Medicare Qtn?

Question

Hello,

I've recently migrated to australia and just got my medicare paperwork settled. I just have a qtn regarding seeing a specialist at the royal melboure hospital. Is it true that we are not allowed to chose a doctor of our choice unless we have private insurance?

If there was a need for me in the future to see a specialist at the royal melbourne hospital. How would i go about doing it? Is there a waiting period i have to factor in given that's its public healthcare.

Appreciate your inputs on this!

Answer 1

You don't actually have to have private health cover, you can choose to pay privately out of your own pocket. In the public system you may not get to choose your specialist, and for non urgent procedures there can be delays. It will still be excellent care however.  Talk it over with your regular doctor - they can advise you better, and refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Answer 2

Just because you can't choose the doctor of your choice, it doesn't mean you are not getting the best. I have the best specialist here in the public system who is teaching other want to be doctors coming through the system. If they are not operating on you, you can guarantee they are watching over the others who are being trained and guiding them.

Answer 3

You are correct on all accounts. If you want really good health care over here without waiting to see specialist and you want to be able to choose your own doctors you need to sign up for private health care.

Your medicare is still good for saving you money when you go to the normal GP but for specialists, hospitals, dentistry, etc get some private car.

I know this isn't the answer you were probably hoping for but that is how it is.

Answer 4

Some specialist only take a few number of public patients others work primarily in public health and others don't take any at all.

If you want to be able to chose  your specialist or be on a short waiting list for any procedures then I would suggest you take out private insurance.

Answer 5

if you see a general practitioner ( a normal doctor) you can choose who you go to but not all will bulk bill medicare so you may have to pay and get some of the money back from medicare later, if you need to be referred to a specialist you can request a specific doctor but it may not be possible to get that one

Answer 6

As far as I know medicare covers public hospitals and yes you are correct you do not choose a dr.

If you need to see a specialist at the hospital go and see a GP for a referral.

Answer 7

Medicare does not cover private hospitals. I recommend you read Medicare's info on cover. It's very informative and i think it answers your questions and more: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/publ...

Answer 8

if you need to see a specialist your family doctor will refer you to one.

if its an emergency and your taken to hospital you will get what specialist is on call that day

regardless you will get good care