My wife and i are trying to have a baby and she recently did a few blood tests at our local medicare centre.
2 weeks later we receive an invoice for "Antimulerian Hormone Investigation" which was $90.00. This medical centre is bulk-billing and we were not informed that there would be a charge for this test and that it was not covered by Medicare.
Is there any way we can dispute this charge? We would never have done the test had we known this.
No, we didn't ask. We just assumed because we've both had many different types of blood tests in the past and never have been invoiced.
If the medicare centre isn't required to notify us of the charge then we're happy to pay the fee and use this as a learning mistake.
They don't have to notify you of a fee.
I assume I'm paying for everything when I go see a Dr. If it's free or I get money back it's a win.
That's on you for assuming, unfortunately. Most tests are done outside, and many aren't covered by Medicare.
I think its worth $90 if you and wife are trying to have baby.
not worth it
What's not worth it? The test or babies?
Is there any way we can dispute this charge? We would never have done the test had we known this.
this is important to know.
https://repromed.com.au/fertility-treatments/amh-blood-test/
So OP got the test $10 cheaper. A true Ozbargainer without realising it!
http://www.dorevitch.com.au/IamaPatient/MyTesting/FertilityA…
Will I receive a bill from this test?
This test is complex to perform and the result is reported on by a specialist pathologist.
It is not yet covered by Medicare and there is an out-of-pocket cost for this test.
But someone should have let you know before hand
Dorevitch are terrible and proactively informing about costs. That's why I no longer use them.
We would never have done the test had we known this.
These are pretty standard tests when investigating subfertility. If you're worried about $90, you sure would hope you wouldn't have to go as far as IVF.
The GP practice must bulk bill. The Pathology service which they send the samples to probably don't do so for all tests. The Pathology service should've informed you of any out of pocket charges before collecting samples.
The Pathology service should've informed you of any out of pocket charges before collecting samples.
They could have and some people may stretch that could into a should…
They don't have to. Onus is on you to ask.
Wants to have a baby.
Seeking treatment to have a baby.
Wouldn't pay for a $90 test.
I don't get it.
The pathology request form completed by your treating Dr indicates whether tests are bulk-billed. My doctor completes a separate form for any tests that are not covered by Medicare so that there is no confusion.
The patient's signature on the request form is the authority for the pathology lab to assess any Medicare benefit payable for the services rendered. The lab also reserves the right to privately bill all tests listed & unlisted in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
You're right - your wife's doctor could have advised her/both of you during the consultation which tests will incur an out-of-pocket cost. I've had the pathology provider indicate this as well when reviewing the paperwork but this is all dependant on the personnel. That's why it's important to read/understand the authority/consent form that you sign.
Are they a Jedi?
The anti-midichlorian test?
I have a bad feeling about this.
OP doesn’t need to pay for this test.
OP can go about his business.
Move along.
Move along.
It's an important test to ascertain the remaining quantity of eggs and number of fertile years your wife may have according to Dr Google.
I'd say that for $90 it's cheap and may save you a lot of money in the long run if the results are not positive.
Antimulerian Hormone Investigation
Is there a reason for someone to think that Medicare should cover this?
We would never have done the test had we known this.
Raising a child from birth to adulthood may cost $130k to $300k. $90 is a tiny amount compared to that.
Why do people consume any service without asking about the costs for the provision of the service, and then get upset/surprised when that get a bill for the service?
It just beggars belief.
Anyone else get ticked off with 'medicare centre'
on topic: as many have mentioned not everything is covered under medicare particularly when it doesn't concern a acute life threatening illness. you will just need to suck it up and pay, and if you plan on going down the IVF route, be prepared for a lot worse
'medical centre
This post reminds me that we never went to get our AMH result. Ours was covered by BUPA.
Let’s just hope you don’t have to go through IVF or IUI.
We spent $10k and got out of it cheaply. My mate and his wife spent close to $70k.
$90. I could cry.
Medicare doesn't cover everything, did you/your wife ask if the tests were covered?