Visit to a consultant (in his "rooms" ) Cash only No cheques,no laser cards,no visa ?

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thedaras

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This will be my third visit to a consultant (in his "rooms" ),and each time Im told its cash only.

No cheques,no laser cards,no visa cards.

Apparently this is the norm for visits to consultants,and in the hospitals if you see them privately the majority will see you on a cash only basis.

Anyone know why this is the case?

It is very inconvenient and must cause a security issue with so much cash floating around.
 
Does the secretary give you a receipt?

Consultants have to keep records surely.

It's not like a mechanic just fixing a banger, records of visits are important
 
Irish medical consultants are amongst the best paid in the world -far better,for example, than in U.K. They continue to increase their fees every year during the last few years -perhaps to compensate for losses that some of them made on their investments.

Having visited several in the last few years I was flabbergasted when ,whilst trying to ascertain the cause for my daughters ailment, none of them found the cause but each of them were happy to charge on average 200 euros for a short " consultation", none of which were of any benefit.

Consultants contribute to the high costs of public and private health care. If,indeed, any are demanding cash only then they should be reported. I admit that I've never been asked for cash only.

P.S. If either my own cardiac consultant or my brother-in-law consultant is reading this and can identify me I really didn't mean either of you. I meant all the others !
 
I do get a receipt.Its on an A4 page ..
They have my records on computer .Well he has a folder when I go into his rooms,but the secretary has my information on the computer
I presume,as it is the norm for consultants to only take cash that it is perfectly legal..
But I would agree it is open to all not being declared..
Imagine if we had to pay for everything in cash! I am really puzzled as to why they only take cash,I can understand not taking cheques but no laser or Visa??
While I was there ,about ten patients came and went,(I got an in between last minute appointment) so that was around 1000 euro in about an hour!Mad Ted
 
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People are bouncing cheques on him maybe?

And it'll look rough on a consultant or the consultants secretary to chase down a parent with a sick child for money.
Joe Duffy could whip up a storm with a story like that
 
Yep, I can understand the no cheque but why no laser and why no visa,sure thats instant,and they are guaranteed to be paid ..
At the stage where they send you a letter stating your appointment ,this letter states that its cash only..at my second appointment ,I forgot about this rule and automatically offered my laser to be told they wouldn't accept it,luckily I had 80 euro in cash and I agreed to bring back the other 20..
It goes without saying that I asked why they only took cash and the secretary said she has no idea,and directed me to the consultant,now I dont know about anyone else but when you have a sick child the last thing you want to do is confront the person who you are relying on for advice/medication/operation!
 
-100 euros was cheap, though I believe for repeat visit for young kids, especially if in the Childrens hospital the fees are much lower than normal.
In fairness ten consultations would seem a lot in an hour. It's usually 4-6 though the average consultant charges over 200 for first visits, so i suppose it would still work out at a grand an hour.
Thats besides those who do simple procedures (not major surgeries) where they charge a fortune -and,above all, the HSE income.

Does anyone disagree that ,even after costs-rent,secretary - their average incomes are a few hundred thousand euros a year ? cash or otherwise
 
Might be that high but a few hundred thousand a year for a consultant is only mickey mouse money

Remember that quote? :D
 
If a plumber said cash only would you presume it was because he/she was evading tax?

Consultants are no more or less likely to engage in tax evasion than anyone else; there are as many dishonest doctors as dishonest plumbers/carpenters/taxi drivers/ solicitors.

If the consultant insists on "cash only" you can bet they are skimming cash off the top.

By the way Old Nick I have to correct you; Irish consultants aren’t amongst the best paid in the world, they are the best paid in the world (bear that in mind the next time you see one of them shed crocodile tears in the media about lack of resources).
 
Purple said:
If a plumber said cash only would you presume it was because he/she was evading tax?

Consultants are no more or less likely to engage in tax evasion than anyone else; there are as many dishonest doctors as dishonest plumbers/carpenters/taxi drivers/ solicitors.

If the consultant insists on "cash only" you can bet they are skimming cash off the top.

By the way Old Nick I have to correct you; Irish consultants aren’t amongst the best paid in the world, they are the best paid in the world (bear that in mind the next time you see one of them shed crocodile tears in the media about lack of resources).
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You could be right but I'm not sure. My wife has recently opened her own practice in the medical field. We looked at payment methods when opening and have remained a cash-only business. The following are our reasons:

1. Cheques bouncing leading to either bad debts or chasing customers which also affects the client relationship.
2. Having to go to the bank to lodge cheques.
3. The cost of providing laser/CC facilities

We also do not provide credit and there is an ATM close by which helps shoud a client arrive without cash.

Having said that a consultant's fees are pretty significant and they also do have secetaries so I would expect them to accept laser in any case.

The fact is though they are quite entitled to insist on cash as this is the primary legal tender.

Just my 2c (in cash!)
 
Firefly said:
3. The cost of providing laser/CC facilities
We also do not provide credit and there is an ATM close by which helps shoud a client arrive without cash.
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While I understand that there are costs associated with accepting card, I personally don't shop in cash-only shops. The inconvenience of finding a working ATM followed by taking out at least €20 (no matter the price of the item I'm buying) is just too off-putting so I don't bother. I know I'm not in the majority about this but it's worth bearing in mind :)
 
The costs in Ireland for medical care never cease to amaze me. We paid 60€ recently for a top of his field consultant, were able to make the appointment about 12 days in advance, got seen an hour late and did not have to go through a GP. Cash or laser were acceptable, we got a 'legal' receipt (they have special one's here) to claim back about 80% of the cost and surgery scheduled for 2 weeks after that.

Revenue target certain areas from time to time, maybe they should focus on consultants.
 
I have never had to pay in cash for anything before.
Does anyone know if there are any other businesses that insist on cash only? (Apart from dodgy ones!)
I cannot think of one,where I had to pay in cash ..
 
Firefly said:
You could be right but I'm not sure. My wife has recently opened her own practice in the medical field. We looked at payment methods when opening and have remained a cash-only business. The following are our reasons:

1. Cheques bouncing leading to either bad debts or chasing customers which also affects the client relationship.
2. Having to go to the bank to lodge cheques.
3. The cost of providing laser/CC facilities

We also do not provide credit and there is an ATM close by which helps shoud a client arrive without cash.

Having said that a consultant's fees are pretty significant and they also do have secetaries so I would expect them to accept laser in any case.

The fact is though they are quite entitled to insist on cash as this is the primary legal tender.

Just my 2c (in cash!)
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The cost of the Debit/Credit card machine isn't that high. The danger is holding cash on-site it always there and there is a cost in time and money to lodge cash in the bank. Revenue are much happier when doing an audit if they see the debit/credit card machine.
 
Based on one patient per 15 minutes ,this would be 400 euro cash per hour ,and if he was working for five hours,that would be 2000e in cash.

Thats a conservative estimate,as while I was there,there were at least ten patients,coming and going within 45 minutes,some of them were with him for five minutes,I was with him for about 7-10 minutes.So he could be taking up to 2500/3000 euro per five hours! IN CASH!
 
Purple said:
The cost of the Debit/Credit card machine isn't that high.
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You also need a phone line for this (which we don't otherwise need) so it's extra expense when starting off. May re-visit this down the road though.

Purple said:
The danger is holding cash on-site it always there and there is a cost in time and money to lodge cash in the bank.
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That's true, but there will always be somemoney there and we're insured in any case. We only keep a float over-night and I lodge the money myself on my lunch break so it's only shoe leather for me! When things pick up we might look at the night safe option, but I'd be more scared of these as it's usually dimly lit!


Purple said:
Revenue are much happier when doing an audit if they see the debit/credit card machine.
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I'm sure they are! Myself and Mrs Firefly have always been tax compliant though and she keeps very good records.
 
The consultant probably owes thousands a good few pound to the bank and operating in cash is the only way he can maintain a good lifestyle without the bank swallowing up his cash as soon as he lodges it.
 
Anytime I have seen a consultant it has always been cash (and always €200 :() but I have always requested a receipt for VHI / MED1 purposes. Yes, a pain, but if supplying a receipt surely they can't be up to no good?

If I am going to a consultation I always ensure I take a list of questions I want to ask. It's 'my' time, and I am not afraid to ask for clarification, challenge points etc. Figured I am paying enough, and nowhere does it say that Flossie's appointment is for 10 minutes.
 
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