GP Fees - why have they not come down.

kluivert

At home it is still 45e to see the Doctor.

Surely, like with all professions, everyone or alot of people out there are taking pay cuts.

I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who have seen their local GP's reduce their fees.

I know the practice at home is full meaning that they can not accept any more clients but still you think with people having less money to spend, that they would reduce the cost of paying a visit to the doctor.

calex71

It's actually gone up at my local, €55 :mad:

orchidsrpretty

Mine has also gone up from 50E to 60E:( and on a side note they cant wait to push you out the door either.

nayorleck114

My work pays my Family GP visits, But I know people who simply don't go to GP unless they are dying.

kluivert

I think I am actually going to go ahead and write a letter of complaint.

Effectively for a 10 minute visit at 45e a visit thats the equilavent of 270e an hour which is extraordinary in my opinion.

I am going to write to the local TD as well stating the GP Fees need to be informed.

I know the argument is probably they do not get 45e a visit for everyone they see on a medical card and thus have had to raise fees in order to compensate for the large numbers who have been made redundant and now receiving a medical card.

Whoever it should not be the ordinary hard working people who again have to suffer.

ejmaztec

Most GPs have always taken the piss, in more ways than one.

Is it that they think that patients are left with no choice other than to put their medical bills at the front of the queue?

Lets not exclude the dentists from the list of robbers.

spank_inferno

We can complain but they have the whole thing pretty well sown up.

I've also wondered why cant my PRSI contributions pay for a GP visit when they can for a dental/eye checkup.

I'm certain a yearly free checkup paid for by our considerable PRSI levies would go a long way to finding health problems that may become far more expensive if left undetected.

But I think their very powerfull union/lobby organisation may have something to do with it.

darc

kluivert wrote: »

I think I am actually going to go ahead and write a letter of complaint.

Effectively for a 10 minute visit at 45e a visit thats the equilavent of 270e an hour which is extraordinary in my opinion.

Before you complain, remember the other costs

Insurance - huge for GP's
Years of study
Rent of premises
Rates for premises
Staff
ESB / Heat


Granted they are not the poorest of people, but likewise is you need 40mins and its your regukar GP, it will still just cost €50.

Shelflife

Darc, all businesses have these costs and most businesses have served their time as students and apprentices etc.

The simple fact of the matter is that the doctors/dentists/solicitors believe that they are above all mundane things like recessions etc, a friend of mine went to one on a sunday morning and was charged €90 for him to see her child.

The main reason is that people wont complain and say to their doctor that they cant afford €60 for a 10 min visit. The other problem is that in many small towns they have a monopoly and that leads to price apathy.

Complain to the doctor , tell them that their prices are crazy and that if they dont reduce their prices you will go elsewhere.

Guy:Incognito

darc wrote: »

Before you complain, remember the other costs

Insurance - huge for GP's
Years of study
Rent of premises
Rates for premises
Staff
ESB / Heat


Granted they are not the poorest of people, but likewise is you need 40mins and its your regukar GP, it will still just cost €50.

Regardless of all that, they are a business and can charge what they like. They dont really have to justify it.

People are free to go to other doctors.

A mate from work had to go to the doctor in Ibiza last week. Cost him €80 for the visit and another €50 for a cup to pee in and a strip of paper to dip in it to tell him he had an infection (not an STD ) .

eth0_

Because the cost of their malpractice insurance hasn't gone down. Because their business utility bills haven't gone down. Because lab costs haven't gone down. Because the HSE are making GP's do more work for the same amount for medical card holders.

I could go on.

Shelflife

eth0_ wrote: »

Because the cost of their malpractice insurance hasn't gone down. Because their business utility bills haven't gone down. Because lab costs haven't gone down. Because the HSE are making GP's do more work for the same amount for medical card holders.

I could go on.

none of my costs have gone down and yet we have reduced our margins and are working longer hours then ever.

Joe soaps wages are stagnant or have reduced, commuting costs have increased and more work is expected off those with jobs.

why should doctors be any different??

Kimbot

Jesus, I was in hospital last week, told they didn't know why I had a seizure that I had to see a specialist. I got the letter today. €250 just to see him, no tests or nothing, just a quick consultation. Its a joke at this stage!

swingking

GPs have taken a massive hit with the government allowing the over 75s to keep their medical card. Also the govt has increased the amount of medical cards being given out which works out at less money for them.

In addition, insurance costs have gone up.

GPs have taken a huge cut FACT!!

Guy:Incognito

Shelflife wrote: »

why should doctors be any different??

Because it's their business and they can do as they choose. If their business isnt down they have no reason to lower prices, in fact they would be stupid to do so.

eth0_

jonny24ie wrote: »

Jesus, I was in hospital last week, told they didn't know why I had a seizure that I had to see a specialist. I got the letter today. €250 just to see him, no tests or nothing, just a quick consultation. Its a joke at this stage!

I presume you're over 18 and have a job?
If so, you should probably get health insurance. In a country with little to no free healthcare, it's a necessity.

Shelflife

Stekelly wrote: »

Because it's their business and they can do as they choose. If their business isnt down they have no reason to lower prices, in fact they would be stupid to do so.

Thats true stekelly, but they are taking advantage of their position in society and the fact that they are dealing with people who are in a bind.

Guy:Incognito

Shelflife wrote: »

Thats true stekelly, but they are taking advantage of their position in society and the fact that they are dealing with people who are in a bind.

But they arent really. Just like any other business there are other GP's people can go to. If a GP sees a big drop in patients, they will have to lower prices to bring them back.

noodler

Healthcare is not a normal good though.

Kimbot

eth0_ wrote: »

I presume you're over 18 and have a job?
If so, you should probably get health insurance. In a country with little to no free healthcare, it's a necessity.

I am.
I have health insurance aswell but I still have to pay €250 for the consultation. Why on earth should I have to pay it when I pay for my insurance.

babaloushka

jonny24ie wrote: »

I am.
I have health insurance aswell but I still have to pay €250 for the consultation. Why on earth should I have to pay it when I pay for my insurance.

Your policy must cover you for in-hospital treatment only - there are other types that will cover outpatient services. However, I'm sure that most policies cover some element of outpatient fees that exceed a certain sum? Check yours and see - you may be able to get something back, especially if you have more to pay further down the road.
You can also opt to go to the consultant as a public patient - this is covered for everyone, but the downside is the long wait

Xcellor

I agree its expensive to see the doctor and I really wouldn't go unless I'm dying. However most employers require that you have a doctors note if you miss time. People are always going to get sick, its a good trade to be in. That and an undertaker. Not too many of them going out of business either.

Another thing is its mostly cash in hand. Wonder how much of that goes through the books...

eth0_

jonny24ie wrote: »

I am.
I have health insurance aswell but I still have to pay €250 for the consultation. Why on earth should I have to pay it when I pay for my insurance.

You should get a refund when you submit the receipt to your insurer..