Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

 

[Baz1960]

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

Yes, I'm caught up in pathology re-visit this week. Simply, we either trust our doctor or not. Do we guess with our health? Yes we do, often to our own peril. Last time they found a life altering condition. Reading pathology on "My Health", would have lead to a much shorter life. So tread carefully, take good advice and use our gut instant'. Basically, what we have used all our lives, to get this far .

 

[riskydave]

This is the Austr

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

This is the Australian Government spending far, far far too much money overseas and wasting it generally not looking after the country and the people that voted them in. No-one overseas is giving billions of dollars to Australia. Look at the Ambulances, The Police, the Education System, the Towns with lacking Infrastructure, Electricity, The Hospitals, this country is a mess and yet we still literally throw billions of dollars overseas for what return, none that I can see. As long as they enjoy their imported Government BMW SUV car (because they ruined our car manufacturing ability) and lunch at Parliament house they don't care about you anymore. Don't get me started on governments wasting money.

 

[Wendyfraser]

My husband and I were chatting about this yesterday, some appointments are unnecessary eg, blood results that are all ok and X-ray, CTs etc that are ok, a text message from the DR is all that’s needed and if you want to go further make an appointment and pay the gap. Also referrals to specialists that you need to see regularly shouldn’t have to have a new referral every year, that’s using up an GP appointment that someone else could use, same with regular scripts…the chemist should be able to dispense them for say 12 months and after that you would see your GP for a check up and a new script

 

[NotNats]

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

I fully agree, Dr's need to make a living as well, remember most Dr's have big overhead due to office space, staff, medical devices & supplies, office material, electricity and many more things we take for granted when we visit them. And I will admit I have no problem of paying for a Phone Visit either, as it still using the Dr's time (maybe only charge 50% of normal fee). But I will admit my last Dr's visit was a shock when I got charged $130. (under 10 mins) and only got $76.95 back (I'm unemployed and on a health card). A few years ago, I remember hearing or reading about a Dr who charged by time of your visit (I think it was in allotments of 3min's), always wonder why Dr's didn't do this more often, as I thought it was a great idea. User pays as they say.

 

[Alexander]

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

It is the old story. People, workers etc are entitled to earn a living and the people who use the services provided have to pay for this service. That is fair and is a fact of life. Medicare is a great idea and gives people the freedom to visit a GP or not and to not be worried about looking in the bottom of the purse to see if there are any coins there, If Medicare, from a decent base, kept up with CPI then a lot of these problems would be avoided. Doctors would be adequately recompensed for the cost of their study and learning expertise and time in their surgeries. There will, as always, those who try to rort the system from both sides but surely there can be some way of restricting this.

 

[MHM]

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

There is a reluctance in the pathology companies to release the results of patients' tests to the patient, and as far as I know none of the established pathology companies will email the test reports to patients (as well as the medical practitioner), preferring to send hardcopy by email. I have complained many times to various pathology organisations on the basis that the test results are personal property and should be made available on request. The response which I have received is that the pathologist prefers that the doctor has an opportunity to review the test results before conferring with the patient. Whilst I fully agree that consultation with the doctor concerning such data is sensible, there is no reason why a patient should not have access to his/her personal data at least simultaneously with the doctor.

 

[Penny4]

I've never personally met a poverty-stricken Doctor. Seems to me that this issue has emerged since covid, where practices declined seeing patients.
However, now we have to pay a gap forever.

 

[BlackWolf]

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request"
I Don't get the section saying the "GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox". What to not go on My Health Record"? To me that saying do not load to MyHR. I can't understand. I haven't had any tests record on mine and need them to. The word is do not.

 

[Lizzylou]

My husband and I were chatting about this yesterday, some appointments are unnecessary eg, blood results that are all ok and X-ray, CTs etc that are ok, a text message from the DR is all that’s needed and if you want to go further make an appointment and pay the gap. Also referrals to specialists that you need to see regularly shouldn’t have to have a new referral every year, that’s using up an GP appointment that someone else could use, same with regular scripts…the chemist should be able to dispense them for say 12 months and after that you would see your GP for a check up and a new script

A text message from the doc saying your results were fine would be nice but those who are not going to bulk bill anymore will still want to do a telecall which will result in a fee for them to say all is fine. I am not opposed to paying to see the doctor, I am opposed to having to again pay just for the results to be fine. The only way around that is if you get a text saying the doctor would like to discuss your results then you make another appointment if you don't hear anything from the doctors surgery, then all should be fine.. However that too will depend on whether you are able or willing to not bother if you don't hear from the doctor.

 

[Lizzylou]

I've never personally met a poverty-stricken Doctor. Seems to me that this issue has emerged since covid, where practices declined seeing patients.
However, now we have to pay a gap forever.

yes sadly we do now have to pay in many of the doctors surgery's

 

[Lizzylou]

Sadly the previous government screwed the health system up very badly indeed, also sadly the party in government at the moment is or has already started getting flack for it not being fixed. Things take time I am not saying the Labor Party are perfect but they came into power because the majority are and were sick and tired of how the Liberal Party was continually making things harder and harder for the average person who just wants to pay their bill, live their lives and do the best they can do for their families and themselves. To have to pay for your health is sad but at least currently we are not called America

 

[Penny4]

Sadly the previous government screwed the health system up very badly indeed, also sadly the party in government at the moment is or has already started getting flack for it not being fixed. Things take time I am not saying the Labor Party are perfect but they came into power because the majority are and were sick and tired of how the Liberal Party was continually making things harder and harder for the average person who just wants to pay their bill, live their lives and do the best they can do for their families and themselves. To have to pay for your health is sad but at least currently we are not called America

Amen to that!
Actually, I recently asked my American friend how their hospital system worked.
It's free for everyone at their emergency departments.
If they need to stay in hospital, then people have to pay.
Unlike here, the difference is employers pay their employee's private health cover.
After retirement, people pay their own private health.
Not sure what people do if they have unemployment/homeless, but I think they have to visit charity clinics etc. which is not ideal for their health.
One thing is better than here though, is their Govt has free nursing homes for aged people if they can't afford a private nursing place.

 

[Nana Zorak]

My health is another platform for hackers to try to hack for more information about future victims. This is why my doc doesn't use it. I did have to see an alternative dr yesterday as my dr had to cancel for some reason I always have to go on a pension day there was no way I could move my appointment. After all the kerfuffle of meeting this new dr, I forgot to ask for my monthly opiate script which is the primary reason for going so I have no idea how this will be repaired so my monthly Webster pack can be prepared for me. I have left the problem in the hands of my chemist. I hope it will not cost me another fee just the cost of the Webster pack that is.

 

[Vinylted]

Fairs, fair nowadays Construction workers & some Tradies earn more than GP's !

 

[Penny4]

Fairs, fair nowadays Construction workers & some Tradies earn more than GP's !

Some Tradies would - if they're any good. Anyway, it's what it is, as the Dr's have decided to charge us & the outcome is we pay.

 

[Shane/#]

Healthcare costs in Australia have been on the rise in recent years. From GPs abandoning bulk billing to the increasing cost of prescription medications, many Australians are struggling to afford the healthcare they need. As such, some are forced to reassess their expenses that go to healthcare, including one user on the online community OzBargain.

In a post with the title ‘Paying GP Gap for Results’, a member sought the opinion of other bargain hunters to see if they felt that it was fair to pay for another appointment to discuss pathology results.

They said: ‘I went to my doctor last week as I have had some abdominal pains and wanted it checked. The practice no longer bulk bills so I paid the $30 gap fee. He recommended a bulk-billed CT scan, which I did.

‘Now, I have a Telehealth appointment with the doctor this afternoon to get my results. In the confirmation text I received yesterday, it mentioned that there is another $30 gap fee for the appointment.

‘Does this seem fair? Genuinely interested in others' thoughts here.’

Many agree that it’s only right to pay for the appointment. A top comment said: ‘Yes, they don't work for free.’

Another pointed out that GPs need money to stay afloat: ‘People seem to think GPs are a charity when they're most often private businesses wanting to make a profit.’

Others wondered whether it should depend on the appointment length. One user wrote: ‘Some of these appointments are less than 5 minutes, why should I pay full fees for a full-time appointment when there's nothing to discuss? I understand if there's an abnormality a fee must be charged, but what if everything is in the clear?’

A second agreed that there shouldn’t be any fees if nothing serious is being discussed: ‘No GP should charge if your results are fine. It shouldn't even be an appointment. Just a phone call from the GP or practice.’

Another user reasoned that the fees were still justified because GPs are using their skills and experience to assess results: ‘It’s because of the time taken to review them. They look through them before they speak to you, they do years of training in order to be able to do that. Results can fall within normal ranges but be abnormal for an individual, they can be out of normal range but be normal for another. You're paying not just for that time, but for the staff booking the appointment, the consumables, etc.’

They added that the issues surrounding Medicare are also to blame: ‘It's really stupid that the Medicare rebate pays for all of that now because it wasn't originally set up for that, but costs have risen and the rebate barely has.’

View attachment 13633
The internet discussed whether a consultation fee is necessary for results that are within normal range. Credit: Pexels/Tima Miroshnichenko​

However, someone responded that they are inflating the work of GPs: ‘It’s very rare for a GP to actually look at the scans. They'll likely read the report and summarise it in layman's terms for you. This also takes work and knowledge but not as much as you make out.’

Another user wrote: ‘My father is a local GP where I live. It is a pretty simple review for uncomplicated cases. He receives results via email eight out of 10 times. If everything checks out and there are no abnormalities, it takes him all of five minutes to read through and determine whether all is okay (in the majority of cases, NOT all). So to schedule another appointment to tell the patient everything is fine and then charge accordingly, is somewhat of a dodgy tactic. I guess at the end of the day, it is up to the GP.’

In Australia, it is considered standard practice for a patient to pay a fee to a GP for another appointment to discuss pathology results. The fees will vary based on the type of service provided, the GP's practice, as well as location. However, asking the patient to pay also depends on the doctor – others feel an appointment discussing lab results that don’t need further investigation doesn’t warrant an additional charge.

The author of the post pointed out though that they aren’t being stingy, they just wanted to make sure that it was a fair practice. They said: ‘Yeah, I get that too. Maybe I'm just used doctors in the past that include the results as the whole package. I am more than happy to pay for it, I just wasn't sure if it had become the norm.’

A user chimed in to confirm the original poster’s experience: ‘Many specialists have free follow-up consultations. Well, technically, they aren't free, they are factored into the expensive initial consultation fee.’

Thankfully, results aren’t held hostage if you don’t have the money to spare for another appointment: ‘Some places enjoy a relationship with the GP and try to force you back to the GP but you can still get the results yourself if you wanted to. Call the scan place up saying you're under financial hardship and want it directly from them.’

The Department of Aged and Health Care confirms this on its website. Legally, patients are entitled to a copy of their pathology test results which they can request either from their GP or the pathology laboratory. The laboratory will inform the GP in case a request is made. However, the site also says that the treating practitioner is in the best position to interpret test results, which sometimes use technical medical language or have results that might cause distress to patients but aren’t serious when put into context.

‘This is why My Health Record should be more widely used, since you could see the results yourself. All the big pathology providers will upload to MyHR by default. The GP needs to tick the "do not upload" checkbox on the pathology request. However, diagnostic and pathology reports are locked for 7 days in MyHR to give your healthcare provider the time to look at and discuss the results with you,’ someone commented.

My Health Record, which was introduced in 2012, wasn’t utilised as intended before the pandemic. However, usage rose in the last three years, with Digital Health claiming that it now has more than 23.5 million records as of December 2022, and that most patients are using it to view their pathology reports. Moreover, 99% of GPs are already registered and using the health information storage system. Every Australian has it unless they have opted out in 2019 or cancelled their record.

All you need is a myGov account to access your MyHR. Log in to myGov online, click ‘Link My Services’ and then select My Health Record to set it up. From there, you can view and manage your health information through any device.

Feeling like going to the doctor for a quick follow-up is a waste of time and resources is understandable. But some cases do warrant a consultation, especially when there’s a need for a treatment plan. GPs, as the first point of contact, bear the burden of following up so as not to commit medical negligence that also covers failure to diagnose.

A GP also contributed to the conversation on OzBargain: ‘As a GP, I kind of understand how you feel, but do remember talking through results does take time, and if it isn't billed, we're essentially working for free. Here's what I do: I let the patient know that if "everything is fine", they will get a text regarding that, should they have more questions, they will need a consult. If there are findings that need to be discussed, then they will get a text saying they need a consult. I try to minimise those "you’re fine" consults, though I know a few GPs who get people back for everything.’

Have you or any of your loved ones been in a similar situation before? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments.

My doctor sends me to draw blood for all sorts of tests and he says if I don't ring you all is fine otherwise he will call me haven't had a call yet, the one that pississ me of is $60 phone call to get a script or $80 to see him blaint hyway robbery just for a script

 

[cjw1960]

Why should we have to pay to get results that the GP sends you for only to pay him twice? Why can’t you get repeat scripts from the Pharmacy when they can see you need this script long term? Double dipping

 

[Lizzylou]

Amen to that!
Actually, I recently asked my American friend how their hospital system worked.
It's free for everyone at their emergency departments.
If they need to stay in hospital, then people have to pay.
Unlike here, the difference is employers pay their employee's private health cover.
After retirement, people pay their own private health.
Not sure what people do if they have unemployment/homeless, but I think they have to visit charity clinics etc. which is not ideal for their health.
One thing is better than here though, is their Govt has free nursing homes for aged people if they can't afford a private nursing place.

Hi Penny4 I too have friends in America, I chat to one of them almost on a daily basis, she is always looking out for a better deal on her health insurance, home and contents and car insurance. She lives in Florida so due to the hurricane's they have there is always something else the insurance wants so they don't default on their insurance and the health insurance whenever they need anything major she has been known to change so that they can get the health assistance they need. It is hard enough I think without having to constantly be on the ball about what your insurances are willing and not willing to pay out.

 

[Penny4]

Hi Penny4 I too have friends in America, I chat to one of them almost on a daily basis, she is always looking out for a better deal on her health insurance, home and contents and car insurance. She lives in Florida so due to the hurricane's they have there is always something else the insurance wants so they don't default on their insurance and the health insurance whenever they need anything major she has been known to change so that they can get the health assistance they need. It is hard enough I think without having to constantly be on the ball about what your insurances are willing and not willing to pay out.

Yes, my friend said it's hard to keep up with as well, but they have health, house & car insurance too.
My friend is from Colorado, but recently moved to a small town in Tennessee because that's where her son moved to, so she could see her grandkids. No extreme weather like it was in Colorado. We actually met at London in June 1990, as we both won the same worldwide competition to attend Knebworth concert.
We have other friends that we know. They live in California & Baltimore. The Baltimore friends have recently moved to Montana.
We've travelled to America quite a few times too.