Private Health Insurance

I want to see a neurologist to have a tremor in my hand checked out. When I went to the GP and got a referral, she said I would have to wait around 12 months because "my situation" was not urgent. There are only 2 neurologists in my regional area in QLD.

I thought because I have private health insurance, I would be placed ahead of the queue a bit more and be able to see a lot neurologist faster; like in a month. The GP said the private health cover didn't matter, geez...like now they tell me!!! I've been paying this private health insurance for 8 years now (I'm 38) - I thought one of the benefits of having private health insurance was that you didn't have to wait like 12 months - that you could see a specialist in like 1-2 months.

Now, faced with the option to have to fly to Brisbane to see a specialist to see if I can get in quicker.

Also, with NIB for many years, seems to be the best and cheapest health fund with the most extras for a single guy like me (despite the premiums going up) - anyone else got a better private health fund for singles?
 
Private health (the hospital component) only covers in-patient services. Assuming the 12 month wait is for public patients, you can skip the queue usually by paying out of pocket.

Private health insurance is a complete rip off in Aus.
 
I want to see a neurologist to have a tremor in my hand checked out. When I went to the GP and got a referral, she said I would have to wait around 12 months because "my situation" was not urgent. There are only 2 neurologists in my regional area in QLD.

I thought because I have private health insurance, I would be placed ahead of the queue a bit more and be able to see a lot neurologist faster; like in a month. The GP said the private health cover didn't matter, geez...like now they tell me!!! I've been paying this private health insurance for 8 years now (I'm 38) - I thought one of the benefits of having private health insurance was that you didn't have to wait like 12 months - that you could see a specialist in like 1-2 months.

Now, faced with the option to have to fly to Brisbane to see a specialist to see if I can get in quicker.

Also, with NIB for many years, seems to be the best and cheapest health fund with the most extras for a single guy like me (despite the premiums going up) - anyone else got a better private health fund for singles?

Couldn't your GP ring other GPs in major towns to locate one for you rather than driving? I suppose the option is to yes to get to an area where they have more... also try other GPs, don't just get recommendation from one, if you can? There are doctors and doctors as there are people and people, right?
Also, ring your private health fund and communicate what you said here, and perhaps they will be able to help with referral.....
 
I want to see a neurologist to have a tremor in my hand checked out. When I went to the GP and got a referral, she said I would have to wait around 12 months because "my situation" was not urgent. There are only 2 neurologists in my regional area in QLD.

I thought because I have private health insurance, I would be placed ahead of the queue a bit more and be able to see a lot neurologist faster; like in a month. The GP said the private health cover didn't matter, geez...like now they tell me!!! I've been paying this private health insurance for 8 years now (I'm 38) - I thought one of the benefits of having private health insurance was that you didn't have to wait like 12 months - that you could see a specialist in like 1-2 months.

Now, faced with the option to have to fly to Brisbane to see a specialist to see if I can get in quicker.

Also, with NIB for many years, seems to be the best and cheapest health fund with the most extras for a single guy like me (despite the premiums going up) - anyone else got a better private health fund for singles?

Everyone is on par for a consult but should you need surgery etc then you will be able to book it in a look quicker if you have private health insurance.

Ring the nueros rooms and see what the wait is like. Generally for most specialists its around 8-12 weeks in metro areas.

Good luck with it.
 
Yes, I'd be contacting the specialist. You never know when a vacancy might arise & they can get you in sooner.
 
Beachy, can you call the neurologist's rooms and get put on a 'wait list'. They can then fit you in whenever there is a cancellation.

Don't be too worried about the shake in the hand. If the doctor thought it was urgent, he would have said so.
 
Also, with NIB for many years, seems to be the best and cheapest health fund with the most extras for a single guy like me (despite the premiums going up) - anyone else got a better private health fund for singles?

I'm considering to switch from NIB to health.com.au this year
They seem to provide better cash back for the same premium, at least for me :eek:
 
Yes, I'd be contacting the specialist. You never know when a vacancy might arise & they can get you in sooner.

Contact the specialist direct ... hubby had an abnormal bowel scan come back and the GP referred him to a specialist - only to be advised the wait was over 12 months before an appointment could even be made.

Hubby was prepared to wait.

I wasn't having any of that and, after talking to the specialist receptionist, found out the GP had referred him as a "non health fund" patient.

Needless to say, once the confusion was sorted out, he was seen within 3 weeks ... now, potential bowel cancer is not something to be left waiting for "over 12 months" - and fortunately turned out to be nothing more than a few pollops - but if it had been cancer, it could've gone from treatable to fatal in that period of time.

If you have to fly to the big city - then do it. Your health is not worth mucking around with ... and I'm sure there's some friendly SSer would could put you up for a few nights ...
 
I know from experience that when something is urgent it is treated immediately!!!

I had my annual check with local GP. The following morning at 8am she was on the phone telling me to get to GPs surgery immediately. She had found a problem with one of the tests, I was at a Specialist in an hour. In hospital within days for tests and on treatment within weeks.

Having private hospital cover was only important for getting the hospital booking for the tests.

Getting specialist appointments depended on severity of the problem.

I believe we have the best medical and hospital care anywhere!

Good luck

Chris
 
OK Thanks heaps everyone.

I'm currently on the waiting list now as referred by my GP, but she said I might be waiting around 12 months, and I'm concerned about my "essential tremor" (the GP called it) in my right hand; and didn't want to think it was some early signs of Parkinsons so would prefer to see a specialist sooner so will make some enquiries this week and book it in.
 
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