Healthcare costs - not insurance Can you go to a cardiologist directly?
- Thread starter Ndiddy
- Start date
AFAIK you will need a referral letter from the GP. It might be as well for you to have a chat with GP and familiarise yourself with the problem/recommendation. Forewarned is forearmed. You can educate yourself then before going to the consultant. This route might well save you a second visit to the consultant which would definitely be the cheaper option.
I always console myself by deducting 50% which is covered by my VHI plan and then 20% tax relief which I feel softens the blow even if it is only in my own head
I can still never figure out why I have to have these long chats with myself in these situations
I always console myself by deducting 50% which is covered by my VHI plan and then 20% tax relief which I feel softens the blow even if it is only in my own head
I can still never figure out why I have to have these long chats with myself in these situations Surely you're worth €65? You may not know it, but that's what the question really is.
RetirementPlan
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If there is issue here, I'd be keen to get my GP involved sooner rather than later, as they will have a key role in managing care. They should be a good gatekeeper, directing you to appropriate consultants relevant to your condition.
Mater Private website suggests that a referral is needed.
You could check with the Laya concierge too; https://www.layahealthcare.ie/layahealthcareconcierge
Mater Private website suggests that a referral is needed.
You could check with the Laya concierge too; https://www.layahealthcare.ie/layahealthcareconcierge
I haven't used it for this purpose but the Laya online consultations say they issue referrals too so maybe if you don't want to go to doc at this stage you could try that. I use the online doc consulations for basic antibiotics when needed and find it a great system.
I personally don't like my doc so would avoid going there as first port of call but if you like your doc and don't mind paying the 65 then that would be the obvious route.
I personally don't like my doc so would avoid going there as first port of call but if you like your doc and don't mind paying the 65 then that would be the obvious route.
exactly! not fond of gp and always feel like just a number there.....don't mind the 65 euro but usually several weeks wait for appt, but also don't want multiple consultant visits if that could be avoided....
thanks
RetirementPlan
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Wow that's dreadful service. 3rd world stuff, even England is not as bad as that. I can get a next day GP appointment no problem. Time to move
Very few consultants will see a patient if they are not referred by a GP or another consultant. This is emphasised by Medical Council, insurers, etc. also.
Your GP is your primary doctor and a big part of their job is triaging care to specialists/hospitals. They are gatekeepers helping prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed and helping patients avoid predatory practices. For every patient that attends us in A&E, the GPs will have treated multiple patients successfully at home.
The €65 pays your GP to review the Laya heartcheck report, assess you, put everything together, make a recommendation on whether referral is warranted (it could be the case that the GP could do some of what the Laya report suggest in the GP clinic), and then write a letter containing all the relevant info that a cardiologist would want to know, including pertinent negatives and family history. The €65 also covers time spent reading any other correspondence they receive about your care, writing further letters, answering phone calls, etc. Worth it in my opinion.
Definitely consider changing GPs if you don't like them. You have to be comfortable with them and have confidence in their care.
Your GP is your primary doctor and a big part of their job is triaging care to specialists/hospitals. They are gatekeepers helping prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed and helping patients avoid predatory practices. For every patient that attends us in A&E, the GPs will have treated multiple patients successfully at home.
The €65 pays your GP to review the Laya heartcheck report, assess you, put everything together, make a recommendation on whether referral is warranted (it could be the case that the GP could do some of what the Laya report suggest in the GP clinic), and then write a letter containing all the relevant info that a cardiologist would want to know, including pertinent negatives and family history. The €65 also covers time spent reading any other correspondence they receive about your care, writing further letters, answering phone calls, etc. Worth it in my opinion.
Definitely consider changing GPs if you don't like them. You have to be comfortable with them and have confidence in their care.
Definitely. Have heard this a lot recently and not just for medical card patients.
Starrynights
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Any new GP clinic should be able to request a copy of your medical history from your previous clinic, once you give them permission to do so. This system should allow you to move GP clinics as much as you wish and have continuity of care. Given how much of a large role they are supposed to play in our healthcare, in my opinion, it's quite important to have a GP who you like and you feel like is actually listening to you.Not always that easy change GP especially when you have long history with them! Easier to stay where you and your situation is known and known well unfortunately, I go if I really have to!
I know that but realistically they don't know you personally and will take a long time to catch up after a cursory glance through years of notes!
I have no issues with the care/confidence in the GP, it actually suits me the way the deal with things as in quick referral and no trying this and that first, as I say they know my history well. I simply just don't like them that much for various reasons but I don't want a new friend just a good doctor so will stay put
NoRegretsCoyote
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One could argue that forcing people to go through GPs is itself a predatory practice
You don't need an architect to employ a builder for example.
Dealing directly with medical specialists directly is common elsewhere (the US) and seems to work okay.
One could argue that forcing people to go through GPs is itself a predatory practice
You don't need an architect to employ a builder for example.
Dealing directly with medical specialists directly is common elsewhere (the US) and seems to work okay.
In the US, a private consultant will be happy to take your money, whether you need their help or not.
NoRegretsCoyote
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Oddly enough, you can engage a barrister directly if you live in an EU member state other than Ireland.
The EU recognises this as a restrictive practice and doesn't allow it for the provision of cross-border services.