Cost for Blood Tests

[foxychick]

hi, Just a quick question, as the whole medicare thing confuses me at times!

Took my little boy for blood tests the other day - referred by doctor, now I have an invoice, of which the gap is $80. Is this standard?
I have had blood tests before with no fee at all????

Is it just another example of the weird system?

He is all ok - which is good, but makes it seem like a waste of money

[andy and lindsey]

I have bloods done too for myself Rachel with no gap - Was it a specialist test??? Dont know whether this would make any difference and where did you have it done, I had mine at IMVS - was it something that necessitated a hospital vist. The system - particualarly the gap system baffles me and I work in healthcare!

[xhaylesx]

I have had about 30 billion blood tests in the last 3 months, some through Dr some through specialist at hospital and I have never ever been charged.

[andy and lindsey]

A friend of mines child had allergy testing and I think that they were charged for this.

Lindsey

[Bakers]

It is very strange & confusing i've had lots of blood tests done with no charge due to being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes then i was sent for scan at doctors by Marion centre again no charge then i had to have another done Monday & this time was sent to Benson Radiology in Morphett Vale & was hit by a $110 gap total would have been $202.75 really don't get the charges here no matter how many times i've read medicare booklet??? Tess

[Angela]

Its definitely confusing gap no gaps , I know that Ash was referred & when I made the appt I asked if if there would be any charge, a couple of q's were asked & then I was told no, he did get an invoice after his treatment but it didn't need paying it was more of a receipt.

[foxychick]

Yes Angela - I have had this invoice but really only a recipt thing before so I rang up to question it, woman on phone told me I have to pay $80 - need to get my arse in gear and make a trip to medicare office I think.

It wasn't allergy testing, just to test for diabetes

[lorluc]

Three of my kids have had blood tests over the past year or so, and I wasnt charged....but then our doctors bulk bill.....maybe that's the difference?

[squeaky]

I'm in the health system (newly) and i struggle with the whole medicare bit but i think if the surgery bulk bills then everything is covered by medicare. Some surgeries gap so a top up is needed to bridge the gap from medicare to the fee's charged by the Dr/surgery. These are payable by the patient but some can be reclaimed against medicare but the patient needs to take receipts etc to the medicare office. I know most of the patients at trinity medical centre are bulked so patients no have to pay
Hope this helps