How to Get a GP Doctor to Bulk Bill You?

LStephanie360 on 02/05/2018 - 07:15
Last edited 02/05/2018 - 11:42 by 1 other user

Doctors in Australia are so expensive when it should be free. In Europe healthcare is free - we just walk into a specialist doctors clinic and will be seen or get an appointment, no need for referral from a GP. No need to pay.

Here doctors get money from government and still ask you to pay. I have to pay $70 to just see a GP. How do you get your GP doctor to bulk bill you? I have tried the following which have worked:

  • tell them how long you waited and it would not be fair to charge
  • say “just a quick one” and tell them what you need like a script or certificate.
  • usually they won’t charge just for a script, so say you just want a script then talk about what you need to see them for

However without trying the above and I just ask them if they will bulk bill me up they will say no. It is stupid here. So ridiculous.

Healthcare should be free. Share your strategies on how to be bulk billed. I am still trying to get specialists to bulk bulk. We need to help each other.

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Comments

  • DiscoJango on 03/05/2018 - 21:44

    in soviet africa the doctor comes and asks you for medical advice. citizens are advised to carry stethoscope.

    he then walks backwards to his clinic

    • mini2 on 09/04/2019 - 16:56

      Sounded like that doctor in the Family Guy.

  • Filippo on 03/05/2018 - 21:52
    -5

    Couldn’t agree more Stephanie

  • CalmLemons on 03/05/2018 - 22:20
    +8

    This thread is hilarious.

    Australia is the last remaining country in the world with a relatively 'free' healthcare system.

    The healthcare system always takes 'time'. Doctors don't sit in their office all day staring at the wall making people wait. Some things can't be rushed. You can never 'guess' how long the next patient might take.

    Europe has gone to sh*ts, is almost bankrupt, sues every single multinational over ridiculous business methods and TBH providing completely 'free' walk in healthcare has most likely contributed to that.

    People are just walking problems and the more you make something 'free', the more abused it will get. No one appreciates something when it is free. When you start charging a little bit more for it, then they appreciate it more.

    Let's face it, at best 80% of people are ignorant, in denial and don't want to understand the complete picture as they are completely self centered and most likely incapable of handling the great picture. Doctors are not your servants. The steep hill that is takes to become one and then deal with everyones problems more than justifies the price paid for the service. There are plentiful bulk billed doctors around, use Google search.

    GPs are literally the lowest paid out of the MD profession and the literally deal with everyones initial BS problems. The fact that it costs you $35-70 for that 10 minutes doesn't mean the service is not worth it (with $35 approx being subsidised by medicare). Just because the time is short does not mean the job is not good. If a logo designer takes only 10 minutes to create a logo, does that mean they are not as good as someone who takes 10 months? (not completely on topic here - but the point is, you're paying for the 20 odd years of acquired knowledge to diagnose or point you in the right direction hopefully).

    In the business world we have a train of thought, if something can't be problem solved in 15 minutes or fixed, then you're f*rked anyway lol.

    • tik tok on 04/05/2018 - 21:40
      +1

      GPs are literally the lowest paid out of the MD profession and the literally deal with everyones initial BS problems.

      No, they are not ! Hilarious.

    • ninetyNineCents on 05/05/2018 - 23:18
      -6

      G: GPs are literally the lowest paid out of the MD profession

      99: So what if they are the lowest paid of the MD professions, that doesnt change the fact they are well paid.

      G: nd the literally deal with everyones initial BS problems.

      99: And they are paid for it, and they can ask the person to leave when time is up.

    • eldudebrothers on 06/05/2018 - 15:22

      thank you for understanding, many people have absolutely no idea what we as GP's go through to become a GP and how difficult the career is.

      • ninetyNineCents on 06/05/2018 - 16:07
        -1

        E: And no people have any idea how hard it is to be a kid working in a nike factory…

  • CalmLemons on 03/05/2018 - 22:23
    +3

    I just noticed too. OP is New user. Trolling? Political bait? Fake news?

    • Hahuh on 06/05/2018 - 01:50
      -1

      Russians!

  • Tally-Anne OConnor on 03/05/2018 - 22:30

    So…if this thread is representative of a sample of the wider population, would it be safe to say that most people would not mind a co-payment, so long as there is value in the consultation? If so, I would presume the impetus to bulk bill is a false construct based on market forces. For the wiser ones out there, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

    • CalmLemons on 05/05/2018 - 23:16

      Most people earning a decent income would probably not mind. To make a decent income you would most likely be well educated with a good balanced understanding of life and hopefully be relatively healthy. Being relatively healthy, you probably wouldn't need to be seeing the GP every week.

      I see a GP once every 2 years, $70? $90? Big whoop. How much does internet cost a month? lol

      If there is value, people generally don't mind the consult. I wait very little for my gap payment GP. I could be waiting over an hour for my bulk billed GP when I used to be a student and even $10 was a big deal to me. Then again as a student I had a lot of time. Now time is money.

      • Name on 08/05/2018 - 14:06

        yeah co-payment should be based on income. Centrelink concession card = free medical care. But I'm also of the view that fines should be scaled based on pay too.

        In saying that. I think everyone should pay more tax and the government should provide a more comprehensive free medical system.

        I know a few people who are struggling in Australia because the NDIS isn't covering everything for them. One friend is terminal and spends a good part of his time fighting to get basic things e.g. a wheel chair (as his disease progresses his requirements change, he now needs an automatic wheelchair as he is too weak to push himself around) or get access to medications or traveling to hospitals.

  • scratchback on 03/05/2018 - 23:18

    Excuse me, how much can u earn in most European countries? U can only earn 2/3 of the money u get here in uk or Germany and half in Italy or spain.
    Stop whinging as everything is cheap for reason.

  • icejester on 03/05/2018 - 23:57
    +1

    Spending $33 on your health could be the difference between seeing a good doctor for 20minutes or a bad one for 5mins
    Could be the difference between life and death.

    So instead of buying the next new phone for $900. You can bank 30 consults with a doctor and get more information on how to live well and be healthy.
    If you don't want a doctor's advice then don't see a doctor
    If you want good advice then $33 is not a lot to spend on your own health

  • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2018 - 04:07
    -5

    you may find this interesting

    From the ATO - top earning professions 2015 for MEN and Number of Individuals

    Neurosurgeon $577,674 - 144 men and 25 women
    Ophthalmologist $552,947 - 441 men and 150 women
    Cardiologist $453,253 - 690 men and 151 women
    Plastic and reconstructive surgeon $448,530 - 242 men and 73 women
    Gynaecologist; obstetrician $446,507 - 641 men and 609 women
    Otorhinolaryngologist $445,939 - 92 men and 22 women
    Orthopedic surgeon $439,629 - 829 men and 66 women
    Urologist $433,792 - 244 men and 37 women
    Vascular surgeon $417,524 - 92 men and 15 women
    Gastroenterologist $415,192 - 314 men and 84 women
    Diagnostic and interventional radiologist $386,003 - 1187 men and 731 women
    Dermatologist $383,880 - 173 men and 196 women
    Judge — law $381,323 - 537 men and 210 women
    Anaesthetist $370,492 - 2167 men and 1011 women
    Cardiothoracic surgeon $358,043 - 126 men and 9 women
    Surgeon — general $357,996 - 1315 men and 343 women
    Specialist physicians — other $344,860 - 1010 men and 546 women
    Radiation oncologist $336,994 - 240 men and 259 women
    Medical oncologist $322,178 - 219 men and 164 women
    Securities and finance dealer $320,452 - 4617 men and women

    Chief Executives and Managing Directors $158,249 - 166,741 men and women

    • pformag on 04/05/2018 - 09:38
      +3

      I can't see GP on that list.

      • Jikx on 04/05/2018 - 12:44

        Exactly lol

      • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2018 - 17:53

        the point is that in the top 20 best paid professions is that GP are not on it.
        But according to the ATO some of the coocupations for example neurosurgeons and caradiothoracic surgeons have very litte individuals working in them

        General medical practitioner at $184,639 is the 48th best paid profession

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2018 - 14:30
          -1

          Trust me, some of these professions with little individuals in then would beg to differ.

          It's a daily measuring contest with these guys.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2018 - 17:10

          @tshow:

          You are missing the point again - the original post talked about getting specialists to bulk-bill, which is difficult particularly when there are very low number of specialists in certain key specialities - this Data is from the ATO for tax returns 2014 to 2015 - there are only 169 fully qualified working neurosurgeons in Australia -` 124 ENT surgeons, 135 heart surgeons, I have socialised with patients in these specialities and give them their due respect..

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2018 - 18:01

          @Austechguy:
          I was just playing with the word "little". I know it was meant to read few.

        • ninetyNineCents on 05/05/2018 - 23:19
          +1

          @tshow:

          So your going to cry poor when the average doctor is earning over 150k ?

        • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2018 - 00:01

          @ninetyNineCents:
          I never cried poor. Please show me where I did.

        • ninetyNineCents on 06/05/2018 - 16:08
          +1

          @tshow:

          So if you arent poor then why complain about BB not being enuff ?

        • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2018 - 10:55

          @ninetyNineCents:
          Seems you silently acknowledged that I didn't "cry poor".

          Let's move that goal post for you.

          Where did I complain about BB not being enough?

          Besides what do you mean BB not being enough - Not enough as a primary source of income, not enough as a contribution, not enough as a sole source of income?

          Care to substantiate this one?

        • ninetyNineCents on 07/05/2018 - 17:53
          -3

          @tshow:

          TS: Seems you silently acknowledged that I didn't "cry poor".

          99: Well what exactly has been the motivation beyound your posts ? What point are you trying to make ?

          ~

          TS: Let's move that goal post for you.

          99: Another fallacy… you just love to introduce fake claims.

          ~

          TS: Where did I complain about BB not being enough?

          99: Multiple times you have made exaggerated statements about costs and expenses for a typical doctor…

          SO what exactly are you complaining about when you constantly jump into conversations ?

          Im simply pointing out that doctors like yourself are hypocrites when they claim to love paitents and yet they want more medicare and they want the gov to take MORE money from the paitents they love.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2018 - 19:05

          @ninetyNineCents:
          So no quotes?

          Okay. ;) Sure, buddy.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2018 - 15:42
      -1

      Third time being quoted. Never once the quoter acknowledges that it does NOT include GPs in that list.

      Data hur dur…

      • ninetyNineCents on 07/05/2018 - 17:56
        -3

        TS:
        Third time being quoted. Never once the quoter acknowledges that it does NOT include GPs in that list.

        99: Yes we all can read and see that GPs arent on THAT list - but so what. THe list ends just above where GPs would appear if it continued.

        Why didnt you mention that ?

        Its amazing how many word games you constantly play to try and paint a significantly different picgture from reality.

        GP Doctors do quite well, who cares if other doctors do better, thats hardly a surprise. Just because GPs arent on that list doesnt mean they arent paid well, and yet you cant seem to accept or share that with others. Not once have you said GPs are paid well.

        • [Deactivated] on 07/05/2018 - 19:06

          It ends somewhere and if the list continued arbitrarily, all jobs would be in that list eventually.

  • Shadowsfury on 04/05/2018 - 07:14
    +4

    I'm of the view there should at least me SOME co-payment - free things get abused.

    I think the process we have now is fine - bulk billed for those who really need it.

  • esty on 04/05/2018 - 09:47

    lol is this chick being serious?

  • R4 on 04/05/2018 - 10:29

    Ah, the magic money tree of taxpayer funded medicine

    Every country needs one of those

    I think Australia's health system is fantastic

    • mini2 on 09/04/2019 - 16:55

      Well it's not flawless but at least you don't have to worry for most things.

  • vicsta on 04/05/2018 - 11:38
    +1

    You get what you pay for

  • shhh666 on 04/05/2018 - 11:55
    +6

    Stephanie,when you work, did you work free for a day a week or did free job for someone who can pay you?
    Does a doctor get free groceries or their kids get free toys?

  • djones145 on 04/05/2018 - 13:29
    +2

    I recommend trolling to a trolling doc that troll u bulk billing troll so troll don't have to troll pay money troll

  • diddy50 on 04/05/2018 - 13:33
    +3

    Australia's GP Bulk Billing rates are up at around 86%, that is the highest it has been in a number of years.

    So you can find a different doctor if you don't like paying extra for the service you receive

    • R4 on 04/05/2018 - 15:30
      +1

      Agree. BB doctors are springing up all over the place around these parts.

      I guess there is an excess of doctors - supply/demand in play

  • CarnivalMonkey on 04/05/2018 - 17:17
    +2

    "How to Get a GP Doctor to Bulk Bill You?"

    not "How to find a doctor who bulk bills and make an appointment with them"

    you don't stare at the orange juice do you?

  • snook on 05/05/2018 - 00:56
    +1

    If you don't want to pay, go bulk billed and be with those that actually don't care about you at all. Then you really will have something to complain about.

    Stephanie360 sounds like a troll anyway. Like she's doing an assignment. She only signed up 2 days before posting that garbage.

  • Windows7forever on 05/05/2018 - 04:03

    It's pretty difficult trying to find a doctor that bulk bills in many regional areas. Living in a small regional town of < 10,000 this was always a problem and I was often "out of pocket" as the doctor's office would invariably send me the bill. There was nothing I could do about it as they said "sorry, we don't bulk bill". This was a common theme shared with the few other doctors' surgeries and medical center in town.

    • mauricem on 05/05/2018 - 10:19
      -2

      And this is the major problem with the system, live in an affluent suburb in a major city with plenty of employment opportunities and bulk billing doctors are on every corner.
      However live in a regional town which usually have higher unemployment, lower wages and generally lower socio economic stats and arguably more in need of medical intervention, unless your on a pension you'll pay full price every time.

      Price fixing, lack of competition, opportunism I think they all come into play.

      As for GPs playing the poverty card, just have a look at GP locum vacancies, when $6000 per week is an average rate on offer for walk in walk out roles its hard to argue the ROI for all the training and study is not worth it

      • kingmw on 05/05/2018 - 11:04

        Without the financial incentive/difference, there is less reasons why doctors will move to rural locations to practice when they can earn just the same (if not more as there are more patients) in the city and are able to afford to live there.

      • DavidFong on 07/05/2018 - 22:11

        Locum (temporary) rates can be high indeed in areas of workforce shortage.

        Doctors are not at all alone in being paid higher rates as 'temporary' workers compared to permanent.

        The situation for nurses in public hospitals was where permanent 'regular' nurses were resigning to become 'agency' nurses because the temporary rates were much better. This had a snowball effect! Eventually restrictions had to be placed on how many nurses on a shift were temporary workers, otherwise it seemed every nurse wanted to work s a temporary worker! (with deleterious effects on hospital budgets and staff morale, as well as likely patient disadvantage).

  • Prizm on 05/05/2018 - 09:37
    +5

    @Stephanie360
    Yes, let's lie and manipulate our doctor and probably many others in society for just doing their jobs. You really set the bar low when it comes to blowing your integrity. You're a respectable role model that your kids will be proud of.

  • frugal investigator on 05/05/2018 - 13:38

    The thing that frustrates me is all income earners pay for Medicare already (2% of your income) plus additional levys with no private health insurance.
    Bulk billing is not free as we already pay for it to fund it.

    Doctors being a rarity can demand higher pays.. that's the problem - simple supply and demand

    • dmcneice on 05/05/2018 - 14:18
      +1

      And all income earners get a rebate (through their Medicare card). Just because you fund it doesn't mean you fund it adequately.

    • dmacw on 05/05/2018 - 15:12
      +2

      Despite its name, the Medicare Levy and Surcharge are in no way ring fenced for healthcare spend. All income it generates ido lumped in with general taxation.

      Given that the commonwealth govt spend 32% of its income ($115b out of $352b collected) on Medicare and state public hospitals, the Levy and Surcharge are a drop in the ocean in terms of funding Healthcare. But it's not trying fenced, it's just a way of making income tax look lower than reality.

    • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2018 - 18:02

      What's the rate of supply and demand now?

  • polkatta on 05/05/2018 - 21:43
    +3

    Marry a doctor…. Although asking him/her to cure your headache might feel counterintuitive…

  • goraygo on 06/05/2018 - 07:24
    +2

    I live in Sydney and most of the doctor or medical centre Bulk Bill here. I rarely stumble one that doesn’t.

    Just go shop around. No bulk bill, just don’t go.

  • DBBROS on 06/05/2018 - 19:02
    +2

    I live in rural NSW in a town with a population of less than 5000 people. There is only one medical practice here and they only bulk bill.

  • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2018 - 21:31

    You can claim it back if they don't bulk bill, can't you…?

    • mini2 on 09/04/2019 - 16:55

      Yeah bit of a gap though if the GP decided he wants $50 but Medicare only pays out what, $32.50?

  • techboy on 07/05/2018 - 10:21

    Been Living in Australia for nearly 40 years now.
    Never, ever have I 'paid' to go to the doctors in all that time.
    Must have some how got lucky and always visit bulk billers..

  • kaio on 07/05/2018 - 13:29

    Mine simply does.

  • polstralian on 07/05/2018 - 20:22

    European Union is made up of 28 countries. Europe of 51.

    Each country has their own health care system.

    I would love to know which countries in Europe are described in @Stephanie360's node.

    • Stephanie360 on 15/05/2018 - 11:42
      -3

      I made a list earlier but someone deleted it because it got viral yes down. Some examples are Italy, Germany, Iceland, UK.
      In other countries , the health insurance companies will pay for the consultations.
      Australia is a rip off for everything

      • blergmonkeys on 17/05/2018 - 08:09

        Well that would totally explain why it has one of the best healthcare systems in the world (across nearly every demographic, excluding ATSI but that’s another debate altogether).
        eye roll

        You have a serious case of entitleditis.

      • polstralian on 18/05/2018 - 11:49

        Your statements are off this planet Steph.

        Australia is expensive, true. Whether the health system as many say here is 'the best', well it's questionable but each to their own experience. It's good, the equpiment is modern, doctors/nurses are usually very polite and friendly. Sometimes they appear to lack knowledge in comparison to their European colleagues of the same age but this is due to the level of education they receive here and the overall education system. It's a seperate topic all together though.

        I'm European and I lived in a few countries in Europe before moving to Australia 8 years ago, it's not as pretty as you say it is. And most importantly, I don't know of a country where you can just walk in and see a specialsit without a refreral from your GP. Not to mention the lengthy waiting times for those specialist cilinics that in some countries exceed 5 years!

        This is the reality my dear.

        I don't want to come across like I am judging you although it seems like you are a very young lady and you weren't taken for a ride through those 'health care' systems yet, both in Europe and Australia. Well, and that's rather good, isn't it?

        Next time make sure you find a bulk billing clinic. You won't pay a cent.

        PS: I had my ACL reconstructed in Australia, went through physio etc and nobody ever charged me a cent.

        Keep on smiling.

  • fitstore on 09/05/2018 - 10:37

    lol, so many different topics discussed on this thread.

  • Ryballs on 17/05/2018 - 22:51
    +1

    Only 30 minutes wait? You should try the specialist clinic my wife works at. Sometimes their patients can wait up to 4 hours after the appointment time.

  • Anonymous18 on 19/05/2018 - 12:38

    OP what do you do for work?

  • Aaron1011 on 06/06/2018 - 21:45

    I find it interesting that so many Doctors have jumped on this thread… I can categorically state that most Doctors do drive late model European cars & most do very, very well for themselves. I used to work in this industry and have seen the facts and figures.

    While some might argue that there are significant overheads to be paid, the fact is, that many if not most GPs, work in a larger practice, where reception staff, rent, utility bills etc are split amongst a number of Doctors.

    However, given the training they need to go through, I don't really begrudge Doctors from earning a higher than average salary. What I find abysmal is if you visit a Doctor and they don't provide the service they are getting paid to perform. I have seen this happen numerous times with both specialists and GPs. For instance a 5-10 minute consult without a proper examination - sure it might not cost me anything, but the taxpayer is slugged and then I might have to see someone else who will also bill Medicare. Not only that, but most patients would not query the item number they were billed, even if it was incorrect. Similarly, more money can be made by unnecessarily recalling patients or checking on the whole family, when only one member of a family really came to see the Doctor.

    I do think our health system needs reform, as currently there are insufficient checks and balances in place to prevent the abuse of Medicare, be that by patient or practitioner. Medicare bulk-billing is essentially like a blank cheque. As time goes on, the Medicare levy will keep increasing and so by default everyone pays more and more for the healthcare of others… even if it is not good care that is received. In its current form Medicare is not ideal. It creates a disincentive for Doctors to bill less. There is also no real competition since the AMA - a powerful lobby group, sets the rates that specialists in particular, adhere to pretty closely.

    In my part of Australia, every single little shopping centre has a practice, most of whom bulk-bill. I find it very hard to believe that there are enough patients to justify this. Furthermore most Doctors pay little tax - certainly no more than your average Joe - by using family trusts and other such structures.

    Also I have a mate who is a specialist over in a wealthy European country. From what he has told me, conservatively speaking specialists here earn 2-3 times what they earn over there.

    Sure you can neg me, but the truth is the truth.

    • Speckled Jim on 07/06/2018 - 19:29

      Good points. It may be a bit outdated now, but the Sicko documentary by Michael Moore was an eye-opener. It contrasted the US vs EU, UK and other systems. We'll follow the US.

      The Full Retard switch was tripped politically in the US and elsewhere, so it's seen as acceptable now.
      New normal?

  • KelseeOZ on 13/06/2018 - 20:37

    Most GPs bulk bill in the cities. In fact, 80% of all consultations are bulk billed as per the stats. I’m the cities, the power is pretty much in the patient. I’ve heard so many stories of how a patient can demand to get what they want and the doc would just give it and out the door they are in 5 min, fully bulk billed.

    • Speckled Jim on 13/06/2018 - 21:26

      the power is pretty much in the patient.

      Think I've been to that Doctor. She was gentle.

  • SlickMick on 05/04/2019 - 15:55

    Man, there's already 6 pages of comments. I'm not reading all that. In case it hasn't been said, the way to get bulked billed is to find a clinic that bulk bills.
    Just be careful that it isn't "conditional bulk billing" eg only some doctors (in which case just ask for one of those doctors), or only for those on pension etc.

    Yes, it might be getting hard to find them, but I found one in a town with a shortage of doctors. (They stop taking appointments for skin cancer checks when the wait list gets past 3 months.) When my wife tried, they said there were no longer taking new patients so she found another. So I think they're around but you might have a drive a bit to get to them if they're all greedy or too busy in your area. (we have to travel for ours.)

    I think there are some drs on ozb, because this discussion has been heated in the past. Apparently some drs like to spend 1/2hr with patient and reckon medicare doesn't pay enough. But the drs I visit would see 6 people in that time, so are still earning more.

    I let them charge for every visit: to get a test done, again to get test results. Personally I think governments handing out cash is a bad idea and if I ever get to run a country it won't happen. If you can't afford to pay your dr, you can come wait in the line to see the public dr in the public hospital. This is how it was when I was a kid (before medicare) and it worked fine. Rich people got fancy waiting rooms that they didn't have to wait long in, we lined up with the rest that didn't want to, or couldn't, pay.

    Lets see how much drs can charge without government handout if there is an alternative!

    I remember when medicare first came in. SOMe companies made a mockery of it, setting up mega clinics with crystal chandeliers, they were just raking money out of the government. Whenever they open the purse, there will be people putting there hand in.
    There won't be a cent of my government's money spend on gambling, alcohol or cigarettes. Those things are only for people with jobs.
    /rant

  • mini2 on 09/04/2019 - 16:54

    I didn't think doctors are under any obligation to bulk bill you?

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