How much do you pay to see your GP?

[Swisslulu]

As we are not yet pensioners, we don't get any concession when we visit our GP. Erich pays around $50 for his GP in Brisbane CBD. I pay $65 to my GP in a Brisbane northside suburb. Today we had occasion to visit a GP in Armidale NSW. Charge $75! What the.....? Medicare rebate is the same for all. So that leads me to ask what others are paying. Decided to have a couple of prescriptions filled here as well. What I normally pay $8.99 for cost $22.10 and another that is usually about $6.50 cost over $14 - both generics. Does this mean I shouldn't contemplate a move to the country until I am a pensioner?

[T1 Terry]

My GP costs me zero $$, all bulk billed. I wouldn't seriously consider a move to a country town unless you really don't need to seek any medical services besides a few asprin, all the specialists are in the big cities

[Izabarack]

Not pensioners either but we just get bulk billed e.g. nod to the receptionist on the way out. We also get an annual flu shot for zip. Standard script is about $34 at the chemist. We have used this GP for about 6 years now, very happy with her attention, skills, and general care. Orion Shopping Centre at Springfield.

Iza

[BruceS]

The trick is to get your state to issue you with a concession card. It need not have anything to do with pension.
I'll look up the 'requirements' for SA.
It depends on assets & income. (real or otherwise)
http://www.dcsi.sa.gov.au/pub/Home/Fina ... fault.aspx

[Dot]

Every GP has the choice if they bulk bill or not Sometimes the senior partner of a practice makes the rule that there is no bulk billing so always ask the GP if they will BB ? No harm in asking.. We pay around the $25 gap but if just getting a script we are BB'd.

[generdawg]

Don't live in the sticks, but as new residents, we went to the local practise and the receptionist said, "sorry, practise is not taking new patients". Is there a waiting list says I? Name taken about a year ago - don't like my chances.

Now it takes us about half hours drive 15km from home to get bulk billing.

New (green) GP's should serve at least one year of their internship in the bush, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

While travelling if available, I just pop into the emergency at the local hospital. Sometimes I'm lucky.

dawg

[Chuck]

Don't pay anything - Veterans Gold Card, Navigator pays $42 which is pensioner rate at our local GP.

My scripts are all around the $6 - $8 mark.

Prior to setting off on our travels my GP gives me at least one extra script. That, plus the current one normally gives us 8 - 9 months away.

This month me he will give me a replacement for the current one that runs out next month - plus 2 more singed etc & all I need to do is pen the appropriate date. That will give me at least 18 months of travel. He will also mark them - & here I forget the terminology - to enable us to get the entire 6 months supply at once. On too many occasions I have been caught short due to country Chemist at that time not having a couple of my pills.

Yeah, he's a good bloke!

[Macca]

Our surgery bulk bills everyone. The 6mths is Regulation 24 which our Dr does everytime we go way for all our tablets.
Our scripts are normally $5.80. Once over 65 all flu vacs are free. We are getting ours next week in Narrabri as the vacs had not arrived at our surgery at home. Had to do the same last year on way to Kerang.

[BernieQ2]

All bulk bill here.
Bernie.

[Dot]

Where in Qld Bernie? and by the way how's the foot?