General Medical issues thread

[Flyfrequently]

GP (up in town) who we have been seeing for 25+ years has always bulk billed all patients but now has restrictions with "no new patients" and from what I could gather the other day "mixed billing" is being phased in.

GP we see down here, has tightened their bulk billing criteria, restricted hours for eligible card holders, now between 9am - 12.45pm Monday-Friday and only local full time residents.
(Edit to add : I would happily pay if I became crook in restricted times as I have great respect and confidence in these 2 GPs)

Holiday makers and part time locals ie primary address for Medicare not our peninsula postcodes, pay ~ $120 per consultation.

Our Gkids don't get bulk billed anymore as they are over 16, their parents never have been.

Hence I cannot see how the guvment can say 9 out of 10 visits.
I have worked with good GP's who sadly closed their successful practices earlier than planned when new rules were introduced.

 

[RooFlyer]

I see no legal reason for the results to be withheld.

I'm not sure if its a legal reason or not - but I think traditionally its been so that people don't get results and worry unnecessarily about what they see. YMMV.

I too got pics etc left with me after my last colonoscopy. Not sure why they do that! I assume its so they don't need to post to the GP

Dr Google ain't necessarily good at explaining certain results for a patient who has a couple of things going on. Happy to leave it to my GP who can consider the results in the light of the meds I'm on and prior scans etc.

My GP doesn't bulk bill me (I can't remember if any of mine ever have) and I'm OK with that. They always take the time to cover the issues and I'm happy to pay for that care.

 

[Aeryn]

My report says patient copy and I know it was sent by email to my GP the same day as I was also cc'd on that.

I find google fine for explaining what terms mean, from the search results I chose reputable sites like the Australian Bowel Cancer website and Mayo clinic. I'm not on any regular medication dont have any chronic conditions except some early arthritis in my knees so no complex drug interactions etc. to consider.

The definition of what terms like polyp or sessile mean wont as far I can tell change because you are taking a GLP-1 like my sister is or cholesterol medication like my Dad.

I have always been happy to pay out of pocket to see my quality GP but these recent changes mean I no longer have to so for once a policy change has actually benefitted me. I'll take it. If it changes in future I will still see my GP.