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| Frustrated?; Rant here! | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 3 2010, 08:10:41 PM (2,210 Views) | |
| CynicalCountess | Feb 3 2010, 08:10:41 PM Post #1 |
True Blue Mate
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Got something on your chest that isn't worthy of a whole thead? Let it out here! (these are always a hit on other forums, and makes people feel better) I'm  25 years old and having insane hot flashes. Dr. Google (yeah, yeah) tells me causes are epilepsy (no), ovarian cysts* (had them before), or Primary Ovarian Failure  . I can't afford the $65 it'll take to walk in the doctor's office, to say nothing of the cost of tests and ultrasounds. I'd have to pay out of pocket, then send it in to my parents' insurance company. (I wonder if a clinic at a hospital would accept my insurance and run tests without me having to pay)Meanwhile, I am going BATSHIT CRAZY because my temp jumps several degrees before bed and when I wake up in the morning. *oh, gents? when they burst, it feels like a Klingon warrior is twisting a knife in your insides. So kiss your ladies' boots for what we have to deal with. Edited by CynicalCountess, Feb 3 2010, 08:12:25 PM.
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| SanDiablo | Feb 3 2010, 08:54:54 PM Post #2 |
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True Blue Mate
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It might be tough to convince a doctor to test your thyroid, but that seems a likely candidate... |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 3 2010, 09:04:23 PM Post #3 |
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I had my thyroid tested multiple times in 2007/2008 (tired all.the.time then (let's not discuss how many blood draws I went through (yayyy, nested parentheses!!))), and they found nothing. Maybe something is wrong now. Anything on your mind, SanDiablo? |
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| SanDiablo | Feb 4 2010, 07:22:30 AM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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I'm no doctor, I just had some friends with similar symptoms (minus the ovarian cyst back drop though) and it took them a loooong time to get thyroid diagnosis. But considering it sets your metabolism, it is as likely a target as the other players in that hormone loop. Sorry, I didn't realize you don't have insurance here, but even with insurance, you typically have to share the cost or pay in advance and then get reimbursed (not a bad policy, considering the number of people in the US I know who just never pay their bills - hmm, might contribute to that crisis there....sorry off topic.) I see you are in Newtown...Are you here for Uni? You might have some sort of coverage through the school, and the clinincs there are reasonably priced. |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 4 2010, 12:06:16 PM Post #5 |
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True Blue Mate
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No, I'm here on a working holiday visa - I moved in with my partner. I just hope they'll take it, because quite frankly we can't afford to pay for tests, ultrasounds, etc, if costs are anything like in the states. The Boy just volunteered to ask if he can use his Medicare card, though. (btw, as regards to the US health crisis: I lost one of my best friends at 20, when Medicare told him "Double-lung transplant? You don't need that!" and my friend Ana's daughter was born with cancer, so of course it's a pre-existing condition.) |
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| blarg | Feb 4 2010, 02:29:14 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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They're not. I mean I'm one of the privileged that has Medicare, but before I did, it still wasn't as horrible as I was expecting. Even paying for medicare equivalent insurance here was much cheaper than I was expecting. If you specifically ask for low cost clinics, I think you might be surprised at the answer. It's certainly worth a phone call or 12. The worst that could happen would be that they say, "no" and you end up where you are currently. What have you got to lose? It might be worth it to go ahead and look at getting medicare equivalent insurance. Again, worst case scenario they tell you it's 12 million dollars a week and you end up where you are currently. Nothing to lose. |
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| TerritorianTori | Feb 4 2010, 02:47:34 PM Post #7 |
Caught between a rock and a crazy place.
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I hate to say it, but I highly doubt any GP or hospital here is going to accept your US insurance - they're just not set up for that kind of thing. Even the private practitioners (in my experience) will only let you claim on the spot if they have a special arrangement with your insurance provider. 99.9% of the time, I have to fork out in advance and file a claim. It was nice of your partner to offer his Medicare card  ... but again, I highly doubt they'll let you use it. They're pretty strict about only letting Aussie residents/citizens having access to the Medicare system.On the bright side, my mother had an experience with the local hospital back in July (she broke her foot) and says that her bill was far far less than it would've cost in the States. If you're still on your parents' insurance, would they be willing/able to front you the money for your treatment, presuming they'd get it back later on? I hope you get to the bottom of this soon! 
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 South Texas to the Northern Territory - since 2004 Spiritwalker | Jason | Ethan I'm a huge fan of... Angry Video Game Nerd | The Big Bang Theory | Doctor Who | Pet Shop Boys | Yanks Down Under ~ Americans living in Australia | |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 4 2010, 04:05:58 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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Thanks, Tori - I'll call my parents. But my US account is in the red pretty far (stupid effin' $61 "insufficient funds" charges), but maybe they can help. I don't know, but the doc today gave me paper to have some bloodwork done. |
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| lileitak | Feb 8 2010, 11:19:21 PM Post #9 |
Anklebiter
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This is slightly off topic, but whilst we're talking doctors figured I'd ask... I'm here on a 457, and I had to take out private medical insurance to get my visa. I took out the second best they have (covers everything but pregnancy I think). I managed to stock pile my birth control before leaving the US, so I'm good for a few months. However when that time comes, can I just go into a chemist or do I have to find a GP and get a script? One of the nurse practitioners at my US docs office lived in St. Kilda for a few years and she thought some might be available over the counter. I'm sure this has been covered, and I promise a did a few searches, but my internet here stinks and it crashes every time. 
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| ~kate | |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 8 2010, 11:46:18 PM Post #10 |
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True Blue Mate
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I had to go to a GP. |
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| NurseJules | Feb 9 2010, 08:12:11 AM Post #11 |
True Blue Mate
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I went to the GP through our work clinic, brought him my OC from home and he was able to find an Aussie brand that was equivalent and write me a script for a year. Still had to pay out of pocket at the chemist, but I only pay about $25 for 4 months worth of pills. Pretty good considering in the states I was paying a $10 co-pay per month. |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 9 2010, 02:27:42 PM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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Ugh! Jealous! My doc was curt and dismissive. I gave him my current pack of pills, he prescribed me Yasmin. Three months cost $90. |
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| lileitak | Feb 9 2010, 02:59:33 PM Post #13 |
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Anklebiter
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Thanks for the info; I'll start searching for a GP in the next month or so. |
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| Dev | Feb 9 2010, 06:41:58 PM Post #14 |
"No day but today."
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*cries laughing at that last bit* OMG...you are SO RIGHT! Jesus...it completely does feel like that too! Couldn't have described it better myself! As for my frustrations...well...this forum doesn't have enough bandwidth at the moment. 
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Devon ----------------------- "What a shame that bitter irony has no nutritional value." 
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| Janda | Feb 9 2010, 07:27:53 PM Post #15 |
True Blue Mate
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Before my son was on medicare here he injured his knee playing football and we had take him to ER. I thought the bill was going to cost us our arms and legs but I was shocked. We didn't have to pay them anything upfront at all. They did a complete blood work up, x-rays and sent him home with crutches and a huge leg brace and the whole nine so I thought when we got the bill it was going to be at least 500.00 or more. I almost fell over with pleasant surprise when it was only $187.00. I thought they made a mistake but nope, everything was listed. I was very happy! Maybe you should try just going to your local ER and then that way you wouldn't have to fork out any money in advance and hopefully they will just go ahead and do a work-up on you there to at least give you some idea. Oh and in the end we didn't even have to pay the entire amount at once. We just sent them a little bit along as we went and they were totally happy with that. Of course we called them and let them know our plan. We were starting the visa process for my son at the time too so we were short on cash. LOL go figure...doesn't everything normally happen all at once? Good Luck! Edited by Janda, Feb 9 2010, 07:28:35 PM.
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 "I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose" www.JandaDesigns.com.au - Custom Web Design, Web Site Hosting, Cheap Domain Name Registration. | |
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| L.A. Jen | Feb 9 2010, 08:00:03 PM Post #16 |
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I just wanted to say that you may be able to find a Doc who will take your insurance. I have 2 docs here in Sydney (that I see on a regular basis) that bill my international insurance directly. Saves me heaps of paperwork! They send in the invoices and the insurance company sends payment to them directly. Good luck Jen |
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| Hwoarang | Feb 10 2010, 10:46:28 AM Post #17 |
Yacker
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I went to Auburn Medical Center last time for blood test and I am using my gF's medicare card. I had the test for free and walk out feeling constantly happy :-) They can't take my Blue Cross Blue Shield card but they're happy to swipe someone elses medicare card and to my surprise the doctors aren't dodgy. |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 10 2010, 03:40:10 PM Post #18 |
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True Blue Mate
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^They told us we can't do that. GODDAMNIT ITUNES WTF I really, desperately want the new Celtic Thunder cd. It isn't available on the Aus itunes, so I bop over to the US store. It says "Fuck you, buddy, Australia only for you!" |
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| NurseJules | Feb 10 2010, 05:11:59 PM Post #19 |
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Change your address back to your american one. That's what I did. I download US stuff on my iTunes and Aussie on my partner's. |
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| CynicalCountess | Feb 10 2010, 05:19:40 PM Post #20 |
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I did. Then it told me "Hey, stupid, that's not a real CSC code!" when it's right there on my card. |
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