[northernfive]

Hi there
Wonder if anyone can help. I'm still getting used to how health care works here, and have only just had my first trip to the doctors.
Having had bad lower abdominal pain for a few days, went to the doctors - who ruled out hernia and appendix - which I didn't feel ill enough to have anyway, so he suspects ovarian cysts - need to go for a scan - but this can't be done for two weeks and will cost $198 (now I know why we should of got insurance :( )

Anyway, my question - if I turned up at A&E would they do the scan and diagnose it ?
I really don't want to be in such discomfort for another two weeks, then another few days after that for a doctors appt before anything is done.

[nippa&pippa]

Good questions! We have been to A&E before with our daughter's illness and have found the waiting room so empty on thursday midday :confused: but because our GP rang ahead to warning them that we got very sick girl, we got seen quicker.I don't know in your case but others will help you...However my OH had abdo pains and we managed to get it under ACC as "work injury" ;) as we didn't know what it was. After course of pain-killer and "rest" (if he could rest!!!) he went back and got refer to have scan at private hospital. He was charged around $100 ?? or less ?? because he had scan covered by ACC that paid for rest of the cost of scan :nice1 We now know what is the problem and he will be fine.
*whisper* We haven't got medical insurance.....:exit

[nippa&pippa]

need to go for a scan - but this can't be done for two weeks and will cost $198 (now I know why we should of got insurance :( )



Are you going to private hospital for scan?? if yes, you can ring around for sooner appointment, after contact second private hospital he managed to get next day appointment instead of one week wait with first hospital. GP usually give you list of all private hospital do scan and down to you to ring around to get cheaper or quicker appointment. Hope that help.

[northernfive]

Are you going to private hospital for scan?? if yes, you can ring around for sooner appointment, after contact second private hospital he managed to get next day appointment instead of one week wait with first hospital. GP usually give you list of all private hospital do scan and down to you to ring around to get cheaper or quicker appointment. Hope that help.


Thanks for that, have tried four others, but due to Anzac day next week noone can do any sooner. typical!

[nippa&pippa]

Thanks for that, have tried four others, but due to Anzac day next week noone can do any sooner. typical!

oh dear! :uhoh

[northernfive]

Do you know, the more I think about this the more I think that surely I must be able to turn up at A&E, I'm in a lot of discomfort and I don't think I can wait two weeks just for the scan.
Although I don't relish sitting in a&e waiting room for hours on end.....why do all the wierdos seem to hang out there ?!

[IanW99]

Hi there
Wonder if anyone can help. I'm still getting used to how health care works here, and have only just had my first trip to the doctors.
Having had bad lower abdominal pain for a few days, went to the doctors - who ruled out hernia and appendix - which I didn't feel ill enough to have anyway, so he suspects ovarian cysts - need to go for a scan - but this can't be done for two weeks and will cost $198 (now I know why we should of got insurance :( )

Anyway, my question - if I turned up at A&E would they do the scan and diagnose it ?
I really don't want to be in such discomfort for another two weeks, then another few days after that for a doctors appt before anything is done.

So is the scan being done at a private hospital?

I was under the impression that if you attended a public hospital for a scan requested by a GP then it was free (assuming entitled of course).

This link:- Hospital Visits (http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-healthservices-hospitalvisits) explains the rules if you do decide to go to A&E, but basically you may need to pay the equivalent of GP fees depending on hospital.

Ian

[northernfive]

So is the scan being done at a private hospital?

I was under the impression that if you attended a public hospital for a scan requested by a GP then it was free (assuming entitled of course).

This link:- Hospital Visits (http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/eligibility-healthservices-hospitalvisits) explains the rules if you do decide to go to A&E, but basically you may need to pay the equivalent of GP fees depending on hospital.

Ian

Hi
the telephone numbers the doctor gave me were all private hospitals, so all of them charge. he didn't say anything about the public hospital

[nippa&pippa]

Hi
the telephone numbers the doctor gave me were all private hospitals, so all of them charge. he didn't say anything about the public hospital

Far I know, you need to be referral to specialist dr at public hospital before able to have scan at public hospital, otherwise all scans done at private hospitals as well as maternity scans. While I was waiting for my turn to have maternity scan, I have see people turn up with broken arm, leg etc turn at private for x-ray after been to GP first then treated! I think they have system to cut down long waiting list like UK having problem with?

[jubjub]

Northern five whereabouts are you?

In auckland there is a group called Horizon Radiology, and they do free preggy scans, so there is a chance you could either get a free or cheaper one through them?

worth a try...

I would have thought it would have been free too, as I got sent for xrays and wasnt charged for them.

It also may depend on your visa you have? do you have a 2 yr work visa or PR? if you dont have either of these, sometimes that can result in increased costs.

[incredible hulse]

In auckland there is a group called Horizon Radiology, and they do free preggy scans, so there is a chance you could either get a free or cheaper one through them?



Hi JubJub - do you know if the free preggy scans up there are just the 20 week one ? Reason I ask is we had to pay down in Welly for the 12 week, 24, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 39 wk (complicated pregnancy) - got quite expensive at 30 dollars a time ! The 20 week one was the only freeby we were told. (This has changed (for the worse) over the last year by the way as with our first kiwi we got all extra scans free)

[shakyle2906]

Hi there
Wonder if anyone can help. I'm still getting used to how health care works here, and have only just had my first trip to the doctors.
Having had bad lower abdominal pain for a few days, went to the doctors - who ruled out hernia and appendix - which I didn't feel ill enough to have anyway, so he suspects ovarian cysts - need to go for a scan - but this can't be done for two weeks and will cost $198 (now I know why we should of got insurance :( )

Anyway, my question - if I turned up at A&E would they do the scan and diagnose it ?
I really don't want to be in such discomfort for another two weeks, then another few days after that for a doctors appt before anything is done.


HI

I work at a Hospital and have found that as long as your Dr refers you in, it SHOULD be free, but it also depends on if you are here on a work visa or are a resident also ? Also, depends on what type of scan, and not only what priority your dr does it at, it then gets prioritised by radiology also, so may found there could be a waiting list too ??
If you are on a work visa, provided it is 2yrs, you SHOULD be able to get it free. Anything less, you will have to pay plus for the consultation.

Unsure if A and E would do free sorry..........guess its a chance you take ??

HTH in some way

Sharon
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