put the fees up.

if your a doctor and love your job and have compassion for people you shouldn't charge fees

I dont pay, all through Medicare

Not good to many bills

in myopinion doctors fees vary depending on the level of service,expertise & professional ability/knowledge

This world is run on greed, so you have to expect everyone to charge more, or to ask more for their fees. Doctors are no different.

I don't begrudge the local Doctor his fees but some specialists are over the top.They( the local Dr)do have to study 5yrs & are often overbooked when they go into practice.I don't envy them either .I have private ins; & my Dr charges the agreed fees & bulk bill so I very rarely pay anythingEdited 14-Jul-21 19:06pm

I think it's probably cheaper to use Naturopath doctors. They spend more time with their patients. They use much more natural treatments. You can't get this under.... Medicare tho. The government has only allowed Orthodox doctors to benefit financially. That is how sick our... National medical care is! Edited 14-Jul-21 18:36pm

Drs fees in my opinion are way to high, probably why so many don't bother, unless they bulk bill.

I only go to doctors who bulk bill. I don’t have any ongoing illnesses though, touch wood.

When one considers the costs to the doctor, such as supplies and equipment, rent, staff, insurance & ongoing professional development, I believe costs are mostly justified.

I don't pay for doctor's they bulk bill not that I go often anyway

The AMA in Australia has actually admitted that some doctors are price gouging patient's. Some are. Yet nothing is done about it. Why? Edited 14-Jul-21 17:46pm

Yes, I'm in Australia too. But I have a mistrust of doctors generally. I Know how the system works. Just not updated on fees. I haven't been for years to doctors. I think they only care about money, not ethics of their job.Edited 14-Jul-21 18:30pm

Well private health cover doesnt mean anything its expensive and im sure that fees are more than they should be so yes too expensive

Doctors are forced to charge high rates so they can cover their university fees plus staff wages and other general business fees. Also every time they attend a routine status upgrade session to improve their abilities, they have to pay to this - so they need to cover this.

the local doctors here only operate on there cheque account and not the best for their patients thats why i go to a clinic 50 km away

A doctor trained for the human body, a mechanic trained for automobiles. as they trained for the same amount of time, why the discrepancy of fees?

up until 2013 i lived in wa for 25 years, had 2 ambulance trips and doctors bills, but they were passed on to centre-link and they paid them. now i am back living in nz i have a gold card for seniors but doctor visits for us are $19-50.

I had a really good experience in 2011, I was 45 and had a brain aneurysm and stroke and spent 4 months in 4 different hospitals. First here in Taree, then they took me to John Hunter in Newcastle, flew me by chopper to Royal North Shore in Sydney ( where they operated on me), flew me back to John Hunter, where I spent 3 weeks in the brain ward. Then took me back to Taree for another 3 weeks, then on to Rehab for 4 weeks. All for free, I was not charged a cent, which was amazing as those chopper flights and brain surgery would have cost a fortune. Although in 2 weeks I am off to see a Neurosurgeon ( if Covid allows for him to come up from Sydney), which will cost me $250, of which Medicare will rebate me $136. I had a choice to see a neurosurgeon that bulk bills, but could not get an appointment for 12 months. My GP bulk bills me.

We are lucky in Australia we have medicare but specialist are expensive

free for me,i go to a bulk billed one

I changed Doctors who bulk bill. The costs from the old doctor were so expensive for a simple thing like getting a script.

It depends on which country you live in. In NZ it’s not too bad but it also depends on where in the country you are. Long waits in the public health system and very expensive private health insurance especially if you have a lot of experience….lol

I reside in the USA. I have a Health Savings Account (HSA) too help cover unexpected medical cost - but you have too enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) under Medicare. I use private health insurance plans for vision and dental (since you gotten to see what you are eating - smile) - under Medicare (income ranges) - I am not eligible for Medicare health plans that cover dental and vision. Still, the cost of paying for medication (share of cost) is a KILLER - when it comes to my health - I do not go cheap and buy BRAND X (medication)! Hopeful, in MY lifetime - Medicare will be overhaul ((right now - doctors, medical providers, and health plans are engaging in white collar criminal behavior and getting away with my (and our) hard earned money)!!!Edited 14-Jul-21 16:36pm

Yes; what a rip off; we pay Medicare levy and private medical insurance then after a recent hospital stay/op still had to pay some more for the doctors exhorbitant fees

The word for today is GREED. You go to the doctor and walk out with a list of referrals for something and tests. All you wanted was a checkup on something simple. I have been to doctors and had referrals for this doctor as he is a good bloke. More like good mate who will sling me later for the job.

Vote.

It is an absolute rip off. We pretty much need to have health care which is a ridiculous amount of money then we very seldom come across bulk billing at doctors so you pay there and only get a portion of it back from medicare. I don't know how people are going to be able to continue paying for all of this. It really does need to be capped and it all should be be bulk billed.

Dentists are the biggest thieves.

N/A

Some doctors/specialists do over-charge, I recently had a visit to a Endocrinologist, my GP had arranged all the scans etc. so all he had to do was read the report - it was about One four-line paragraph - I was with him for less than5 minutes. The charge $222.00 and all I got back from Medicare - which has not kept up with rising prices since its inception - was $39.00! The gap took a huge chunk out of my OAP!

Yes.should be capped.

I had a painful ingrown toenail removed (on a waiting list hobbling around for 9 months) and on visiting the surgeon to remove the stitches I was really annoyed. The appointment was 9.00am, I waited 90 minutes to see her, the removal of the stitches took less than 90 seconds and the fee was $90. I won't forget that Doctor (or go back there!)

I fully believe people should pay for medical treatment. And I think doctors charge a fair amount. But you'll always have the whiners, who smoke, or drink, or overeat - knowingly self inflicting damage to their bodies - which costs money to do, but then complain about having to pay to see a doctor. Yeah... They'll pay $20- for fags, but then complain about having to pay a doctor. Go figure....

I thought they were capped. Haven't been to a doctor for some time, mostly don't want to catch "bill shock".

A few years ago the fees we were charged was twice as much as others. I dont know what happened but they did halve them and now they go up yearly. I have noticed if a script is to be sent to the pharmacy it is the same as a consultation visit to the rooms.

My GP bulk bills me so cant comment

All depends GP's have not had their Standard Fee raised in several years now and they tend to stick to the "Standard Fee" to keep the patients that they already have. Specialists however are a different story they are in Short Supply and can charge what they like and quite often they need a lot of money as they have large Hex Debts and every expensive Rooms to maintain so they Look the Part and the Federal Government has charged like a Wounded Bull for them to get the training that they have to look at patients. Now you can not even ring a Specialist and get an Appointment they all require your GP to contact them and they will set an appointment time so the actual Customer of these people first gets any contact with them when they walk in their doors wanting to know what is going on.

What I dislike is the extra charge when a medical problem is caused through and accident on the road or at work. The gouge the insurance companies.

At our clinic the doctors bulk bill so my mother and myself don,t have to pay but we are both older I don,t know if the younger ones have to pay a gape fee or not

In New Zealand people who are under the income threshold (yearly earning) will get a community service card, that will allow you to get a subsidized discount when you visit your doctor. People who are earning above the threshold will pay extra

Hospitals have become a business these days rather than a treatment place.

What I pay a doctor pales into insignificance compared with lawyer's fees. And I see one specialist privately, so there is quite a cost to that.

I think they over charge because of the way insurance works. I think they need to look at how much they are charging for things and not overcharge needlessly

As Pensioners we are bulk billed by our GP. but what I consider outrageous is the fees a Specialist charges-they all seem, to charge above the recommended fee-medicare does not cover the extra. My husband is going through lung Cancer at the moment and it,s costing us thousands of dollars.

Doctor's fees vary in each country and state. Doctors spend many years and thousands of dollars training and this is their excuse for HIGH fees. In Victoria Australia, we have many GP's who will bulk bill if you are a pensioner or unemployed; however; it is when you see "Specialists" or have certain procedures performed you are bulk billed PLUS pay a "Excess Fee" because Medicare does not pay enough. In 2015 I badly injured my shoulder so my GP sent me to the local hospital for a "Steroid" injection; I was bulk billed but also had to pay $80 excess fees....The injection did NOT fix the problem. I was then referred to a clinic in Melbourne for a "Hydrodilation" injection ( which is supposed to last forever); I was bulk bill but also had to pay $ 104 "Excess Fees" then had to have another one 3 months later and pay that excess fee again. I was once sent to a hospital for a CT scan with the dye injection; when I made the appointment I was told there is no excess fee, but on the day, after having the procedure done I was bulk billed and told I have to pay an "Excess Fee" of $ 120 on that day. In late 2019, I was diagnosed with lung cancer. My lung specialist refuses to bulk bill his patients because Medicare only pays just over $30 per visit; therefore on my first visit I had to pay him $200 or he refuses to see me. Each visit after that I had to pay him $ 180.... Medicare gave me a rebate of just over $30 each visit. I'm a disability pensioner and had to cancel 2 of my visits to see him because I did not have the money. The Australian Government claims that pensioners and the unemployed get FREE health care.....Another lie told by the Australian Government. What happened to the doctors "Hypocratic Oath?" Having said all of that; I take this opportunity to thank all doctors and nurses whom always do an amazing job and especially during the Covid-19 pandeic during which you all do an amazing job looking after patients and saving lives even though you are at HIGH risk of being infected. The world owes you heaps of gratitude and you all deserve a OAM.

Drs are reasonable, expensive for some but they are good at what they do. NZ public Healthcare system is wonderful. Those that can't afford Drs go to the ED of a hospital and get seen.

Yes I do. I don't to the doctors hardy at all. The doctors think money grows on tree and we can get it just that.

People still moan about the "State of The Countries Healthcare System" here in NZ. Yes, the staff are overworked, delays for treatment in emergency department (Scratch the surface on that one & you'll probably find just that, a scratch or a cold!) 2 years ago I was paying $NZ43 to see my Doctor, now it's $19. ($US30-$13) Free Blood Tests. No change in my circumstances nor the treatment received. Just better funding from the Government. And still we complain! A song from a Kiwi Icon back in the 70's.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvMeT2GC14

I hear some Drs are very expensive. I belong to a Union Heath Centre. Dr visits are free for my whole family

I am out of pocket $30 each time. Mine wrote out the scripts for 3 months where others do it for 6 months. During lockdown he got away with it but when he started charging I insisted on 6 months. He gave it to me. I am not sure why the difference I never asked him.

That's why Health Insurance exists.Edited 14-Jul-21 03:24am

Bulk billing for me

I go to a bulk billing surgery. There are plenty around in Sydney and suburbs.

I think that the fees vary so much depending on the number of people who go on a visit medical to see the doctor. If there is very large number of people coming to the doctor's office I completely agree that the fees became high.

I can see it from both sides. Some doctors do charge exorbitant fees for 10 minute appointments but others are very reasonable with their time and costs. In some clinics the doctors have back to back appointments and if someone runs over due to multiple items needing discussing they have to allow for that. It was once explained to me that appointments are made in increments of six minutes (60 minutes divided by 10). They allow two lots of six minutes which equals 12 minutes and three minutes between appointments to go over notes. How true that is I do not know but it sounds reasonable. I am just grateful that we have a good medical system in this country, Australia, and that we do not have to go without like many overseas places.

In Perth they bulk bill

Way ..way ..back! In say turn of the century, 1900s... doctors weren't really in it for the money, it was just a profession... and they wanted to help people. But somewhere along the line... doctors became much more motivated about the money. Not all, but many are like that. They have too much say, and our politicians allow it.Edited 14-Jul-21 01:36am

Doctors rule our politicians. Many won't work in rural areas, because it's inconvenient for their lifestyles. What a dam shame! I think on the whole many are just in it for the dam money, and the chance to boast they are doctors. They must be struggling at the moment with their mental health!. Not able to go on their yearly expensive trips overseas due to Covid. How sad for them! Or they might just be sticking to their regular golfing holidays in Australia. Many seem to do this.Edited 14-Jul-21 01:19am

In Adelaide it was always bulkbilled but in Sydney it's so expensive $150 every visit.

I haven't been in ages. I remember back in the early 200, I paid around $38.00 I think it was. Seems very cheap now! I would not have a clue what they currently charge. It obviously depends... from place to place. A ten minute consultation...Edited 14-Jul-21 01:21am

I paid $325 for an 18 minute doctor's visit yesterday , medicare gave me back $105. And I still don't know what's wrong . have to put up with being crook till I see doctor again in 3 months for another $325 . ... Also paid $78 for GP to give referral ...

I am a pensioner so my local GP bulk bills. I still have a choice of which doctor and most tests are free including Cat scans, MRI's, blood tests, x-rays and such. However, if you need to see a specialist then it becomes expensive. The government sends out bowel cancer tests and if it comes back with a positive result and you have to have a colonoscopy then you are up for a lot of money which I personally cannot afford so I feel this is wrong as I cannot have one which I should. If they send out the kits you should also get a free colonoscopy in my opinion. I think though if you have to pay for the visits it is quite expensive as if you do have health insurance it does not cover the whole bill.

Any healthcare is extremely high in cost. They know they can charge it and get it. Some doctors charge it because they think they are worth the ridiculous cost. Other because they can. Prices need to capped....everyone charging the same amount. And I work in healthcare. What we can charge for some tests is mind-blowing.