Just got a great big bill from pathology

That's an idea. They could do that. It's pretty routine for most surgeries when something is removed for pathology to be done. I think it's part of their duty of care along with having a good look while they're in there to make sure there is no other issues. That's been my experience. If you're looking at swapping HCF is really good. I've been with them since I was born. They have changed a few things that aren't claimable anymore but on the whole they are fair. The only time I've got loads of bills after being in hospital is when Bec was born but there was heaps of complications and specialists brought in (for both her and I)and she had to have x-rays and bloods in the middle of the night. You name it I got a bill from them. Got that way I was waiting on a bill from the cleaners. lol

Yeah, its just a bill i didnt need since having time off work means cash flow is tight, and I've had some other urgent maintenance issues at home as well which cost a few grand (couldn't wait). I'm now angry with NIB - Not Insured But. Damn cheapskates. I'll be dropping back to a lower level cover once this is all taken care of. Maybe change funds in protest.... dunno.

What would be good for Oclinic to do is tell people that pathology will be done in hospital and it may/may not be covered and to check with health fund. I didn't know that the pathology would be done, and especially how much it would cost.

Bugger. I thought it must have been something from the hospital as the OClinic was really up front with what we had to pay. I would have been very surprised if it was a hidden cost from them. I haven't got one so my PHI must have covered it. At least you got a bit back from medicare. Hope you are doing OK this week. I bought a Wii fit yesterday and I'm hoping I can get some exercise in this way as my foot is definitely not getting any better.

Yeah, its for the pathology done on the stomach they remove, and yes, I have to pay it. NIB is apparently well known for scrimping on the 'little things' like this to save on their costs, as some funds cover this entirely.

Got just over $100 back from medicare, and now I have to wait to see what NIB send me.

Did you ever find out what the pathology account was for and do you have to pay it?

Hi Synna,

Just a thought, maybe because it's a bill from the hospital it's something that your hospital cover wouldn't pay. Sound like it has nothing to do with the OClinic. Of course I could be wrong. Let us know when you find out. I haven't got my mail yet today but so far I have had nothing.

Josie2 I get bloods done every 3 months (not to do with my stomach) and have done for over 10 years and I have never got a bill for this. Maybe it's where your going to get the bloods done. Interesting.

The tests were

Haematology -BG HB BGA $90.00
Tissue Pathology - HIST $215.00
Accredited collection and handling - PEI $38.50

(so i presume its all for the stomach they removed)

I'm a bit pissed off because the way oclinic sells it self is one fee, once only. Dunno if this is an 'exception' because it's the hospital not the surgeon, but I feel a bit mislead.

Hi Synna,

I had the same thing. They came in over a couple of weeks. They were for blood tests whilst in Hospital and they also had sent the stomach that was removed away for tests (not sure if standard) and I did get some back from medicare and some from private health. I know they repeated one of my blood tests and medicare would not give me anythng back on the second test as they said they can only pay on that code once. WTF! I was out of pocket a couple of hundred too. Now every time I get my bloods done (3 monthly) it costs $290 and I get about $160 back from medicare and nothng from private health so I am out of pocket about $130. Those pathologists must be making a mint! On the flip side though, I am saving hundreds of $$$ a month in the amount of crap I was eating previously not to mention I feel fabulous so I reckon it is money well spent.

My pathology bill was 40 bucks

Wow Synna that's no good. I haven't got anything and they had to re-do my bloods pre op as Dr Taylor didn't get the results of the tests I had done about 4 weeks pre op at home. How many lots of bloods did they take? Was any of it post op? Let me know how you get on?

Yeah, like the title says.... I was under the impression that once I paid the clinic fee and the hospital excess then everything else was included... obviously not. I'm going to ring the clinic and find out why I've been sent this $350 bill, that I had no idea about. It says its for pathology at the hospital, and that I can get some back from medicare and PHI, but I'm still $200 out of pocket. This sucks.