I'm disgusted!!..$400 fee for initial consult to see paed?

[Mrs Little]

Hi all,

I have seen numerous Paeds. over the past 3.5 yrs since DS1 was born. But i have NEVER ... NEVER...come across a paed that has charged $400 for a 50 min initial consult! I was disgusted!

DS1 is having some speech development issues, and our GP suggested he see a Paed who will run tests to determine if there is an underlying issue causing the problem (he's already had hearing tests that came back saying no hearing problems). So i was refered to a Paed here in WA (Attadale), and just received a letter telling me when DS1's appointment time was and the cost. Any further appointments would be 30 mins long and would cost $200 each time.

Does this man think he is God? Anyone else come across a paed who charges the earth? Should i go back to the GP and ask him to send me somewhere else?

Mrs Little & Sons.

[delirium]

:eek: That is outrageous :no: I paid $220 18 months ago and it was an out of hours emergency appointment. He spent an hour with us.

That guy sounds really greedy. Do you HAVE to see him. It would be principle for me, I just couldn't use them unless it was dire.

[Tam-I-Am]

I think, given you'll get a good whack of that back from Medicare - it's entirely dependent on how good he is as to whether you keep seeing him or not.

We saw a paediatric gastroenterologist who charged about the same. He was worth his weight in gold, and I happily paid his bill. It's also worth remembering any money you pay toward medical expenses goes toward your Medicare Threshold, after which you get 80% of all out-of-pocket expenses back, which makes healthcare much more affordable.

Personally, I'd go and see what he has to offer. If he's good then it'll be well worth it.

[Knocked_for_six]

I hate to say this for fear of being shot, :o but my DH is a medical specialist and from memory his fees are quite close to those. You should get a fair amount of that from Medicare particularly if you have reached the Medicare Threshold :thumbsup:

[forbetoel]

I think that is too expensive. Sure you might get some back but there would be a lot of people who couldn't afford the initial outlay to begin with.

My paed initial appointment was $110 - very reasonable, and about what I think is fair.
He is a great doctor who has a waiting list of months. I could not fault him. A good specialist doesn't always (and should not) cost the earth.

[reAllytee]

Yeah that is pricey but as Tam said you will find Medicare gives you a lot back ...

Often there are 'standard' Paeds & then those like it seems this one is that is more knowledgable etc who are a step up for want of better words ... Like Developmental Paeds are the ones who are the ones who do the correct diagnosis of ASD etc.

Our GI charges this much for his initial too because he goes through EVERYTHING to do with the child from birth but also then ALL family history ... It is also advised because he gives you so much info that you have someone with you so that you arent overwhelmed ... Its all worth the money.

I know our Paed is around the $200 for his consultations ( we dont pay as G is under a HCC ) but that is mostly claimed back via Medicare !

Its hard for me to say iykwim but often it is well worth the money to see someone who is far greater in their knowledge & training .... Even if it hurts the budget !

[MsMummy]

I hate to say this for fear of being shot, :o but my DH is a Paediatric Surgeon and from memory his fees are quite close to those. You should get a fair amount of that from Medicare particularly if you have reached the Medicare Threshold :thumbsup:

If it's too expensive, can you find another one?

I understand why people get upset at high fees, but can see it from both sides. Partners in larger law firms can charge up to (and probably more) than $550 an hour, and they are less educated (years wise) than doctors so I can see why doctors want to charge similiar rates.

It would be great if we had a better public health system though.

[Knocked_for_six]

Yeah that is pricey but as Tam said you will find Medicare gives you a lot back ...

Often there are 'standard' Paeds & then those like it seems this one is that is more knowledgable etc who are a step up for want of better words ... Like Developmental Paeds are the ones who are the ones who do the correct diagnosis of ASD etc.

Our GI charges this much for his initial too because he goes through EVERYTHING to do with the child from birth but also then ALL family history ... It is also advised because he gives you so much info that you have someone with you so that you arent overwhelmed ... Its all worth the money.

I know our Paed is around the $200 for his consultations ( we dont pay as G is under a HCC ) but that is mostly claimed back via Medicare !

Its hard for me to say iykwim but often it is well worth the money to see someone who is far greater in their knowledge & training .... Even if it hurts the budget !

:iagree: Very spot on.

Fees will vary with Paediatrician just as with most ‘services’. You will find that Paediatricians who specialise within the Paediatric field will charge slightly higher as they are extremely knowledgeable and experienced within that particular area as that is for the most part all they do.

I would highly recommend going for at least one visit (then straight to Medicare afterward ;)) just to hear what he has to say, you may be pleasantly surprised at how helpful and knowledgeable he is. :thumbsup:

Good Luck :hugs:

[mim1]

From what I understand the amount that medicare covers for appointments with specialists recently changed. If it's a complex appointment I think medicare pays around $200 (or maybe a bit more), but it used to be about $100. So, if you're going for a complex issue (which it sounds you are) then you should get about half of that back.

It is a lot of money, but you get to choose who you see, you get to see someone very knowledgeable on the particular issue with your child and it all happens in a reasonable time (could be waiting 4 - 6 months in the hospital system). For me that outweighs the cost.

[delirium]

:confused: I thought the amount you get back from medicare is a set percentage? I got $120 back from $220 outlay. If a visit cost $400, I don't understand how you get $200-300 back? (that's before going over the threshold). Surely if that's the case I should have got all my money back??

[kiwibird27]

He had better b good!!! I would ask to be referred to see a paed who runs clinic in your local hospital.. they are usually free.. Megan is always bulk billed... I demand it straight up.... but we see lots of doctors... A specialised experienced paed will charge alot more than your average paed

[kiwibird27]

:confused: I thought the amount you get back from medicare is a set percentage? I got $120 back from $220 outlay. If a visit cost $400, I don't understand how you get $200-300 back? (that's before going over the threshold). Surely if that's the case I should have got all my money back??

Depends on how specialised the paed is.. like if u see a paediatric sugeon u get more back cause it's surgical... different rates for different things..KWIM

[lavenderpegasus]

If you can't afford the bill maybe call ahead and ask if they have a plan where they charge medicare and you pay the difference. MOST Dr actually can do this but only offer if the case is dire.

I would be shocked to see the amount, but happy to pay for the kiddies.

[Harlequin]

Geez that sucks.

I've seen a couple of paeds and have never had to pay a thing. Both offices were in hospital complexes though so maybe thats why... or because we were referred via the dr and emergency?

[Nowhere]

OK WOW im floored by that, As you know we are also in WA and have a overly complex kid and she sees the Drs that are in the top of there feilds, in each and every specialty and I have never heard of any one charging that high.

We see the head of peadiatric Neurology privately and we dont pay that much I think the first consult was around 220 and that was for a 2 and a half hour consult ( we had lots to discus lol) We see the head of peaditric surgery priivately sometimes if we want to get in that day lol and he charges NOTHING he bils to medicare even privately

Which pead are you seeing if you dont mind me asking what exactly did you get for 400 dollars is your son cured lol If so i would gladly pay it lol, I can understand why he has charged long consult some do but HMMMm 400 is a bit rich, Also with medicare depening on what he lists the service number has wil determine what you get back, KWIM if he only listed as pead initial consult you will only get at the most 200 back maybe even 180 from memory, He may as listed it as developement assesmnt and consult so maybe more

Would be intersted to see how much yoou get back

Most importanly was you happy with the pead you seen did he give you the answers you needed

[Mrs Little]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for your feedback.

In answer to your questions:

- DS1 has not yet seen the paed. His appoint is in May. I was just sent a letter detailing the cost, appointment time and a map.
- On the letter and letter head, this pead is labelled as a 'general paed' and' consultant paed'. His introduction letter explains he specialises in 'management of learning dsorders, childhood behavioural problems, ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorders' and it goes on later to say ' i see children with a wide variety of illnesses and other conditons from birth to the age of 16 years.'
- In the letter is says medicare will rebate me '$207.25' of the $400 from the intial consult. I'm aware that it could be higher as we've reached the medcare threshold.
- I've seen numerous specialists for both DS1 & 2, including peads specialising in GI issues and peadiatric surgeons and never been charged this amount. It would be cheaper for me to take DS1 to hospital over night and pay the excess than take him to see this pead!
- Like i said in the intial post- i'm going to find out if DS1 has any developmental issues....can i see any pead for tests related to these?
- I am happy to pay this amount for the well beng of my child- gosh i wouldn't blink an eye lid. But greediness doesn't mean that he's a good dr. I am very cautious of Drs and very protective of my children, whom i am accountable for. My mother radar just went to 'alert' mode when i got his letter, and i wondered if this cost was 'normal' or necessary.

Mrs Little & Sons.

[onkybear]

i had to have a pead at the birth of my dd as it was a c-sect and his inital fee was just over $400. (Charges that for inital consult in rooms too then $115 per appoint there after) you get *0% back if you have reached safety net. Goodluck

[mum_I'm_hungry]

$400 is up there, but I wouldn't call it outrageous and be disgusted, especially considering it's a 50 minute appointment. If you think about it, he could normally see two patients in this time, charge them $200 each and no-one would blink an eye-lid at $200, so $400 for an initial consult of 50 minutes isn't shocking, really. If you think it says something about him, however, you are well within your rights to find someone less expensive.

You can't really compare a hospital admission excess cost to the cost of seeing this doctor, however. It's like comparing apples and oranges. I know lots of women are shocked that my husband can charge what he does for an epidural (which, if it goes perfectly, can take a very short amount of time), but it's not the amount of time you're paying for, but the level of skill. Thus, I would pay this paediatrician's fee if I thought his skill level was worth it :yes:

[Mrs Dolphin]

Yeah it does seem quite expensive - but then I guess for a 50min consult - it's not too bad either. My DD has to see an allergy specialist and his initial consultation is $225 and I am sure it will not be for 50mins! So in a way a consult for 50mins for $400 is kinder fair enough.

That doesn't mean I necessarily agree with what specialists charge - I think most of the time it is outrageous! I'm not really sure how we are going to come up with the money (get a little bit more than half back from medicare) but it states on his letter that full payment is required on the day - makes it hard for families to come up with the full payment straight up - I wish doctors had like the private health does with the HICAPS - and we just pay the difference!

Of course I will pay it because my DD health is the most important thing but it is still alot of money for us! We have a health care card but a concession cost is not even mentioned so I guess this doctor doesn't give concessions!

Aw well life goes on I guess but I do feel your pain! :detective:

[Tamzfamily]

My son got referred to a Clinical Pysc, had hearing tests done and is going to be starting speech thearpy again and i havent had to pay anything. are you going private with your childs speech thearpy.

you must have had a heart attacks when they told you the bill. you poor thing ! :(

[OneCheekyMonkey]

I am in Perth too, I had to have a paed present for my csect and he got called into the hospital at 2am when my sons blood sugars dropped through the floor.

His initial consult was 239, subsequent visits were 110. He was really very nice too!

I think 400 is exhorbinant and I have personally seen no correlation between cost and how good the dr is (I have an oncologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist). In fact some of the best doctors I have seen bulk bill because they feel that their health care should be available to all.