Interesting article on reciprocal medical cover after the backpackers overdose

[get me outta here]

There are a number of countries that have reciprocal medical cover with Australia. Most of these backpackers will have no cover and their travel insurance won’t be paying for drug ODs.

Drug overdose backpackers to be hit with big hospital bills

 

[Pushka]

There are a number of countries that have reciprocal medical cover with Australia. Most of these backpackers will have no cover and their travel insurance won’t be paying for drug ODs.

Drug overdose backpackers to be hit with big hospital bills

Which means there will soon be a ‘go fund me’ appeal. Whatever, I’m guessing they won’t pay.

 

[mannej]

Which means there will soon be a ‘go fund me’ appeal. Whatever, I’m guessing they won’t pay.

There is already one floating around - setup by some lady in Sydney. Saw someone comment on the FB post earlier today

 

[Pushka]

There is already one floating around - setup by some lady in Sydney. Saw someone comment on the FB post earlier today

Groan.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Although I don't think there's much the hospital can do by way of debt collection if the patient returns overseas?

 

[Pushka]

Although I don't think there's much the hospital can do by way of debt collection if the patient returns overseas?

Which is what will happen on release I reckon. Sadly we wouldn’t get the same treatment without payment overseas. It’s a case of ‘show me the money’ first.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which is what will happen on release I reckon. Sadly we wouldn’t get the same treatment without payment overseas. It’s a case of ‘show me the money’ first.

I'd reckon most of the developed world will treat life-threatening emergency cases first, ask for money later? The USA even has laws to that effect (as opposed to treatment for non-life threatening situations where private hospitals can deny care until ability to pay has been established), and I'd expect most of Europe to be the same.

 

[Denali]

"There's an expectation by the insurer the traveller will do his or her best to not get into trouble … therefore insurers have very strong exclusions around the use or overuse of alcohol...

^
What about all those kids on Contiki tours?

I vaguely recall an October fest in my youth...

 

[Pushka]

I'd reckon most of the developed world will treat life-threatening emergency cases first, ask for money later? The USA even has laws to that effect (as opposed to treatment for non-life threatening situations where private hospitals can deny care until ability to pay has been established), and I'd expect most of Europe to be the same.

You would hope. Asia is another story.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You would hope. Asia is another story.

I agree. I wouldn't necessarily want to be stuck in a public hospital in the USA without cover. Can't really compare to our major public hospitals here in Australia.

 

[Duffa]

Which is what will happen on release I reckon. Sadly we wouldn’t get the same treatment without payment overseas. It’s a case of ‘show me the money’ first.

I don't think that is generally the case, Pushka. The UK NHS has been losing millions to overseas visitors for years. They even have a medical tourism problem where sick foreigners come to UK and front up at public hospitals... And being a public system most Pommie doctors never think about money in that context.

 

[Pushka]

I don't think that is generally the case, Pushka. The UK NHS has been losing millions to overseas visitors for years. They even have a medical tourism problem where sick foreigners come to UK and front up at public hospitals... And being a public system most Pommie doctors never think about money in that context.

UK has a reciprocal agreement with Aus? I guess I’m mainly thinking of Asian hospitals where the first presenting symptom is ‘credit card’

 

[MEL_Traveller]

UK has a reciprocal agreement with Aus? I guess I’m mainly thinking of Asian hospitals where the first presenting symptom is ‘credit card’

There are several countries who do based on reciprocal arrangements around medicare. There's a difference between a life threatening emergency where you can't even ask the patient if they have insurance (such as these backpackers). Even in many Asian countries I'd be expecting treatment first, ask for payment later.

Conversely if you are well enough to enter a discussion about cost and payment it's probably not life threatening.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Which is what will happen on release I reckon. Sadly we wouldn’t get the same treatment without payment overseas. It’s a case of ‘show me the money’ first.

Do we really want to be American ?

Of course they will leave and it will be up to the hospital to chase the debt. What else can you do - confiscate the dope and a backpack ?

 

[Pushka]

Do we really want to be American ?

Of course they will leave and it will be up to the hospital to chase the debt. What else can you do - confiscate the dope and a backpack ?

As a tax payer I’d expect the hospital to chase the debt. It isn’t like we get away with it overseas and not just America. It’s self inflicted and no sympathy here.

 

[mannej]

To be fair to the backpackers in this situation, they have been on record to say that they have stuffed up and are willing to pay their debts.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As a tax payer I’d expect the hospital to chase the debt. It isn’t like we get away with it overseas and not just America. It’s self inflicted and no sympathy here.

Perhaps there's another solution that entrants on certain longer visas have to pay a fee covering medicare for the year? Similar to what they have in the UK. I appreciate a fee may deter some bakcpackers so research would be needed on the economic benefits (or otherwise) of such an approach. But I guess if the disbenefits outweigh the benefits then hospital costs are just something tax payers will have to absorb for the greater good.

 

[get me outta here]

Aka parents? Otherwise that’s a lot of dishwashing.

To be fair to the backpackers in this situation, they have been on record to say that they have stuffed up and are willing to pay their debts.

 

[PaulST]

Aka parents? Otherwise that’s a lot of dishwashing.

I suspect that the debt could be purchased by the country of origin? I recall not paying a parking fine in a certain middle eastern country (we tried for hours but they were such unpleasant people to deal with...) and 6 months later, debt collectors contacted me. All for around $150.

Hopefully the kids have had enough principles drilled into them by their parents, but considering the fact that they snorted an unknown white powder (apparently), they're clearly not the sharpest knives in the drawer.
Alas, the money spent on them would pale into insignificance when compared with the amount we waste on Aussies who don't care about their own health...etc.

 

[trooper]

Alas, the money spent on them would pale into insignificance when compared with the amount we waste on Aussies who don't care about their own health...etc.

No doubt true...but those folks are at least Australian.... and will have contributed to the tax regime....