GP's - Charges for Follow up Visits

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782378

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I Brought my 9 month daughter to the doctor on Saturday as she had a bad cough, sore throat and high temperature. The doctor listened to her chest said she was teething and that there was nothing he could do for her. I was chaged 50 Euro for this 2 minute visit.

On Monday night her symptoms got worse so I brought her back to the same clinic on Tuesday morning. A different doctor thoroughly checked her out this time and said she had a bad throat infection and needed antibiotics. This Doctor charged 30Euro for this follow up visit.

When I advised the second doctor that she had already been in clinic for same complaint a few days earlier and in my opinion should not be charged again, he told me that he was justified in charging for the second visit as the symptoms were not obvious on the first visit and therefore this was a seperate consultation.


My question is, Is the clinic justified in charging 50+30 for these two visits even though in my opinion it related to the same symptoms?


I really think this is a scam as this is the second time this has happened in the last year, I would change doctors if possible but there a no other ones in close proximity.
 
Not sure how much consolation it will be but you can probably claim MED1 tax relief on the GP consultation and prescribed/recommended drug expenses.

Some GPs charge the full rate even for follow ups. Others don't. I was with my GP for the second time in a few weeks recently. His receptionist (and wife) checked and said "oh - I see that it's follow up visit - that'll be €20" (full rate is €45). I explained to her that it wasn't actually a follow up but about a separate/new matter (chest infection) so I didn't mind paying the full rate. She said "ah - you'll probably need antibiotics anyway so let's leave it at €20". :)
 
I appreciate where you're coming from. I also have a nine month old daughter and I would be highly concerned if she had a cough, high temperature and sore throat and was told by her GP that there was NOTHING he could do, teething? What? Cough - honey and glycerine syrup to ease cough also aiding sore throat.Calpol or neurofen for temperature or tepid bath to bring down temperature.These are the things my GP has recommended previosly and also if there was no improvement over night to go back the next morning. i would be fuming over the lack of advice and the cheek to charge another €30 then.
 
Sometimes the GP's seem a bit surprised at the charges themselves. I had an emergency call out last year when I developed heatstroke on the Saturday night/Sunday morning. My wife went to the out of hours surgery afterwards to pay the charge, which was €70, and the doctor mentioned how expensive it seemed to be, in a surprised manner (according to my wife,anyway).
 
The Medical practice I attend used to have a reduced "follow-up consultation" charge, but abolished it when they last increased their prices (about 12 months ago). A second consultation costs the same as the original - €50 - no matter what the reason.
 
I was speaking to a nurse recently about the cost of getting a doctor to do a call out. Her reply was 'well I suppose when you think of how much it costs for a call out for your washing machine etc., it's not that expensive'. ???
 
Margie said:
I was speaking to a nurse recently about the cost of getting a doctor to do a call out. Her reply was 'well I suppose when you think of how much it costs for a call out for your washing machine etc., it's not that expensive'. ???
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Not a totally unreasonable argument? Especially since an appliance maintenance person will often have a fixed call out charge and then charge for parts and labour on top?
 
ClubMan said:
Not a totally unreasonable argument? Especially since an appliance maintenance person will often have a fixed call out charge and then charge for parts and labour on top?
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If only they could fit me with new parts.... :D

30 this month. feeling old...
 
If one is on 41% tax then a €50 GP charge benefits from €20.50 tax relief thus costing a net €29.50. For those who have private health insurance cover including day to day medical expense refunds they could get €20 or €30 of the initial fee back which would leave the remaining €30 or €20 subject to tax relief meaning that the net cost would be €17.70 or €11.80. Those who have cash plans may fare even better.
 
My argument really is: If the first GP had took the time to do a thorough check (he didn't check temp or even look in her throat) rather just listen to her chest with stetiscope that maybe I would not have needed the follow up and antibiotics would have been prescribed earlier.

In fairness to the second doctor at the clinic he checked her temperature looked at her throat and and spent time assesing her before his prognosos that she had a bad throat infection.

It seems like a win win situation for doctors to make money.

I know some people go to the doctor for the sake of it and doctors can be dismissive of these hypocondriac types, however I feel if you go with a genuine complaint and it is not dealt with sufficiently on the first visit that you shouldn't be charged for the follow up visit.
 
Sounds like your main complaint is with a doctor allegedly not doing their job properly. Why not make a formal complaint and then switch doctor?

782378 said:
I would change doctors if possible but there a no other ones in close proximity.
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I don't understand...
I Brought my 9 month daughter to the doctor on Saturday as she had a bad cough, sore throat and high temperature. The doctor listened to her chest said she was teething and that there was nothing he could do for her. I was chaged 50 Euro for this 2 minute visit.

On Monday night her symptoms got worse so I brought her back to the same clinic on Tuesday morning. A different doctor thoroughly checked her out ...
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If you were happier with the treatment meted out by this doctor then why not switch to them?
 
It is not a specific GP'S office, It is a medical clinic and there is a different GP on duty depending on the day or time you visit the clinic. You don't get a choice and only have the option of visiting whichever GP is one on duty at that time.
 
I see. I thought that it might be a single surgery with more than one GP on regular duty.
 
Did you go to an out of hours clinic, or a day time GP surgery? The out of hour clinic, not being " owned" by the GP you are seeing, is a difficult one, as the GP working there that day may not be in a position to waive the fee.
If it was your own GP surgery, I am sure you can bring it up with them again. Clear the air, and resolve the issue.
 
Good advice from rob30 to speak to the surgery again as with a small child its very likely u will be back into the doctor again soon. What do you mean by its a scam?
 
brid1977 said:
What do you mean by its a scam?
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Good question.
ClubMan has pointed out that the net cost for GP visits can, in fact, be quite low. I do think that €50 for a follow up visit is quite high. Mrs. Purple is a GP and she doesn't charge for any follow up visits.
On the other hand I think that €70 for a home visit is very good value. Try getting an accountant or solicitor to visit you at home at 4am for €70 (or even €170)
 
My local doctor is a clinic such as this and charges €55 for a visit, and €30 for a return within a week.

I was at my doctor's Monday and was told I had a chest infection and the doctor gave me a cert for work until Thursday. There was no way I could go back to work Thursday (believe me I have only just persuaded the mammy that she can go home) so I rang for another cert. 20 euro! to write the words 'ci' on a piece of paper! I didn't have to be seen again so the doctor didn't have to do any work!

The same clinic has been charging me €55 per visit for a recurrent urinary infection and last time the doctor (different one from above) told me she had 'drawn a blank'. C'mon!
 
amtc said:
My local doctor is a clinic such as this and charges €55 for a visit, and €30 for a return within a week.

I was at my doctor's Monday and was told I had a chest infection and the doctor gave me a cert for work until Thursday. There was no way I could go back to work Thursday (believe me I have only just persuaded the mammy that she can go home) so I rang for another cert. 20 euro! to write the words 'ci' on a piece of paper! I didn't have to be seen again so the doctor didn't have to do any work!

The same clinic has been charging me €55 per visit for a recurrent urinary infection and last time the doctor (different one from above) told me she had 'drawn a blank'. C'mon!
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Go to a different GP.
 
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