I think if the GP refers you then we have to pay, but if a Consultant refers you it is free, I am not 100% sure but husband had one some time ago and I am sure he didn't pay.  Worth checking up on that.

 

But I agree that these days I feel when we reach 70 we are too much of a burden on society, my late father used to say that also.

It ll depends on if the MRI machine used was registered for free knee MRIs. I have regular MRIs and have to find out which machine is registered with Medicare for free scans. 

 

Was it ever free? I was quoted $750 upfront cost on a specialist referral.

 

Found this online. It seems it changed as from 1 November 2018. It obviously pays to not just go with what your GP says but to put the question to Google so that you get the most updated information. GP's just know the services/tests you need.  They are not interested in discussing who is going to pay for those services so do your own research and find out the cheapest way to go about whatever you need.

Changes to Medicare Funded Knee Imaging Services

 Page last updated: 30 October 2018

http://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-KneeImaging

saw an article that read that you now must go to a specialist to get an mri to SAVE costs but you have to go to a dr first then an appointment with a specialist who then say you need an mri and then go back to the specialist to find out what the gp knew in the first place, hardly any cost saving to the patient.

 

Oh boy have we had a 24 hours; husband saw the specialist yesterday at 10am, has to have some testing in hospital, secretary of specialist tells husband to phone this number if you have not heard back from the Hospital as she will send them a FAX with the referral.  He didn't hear back as of yesterday at 4pm. So he phones the number the secretary gave him, it is a fax number!

So then he goes and phones the hospitals' number that he was not given, they have not received any fax from the doctors office don't know anything about it.  Then he phones Western Diagnostics who the doctor works with, they are closed at 4pm.

This is all urgent mind you, the last appointment the specialist had before he goes away on a holiday.

Phones another number and no reply.

So leaves messages all over the place!

Told husband to phone the Manager of the GPs surgery so she can sort it out, but oh no he wants to plod along.

 

Phone rings at 10 am this morning the hospital doesn't know what is going on!  Talk about the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.

I am getting a bit nervous as to how to rely on this Doctor now as his staff seem a bit muddled.

Never experienced anything like this before hope we shall never again.

I always remember what my late father said,  'once you get to  70 the doctors don't care'  Think there is something in that.