Hospital wait times

[Old Koreelah]

... I don't want to give my life savings to the medical profession when the time comes. I have yet to see a happy outcome from an old person with a serious medical problem, and the sooner they have died, the better off they were.I'm open to suggestions....

Most of our medical budget is expended on people in their last few years of life. Does it improve their quality of life or just extend their suffering? If we got the damned religious nutters out of the way, we could empower people to choose how much more they are to endure.

 

 

[spacesailor]

O K

 

Fancy doing what Austria Did, Before Germany did it as well. (up-scaled it).

 

Only Two doctors, signed you away, even against family wishes,

 

OR

 

Perhaps the Film "Logans Run" It ran as a TV series for a long time, (four seasons),

 

At least in the film it was over in a flash, But only 30 years, before your past-it. I thought 30 was the Best year's, of family life.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

No worries, Spacey. My son-in-law assures me that when I am of no further use I'll be put on an iceberg and pushed out to sea...

 

 

[spacesailor]

Is that the COLD shoulder treatment !. LoL

 

spacesailor

 

 

[facthunter]

You know he can't fulfil that promise OK. The icebergs are all melting away. CIVILISED tribes also respect the "Wise old elders".. Fee for service means the medico's CAN overservice Patients for profit in their dying days, But there are forces acting against that, so it's a tussle between two aspects of the system. Older peoples worth is very much underutilized and underestimated.. Feed your dog rubbish and it will get sick. The same with old people. Eat well and keep moving till you drop. Nev

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Too plurry right Nev. Our society worships the new, even though it may be displacing older, better options.

 

Our state government spends billions to demolish and replace a near-new stadium while ambos, teachers and nurses make do in crumbling old relics.

 

Our local community has a Heritage Village built and run by a bunch of old farts who run rings around local government for efficiency and skill.

 

You shouldn’t have got me started...

 

 

[facthunter]

I don't mind. .Nev

 

 

[red750]

Our family has had top private health cover for years. When I got a pacemaker. I don't recall paying anything but the entrance fee ($160) for the emergency ward at the private hospital when the ambulance took me there. When I had cancer, I was in Epworth hospital for 14 days, because I got a kidney infection which caused atrial fibrillation. This was followed by 18 weeks of chemotherapy. I paid - $0.00. Just signed the form.I've heard of people having to mortgage the house. Private hospital accommodation can cost over $1000 per day.Again, when I had gout and cellulitis and could not put my foot to the floor, eight days in Knox Private -- just signed the form. Wouldn't be without private health cover. There is no charge for specialist - urologist, cardiologist, oncologist - while you are an inpatient. Different story when you visit their consulting rooms as an outpatient.

 

 

[spacesailor]

RED

 

It didn't work for me. (M,B,F,)

 

Daughter's nose job, $3,500, then AFTER paying, was told Dr needs to see me, & said "He didn't perform the op as patient was young & could grow out of NEEDING an operation"..

 

That 25 years later, Daughter can't drink and breath at the same time, and will (has been advised) to have the operation. due to having to sleep with mouth open.

 

So it's a No from me for having a two tier system.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[old man emu]

I want to see a cardiologist to have the blood vessels of my heart checked out before I start doing some aerobic exercise. I don't want to do a stress test, cause, if the plumbing is blocked, I could drop dead doing the test.

 

I just rang a local cardiologist to find the cost of a consultation for a pensioner. $290 less the $156 Medicare rebate = $134 out of pocket. Who's using a specialist qualification to extort money?

 

 

[spacesailor]

My specialist cost $250, & only get $74 back, (one day hopefully (Wait a month for Bank statement.))

 

spacesailor

 

 

[facthunter]

A stress ECG for older persons is a risk. You can have the problem a week or so later. Nev

 

 

[red750]

It didn't work for me. (M,B,F,)

My wife was a manager's secretary in the Commbank for a few years, so we joined CBHS (Commonwealth Bank Health Service) and remain members in retirement. Our cover is currently about $170 per month. Saved us thousands.

 

My oncologist charges $120 per visit, Medicare refund $64.20. Consultation is so short you could leave the engine running in the car park.

 

 

[old man emu]

What pensioner can afford to maintain private health insurance?

 

I went to see a specialist of some sort once. Had to pay for the visit before I was even allowed into the waiting room. Medicos and Lawyers - Robbing Hoods!

 

 

[red750]

My last visit I didn't have the money, and you have to pay as you leave. I mixed up the appointment date and it wasn't pension week. I said "Can I get a bill and pay it next week?" He said "I'll bulk bill this one only."

 

 

[red750]

Medicos and Lawyers - Robbing Hoods!

And insurance companies.

 

 

[pmccarthy]

My friend was forced by CASA to have a stress cardio. He had a heart attack. Survived a couple of years more then had another and died. Don’t do that test.

 

 

[spacesailor]

"Consultation is so short you could leave the engine running in the car park."

 

I did just that when filling in the "Paper-work".

 

No parking payment from me for that visit.

 

spacesailor

 

 

[spacesailor]

Insurance as Big a ripoff

 

AS GST/VAT.

 

The government wants the prices to go up,

 

Including the NINE cent for the farmers.

 

Don't forget that GST on that 10cents.

 

Pensioners will have to manage with IMPORTED Processed milk, ( DRY/ UHT).

 

spacesailor