Free Medical Care in Australia

[Owlunar]

We have free medical care in Australia - if we can waiting long enough

Some years ago when I was in the public system my operation would have been a year after I first got into the queue - I opted out - in all that time I was thoroughly over it and my torn tendons were healing themselves

Yet in the private system I had my knee operation only a week after I saw the surgeon - which is quite some difference and this was something that could not wait

My main concern is for people on a limited income - depending on the psychologist there is a big difference between the fee and the rebate and then - only 10 visits a year

I asked my therapist about this - actually in the not too distant past it was possible to have more assisted visits with a psychologist the politicians at the time thought it was being "used to much" - really?

I need to look into this - it is really too hard for too many people - and therapy for mental health issues needs to be available to everyone who needs it - 

So I will check this out - I would like to hear what other people say.

Then - of course - visits to the dentist cost a fortune also - and the optomestrist is covered by Medicare but glasses - wow - they can cost a fortune

In this country with free medical care there seems to be a lot missing - I am glad I am in the private system now but I have been in the public system - this is really hard yards for people 

And I care about this

Dec

[Sans911]

Good post @Owlunar

I had to wait 7months to see a public pyschologist who was also not of my choosing as I could not afford a private one. During that time I did have a referral to a suicide prevention counseller, however, that barely stopped from my SI/SH/SA episodes several times a month. This delay has caused irrepairable trauma.

I cannot afford private hospital cover as I am not worked, so I ony have extras. Thank goodness for this as I have dentures, so I pay the gap. I lost my denture upper plate last year (during one of my SH benders), and if not for private cover, it would have been almost 1000 dollars.

There was an article yesterday about the increase in the use of emergency departments, particularly of our newest hospitals, while older hospitals have had their EDs closed as well as many wards. The newer hospitals are struggling to cope, and bed block is a major issue, especially with people with mental illness who I have known to sit in an emergency dept for up to 4days!! Can you imagine being unwell with mental illness in the noisy, chaotic environment of ED. You can't smoke, you can't leave, so it's certainly frustrating and almost cruel.The worst thing about this is that it was predicted this issues would occur as the population of Western Australia is increasing rapidly. Waiting lists for public surgery have blown out to 18months, and waiting lists for public dental are between 3-4 years! It really is quite unacceptable.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Owlunar

It’s a really important topic and one that upsets me and that I struggle to understand.

The question is, how can we make a change?

[Owlunar]

Hi @Sans911

Thanks so much for your reply - this is the kind of info I am looking for - such waits are unacceptable and hit the most vulnerable people in our society

When my son was alive I was well aware of his SI/SH/SA issues but there was nothing I could do about it - I was helpless. I don't know what it feels like myself personally but if a person ends their life it makes me feel a terrible despair - why did that have to happen?

And I don't read all of this forum - only enough to know this happens and this is a very sorry situation for a country who advertises free medical care

I  am so sorry you had to wait so long for a public psychologist and even seeing a suicide prevention counseller was not enough for you. I know a little of your story but not much - I know you have very dark moods at times and now I know how dark

I am really glad you had enough cover for your dentures - going through a public dentist can be a nightmare - I have a story I choose not to tell - too graphic - but yes - the system lets people down badly and I am so sorry - and I am sure I have already said this - that you are so constrained you are forced to wait for a psychologist - that is so bad

So - if you don't mind my asking - how often can you see a public psychologist and for how long? Who decides that?

Obnviously people who are injured or whatever have noticable trauma - there is no doubt in anyone's mind - but what I read here is about people like yourself with MI - who helps. No one can see the pain - 

It's is like chronic pain a lot actually - no one can see pain - and everyone's opinion about pain is different and everyone's experience is different

I wish I could help - any info I gather here will only strengthen my resovle to act - it is private info and will stay that way but I am so glad you have told me this much - the system - indeed the country - is letting you down badly

Best thoughts

Dec

[Sans911]

I am itching to reply to this post @Owlunar @Former-Member but alas I am off to help volunteer at a sausage sizzle, so I will come back to this because oh boy! I have SO MUCH to say how to help, what can be done, and I have already started the ball rolling in my court. Fantastic thread @Owlunar. I can't wait to answer you later and see what others come up with.

[Owlunar]

That is fantastic @Sans911

Also - I came back to say that I can't imagine what it's like to wait for 4 days in the ED with anything - let alone an MI in crisis

But I did spend over 24 hours in the ED with spinal pain with a nurse quibbling that I was after a fix - not true and the doctor who came on after the shift had no doubt of my pain and gave me something strong to help me for a short time

Our counrtry keeps taking in immigrants and the population is increasing naturally and it seems the infrastructure is stretched past breaking point when people have to wait such a long time for help in public hospitals

There is a lot wrong - and to me it is hitting people with MI hardest - and of course - people without resources for anything

I am really glad you are excited about this and I am looking forward to reading what you have to say

Dec

[Pepsimax]

My gp and psychiatrist bulk bill me but I have been seeing them for years now the public hospital system is dreadful even for non MI but in the psych system is shocking

[Owlunar]

Thanks @Pepsimax

It's useful for people to know that medical doctors can bulk-bill - medical doctors include psychiatrists

Also - after a certain amount of visits - including psychologists - medicare rebates increase - but only when on a plan - the rebate ceases when the plan runs out

And private insurance extras don't cover the psychologists fees much at all

You are right - the public hospital system is terrible - and the private system isn't covered by our premiums either - the whole system is pretty creaky but it certainly makes like easier to have private medical insurance

But I am certainly gathering info on how bad the public system is for MI - I am seriously wondering why that is - I mean - even private patients pay a lot for help with MI. Is it because the people with the power don't believe that MI patients are real people who haven't asked for this disorder? - just unlucky?

It is actually a form of discrimination 

Dec

[Pepsimax]

Yes @Owlunar I have private health insurance and stiill pay a copayment when I go hospital and insurance is not cheap unbelievable

[Former-Member]

Hi @Owlunar @Pepsimax @Sans911 @Former-Member

In the past I had excellent private coverage and it was so easy to get medical help almost at the snap of the fingers. Things happened and health coverage could not be afforded. The waiting lists are incredible, I'm still on a dental waiting list after about 15 years so went to a private dentist and paid the fee. I can't afford to see a dentist when I should, and it's affected my other health situations. 

Dentistry is the main care process I'd like to see price reduced and made available on medicare for bulk billing. A significant amount of mental and other health issues are related to poor dental situations. 

Mental health is another that needs so much of an overhaul it's just not going to happen in my lifetime, if it happens at all. 

After years of poor results and poor care, quite a bit of which made me worse rather than better (some of which occured while under private medical coverage) I now choose to see only those who will bulk bill, be they a physician practitioner or a mental health practitioner.

I have no trust whatsoever in the current methods of treating mental health issues and as such don't believe they deserve what little money I might be able to put aside to pay them. (I wouldn't be able to afford them in reality). 

After the fiasco with the last psychologist whose lies and deceptive acts had me knocking on Death's door for a reprieve from the pain, my gp has vetoed any psychiatric intervention at all for me until he can find someone who understands the type of traumas I've experienced and who won't exacerbate my condition/s. My previous really good psych got ill and left town, unfortunately. 

It is my understanding that with a Mental Health Care Plan, there are 10 visits per calendar year, but that an extra 6 can be obtained with the proper paperwork from the psychologist and gp. I have had this happen over the course of a number of years. Yes, it does change from time to time when legislation changes, but it seems it's all in the wording and an up to date with 'things' psych knows what the deal is. 

I hope that this is maybe useful in some way. I don't have the energy to fight this battle anymore, I fought it for years for my kids and got condemned by them for my efforts. I'm worn out now.