PM HIts Back At Medicare Reform Criticism

[icyfroth]

"When I go to the Dr. I pay $69 and receive $34 back, a visit to a specialist prior to Christmas cost me $268 and I received $72.75 back. The specialist never bulk bills therefore those depending on free health care, those that don’t work, line up at the hospital and have no problem waiting all day because they don’t work and can wait.

Those who are lucky enough to be on the bulk billing scenario don’t pay anything they are paid for by you and me who pay twice.

Why do working p...eople have to pay twice? Those with health care cards also receive prescriptions for $6, those working pay the full price for a prescription. 

Medicare costs Australia $20 billion a year and the government receives $10 billion in revenue, a short fall of $10 billion.

How long does Lambie and Muir expect Australia to be able to afford free health care, what happens when those working and paying for those who don’t work retire? Where will health care be in twenty years time if no action is taken today to bring these problems under control.

I do believe Lambie and Muir should not be making decisions about Australia’s health care crisis, is our Prime Minister joking when he asks for them to come up with a solution? "

Entire Article Here

[lind9650]

Polks, I do get Medicare  refunds for treatments. They usually cost three times as much as I have to pay, but no refunds for referals.

eg. treatment cost $342.- , my cost $114.-

It is still a gud whack out of the pension, especially when one has to see a Specialist every two weeks.

Getting old is no fun and being admonished to have to relay on the pension is even more depressing.

Erica

[boris1gary]

interesting article I read the other day and something I have been saying for ages - The majority of people with private health still find themselves in public hospitals - it's a rort and a parasite on the public health system - the industry not the people with private cover. By the way its those that don't have private insurance who are working that put the most into Medicare - private health takes it out.

Love this cartoon

[polksaladallie]

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@lind9650 wrote:

Polks, I do get Medicare  refunds for treatments. They usually cost three times as much as I have to pay, but no refunds for referals.

eg. treatment cost $342.- , my cost $114.-

It is still a gud whack out of the pension, especially when one has to see a Specialist every two weeks.

Getting old is no fun and being admonished to have to relay on the pension is even more depressing.

Erica

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I answered because you did say that you didn't get Medicare refunds.

I understand very well about specialist costs, although I don't have them as often as you do.  Some specialists do give discounts to pensioners, I always ask.  Some do, some don't.

The only way I afford health care is by never buying new clothes (with the exception of underwear of course).  And I wear top brands like Country Road.  A shirt which originally would have cost over $100 I buy for about $4 or less.

[bright.ton42]

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@lind9650 wrote:

We are on the Age Pension, but not everything is free. For a referal to the Optamologist I had to pay $120.- no refund from Medicare and every visit cost $69.- with the same $34.- refund as Icy gets. Visits to a Specialist twice a year $114.- each time and no Medicare refund. Special scans an extra $98.- and anoter $120.- for the referal.

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Pensioners are means tested so many don't qualify for the full benefit.  As for paying above the schedule fee with specialists I think it is up to the GP which specialist their client sees.  Mine is very good with me and makes sure I don't pay anything for specialist services, scans etc as I'm on the full pension.   I don't know if that will change now. 

[myoclon1cjerk]

Doctors around the country will be informing their patients which political party is responsible for the price hikes (what some here like to label 'reforms').More votes for the other parties at the next election.Keep up the good work.

[boris1gary]

[cherry*135]

The bulk bill clinics in my area  don't charge any at all. Totally free.  We have at least 3 Sth of Wgong, there is one big one in Wgong CBD (not sure if there are more there).

A person (single) on Newstart Allce (Dole) gets approx $250 a week.  Having to pay a gap of $35 as you do for a Dr visit (plus any prescription cost), would leave them very short of money for essentials - food & rent.

[polksaladallie]

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@bright.ton42 wrote:

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@lind9650 wrote:

We are on the Age Pension, but not everything is free. For a referal to the Optamologist I had to pay $120.- no refund from Medicare and every visit cost $69.- with the same $34.- refund as Icy gets. Visits to a Specialist twice a year $114.- each time and no Medicare refund. Special scans an extra $98.- and anoter $120.- for the referal.

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Pensioners are means tested so many don't qualify for the full benefit.  As for paying above the schedule fee with specialists I think it is up to the GP which specialist their client sees.  Mine is very good with me and makes sure I don't pay anything for specialist services, scans etc as I'm on the full pension.   I don't know if that will change now. 

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You don't have to go to the specialist that your GP chooses.  You can choose anyone you want. 

I doubt that there are many bulk-billing specialists, if any.

[colic2bullsgirlore]

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@icyfroth wrote:

I do believe Lambie and Muir should not be making decisions about Australia’s health care crisis, is our Prime Minister joking when he asks for them to come up with a solution? "

Entire Article Here

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I did not notice you speaking up re  Muir making decisions about Australia's refugee crisis when he voted with the

coalition on TPV's

....Hmmmm why is that do you think????

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/05/ricky-muir-vote-reinstates-tpvs-and-hands-coal...

The fate of thousands of asylum seekers held in Australian detention centres and thousands more who may seek protection was finally decided by the vote of a single senator from the Australian Motoring Enthusiast party.

Ricky Muir was the final crossbench senator whose vote secured the passage of the migration and maritime powers legislation amendment bill late on Thursday night.

[idlewhile]

They could always plant a money tree to prop up the health system when it blows out to $25 billion a year, that's what Labor will do. or maybe bake a magic pudding?