serileen Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi PeopleAs you know I have to wait till June for my dental appointment made in January.I am sitting here watching A Current Affair and i am in total shock.Medicare does not cover Dental and there are people waiting for 13yrs already to get their teeth sorted out. One man in NSW has to sell his house so that he can pay his $8000 dollar dental bill after waiting for a couple of years already.So please everybody sort your teeth out before you get here , we might not have lots in South Africa , but at least we can walk into a dentist at anytime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SASydneysider Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 I agree all the way with Serileen!!Even if you have private health care cover, they do not cover dentistry for nearly as much as our medical aids did in South Africa.I have just paid $1300 for ONE root canal treatment on ONE tooth! The sad part is, my problem is still not solved as the dentist is unable to get to the last remaining nerve.I had to go and see an endodontist which is a specialist that specialises in root canals. Just to see this person for 10 minutes cost me $165. At this consultation he told me what should be done and gave me a quote for $1650!! This is over and above what I've already paid the dentist ($1300).This means, if I have all of this done, I would have paid $1300 plus $165 plus $1650 for ONE tooth and then the chances are still that I could lose this tooth!For now, I won't have done what the endodontist has suggested. I'll just live with my tooth and if it becomes unbearable, I'll have it extracted. Unfortunately, it is the last molar I have on the top left side! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippa Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi,Thank you for the advice!!! I have braces at the moment, but my medical aid is covering all the costs. Very lucky that I am still in SA!!! Do you also wait so long for a dental appointment if you have private medical insurance?Good luck and look after your teeth!Pippa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Seoul Sister Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi there, This doesn't sound good at all !!I am wondering the same thing as Pippa - Do you have the same problems in NSW if you have private medical ?LoveSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chatterbug Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 (edited) I must say I won't always believe (or like) those one-sided programs like "a current affair" with their unique take on "journalism". I fear we only really hear the one side of the story even if they supposedly ask the view of the "guilty party" or "perpetrator". Feels like watching the TV version of the "huisgenoot" and a dash of "people's magazine".Anyway, has anybody on this forum had to wait so long for Dental care? I must say my wife and I don't use the medical system much over here (yet!). But in my experience it is quite complicated to understand in relation to the payment structure for procedures etc. It is very difficult for example to understand what % the pvt medical covers because it seems different for each procedure/item code. I'm sure the medical providers understand but from a customer perspective (especially if you are a immigrant and new to the system) it seems just too hard! I must say our medical in RSA, although more expensive, covered much, much more and it was much simpler to understand - for me that is! It doesn't seem that I can buy private medical over here with the same level of cover than I had in RSA.There are however some aspects that I do like (like the fact that there is a medicare system), and getting your money back from medicare is a breeze. But I must say it is far from "free medical" as it is sometimes portrayed to people outside of Australia. It probably does stack up well to any other healthcare system in the world, however.Anyway now that I have that out of my system.....???? SASydneysider your story has just put me off my planned dental check up. I'll think i'll leave it for a while..... Edited March 29, 2006 by chatterbug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serileen Posted March 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 ChatterbugI am in Mackay , Queensland and I suffered severe pain in January and was told to see a GP for antibiotics ....first appointment.....June.And yes everybody I am on private health care as we are here on a 457 visa.In anycase Medicare does not cover dental.And you are so right these people have a long way to go with regards to private health funds .Maybe in some ways being a third world country bnefitted SA...WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATE HEALTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riekie Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 We have private medical and I've never had to wait for a dental appointment. I broke my tooth one day while eating popcorn and when I phoned, they helped me immediately. Even for other "normal" appointments, it's only a few days wait if it is not an emergency. I know that people on Medicare often complain about long periods of wait, not only for dental, but surgery etc. Fortunately we haven't had the same experience.Our medical pays 80% of dental, but because it is so expensive, we still have to pay quite a lot out of pocket. An Inlay (a white filling) costs $650 of which we had to pay $130. I agree that dental costs in Australia are really over the top, so if you can, get everything fixed up in RSA before you come over!!I also agree - from experience - that health funds in Australia still has a long way to go to even get close to what we had in RSA. We were on Discovery and I tell you, there's nothing here even remotely close to that. Does not matter which private medical you have here, you'll still pay through your teeth (he-he, pardon the pun!!) Serileen, I can not understand that being on private health, you still have to wait that long? Is there a shortage of dentists? When you made the appointment, did you tell them you're on private medical only? That seems to make a lot of difference - I've discovered. When you mention you're not on medicare, suddenly you get an appointment straight away (and with that, the cost rises considerably!!) It's just terrible that you have to wait that long!!I've enquired with the government health dept about doctors increasing your treatment cost when you're not on medicare and the reply was that there is no maximum a doctor can charge!! Medicare only pays scheduled rates for treatment and that's why most doctors stay within - or close - to these rates, but some specialist go all the way to Saturn!! Nothing you can do about it (so, BEFORE you visit a doctor - ask for a quote for private medical - I had a very nasty surprise once where the amount basically doubled from what I was quoted over the phone to what I had to pay when they realised I was not on medicare!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnetjie Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 (edited) I see the dental hygienist once every three months and the dentist once every six months I have never had a problem making a booking I was referred from my SA dentist in OZ about 5 years ago to the current practice in the city I attend. Been very happy with their service. I never have a problem getting an appointment. I know of a number of Ex –South Africans that see the same dentist. The lady I see is really good she is an Ozzie Doc. Medicare does not cover your dental care. I personally think the dentist I attend is really reasonably priced. I can’t remember what dental care use to cost in SA. I have private medical aid through Medibank Private http://www.medibank.com.au/ since I have been in the country and that has been a very long time. Their service is excellent. Edited March 29, 2006 by sonnetjie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SASydneysider Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 I don't have private health care and I have never experienced having to wait for an appointment like Serileen. The biggest problem I have is the cost!Riekie, I want to know more about your private health care that covers 80% of the cost!! Is there a cap on the amount? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mara Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 I did a search on www.yellowpages.com.au, typed in dentist and Mackay and the list below is what came up. I would hate to think that Serileen is having to wait because somebody made a blunder and think she is on Medicare instead of a private medical insurance. I don't know what the history is Serileen, but perhaps you can try them again or one of those below and stress to them that you are a private patient, on private medical insurance. If you have already done so, I really cannot for one moment understand why you have to wait until June! If this has helped, great! If not, sorry, I do not want to step on any toes.Al RobinsSuncorp Building 123 Victoria St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 7327Buchhorn William JCnr Gordon & Nelson Sts Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 2422Coey John RMount Pleasant Plaza Phillip St North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Coey J. R.Mt Pleasant Plaza North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Craig, KerryCnr Gordon & Nelson Sts Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 2422Craig, Nice & BuchhornCnr Gordon & Nelson Sts Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 2422Dalton SueSuite 3/ 21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4953 1577Deane P TMt Pleasant Plaza North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Deane PT, Coey JR, Stuart JC & Pearson SJMt Pleasant Plaza North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Deane PT, Coey JR, Stuart JC & Pearson SJMt Pleasant Plaza Phillip St North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 1707Dental ClinicsBridge Rd Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4968 6444Lange Paul21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 3902Lange Paul & Minnaar Walter21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 3902Maher BernieSuite 3/ 21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4953 1577Maher Bernie21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4953 1630McCowan PeterLevel 1, Day & Night Pharmacy Building, 67-69 Sydney St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 2374Minnaar Walter21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 3902Monckton Peter J2nd Floor, AMP Building 56 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 4100Moroney D J Dental Surgeon50 Nelson St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 1751Nice Geoffrey ACnr Gordon & Nelson Sts Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 24221300 Smiles52 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: 1300 764 537Parker Max29 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 6145Pearson SJMt Pleasant Plz North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Pioneer Dental GroupLevel 1, Day & Night Pharmacy Building, 67-69 Sydney St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4957 2374Rosemarie Kirkland Pty Ltd52 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4953 5804Stuart J.C.Mt Pleasant Plaza North Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4942 3272Walker Orthodontics21 Gordon St Mackay QLD 4740ph: (07) 4951 2500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Medicare is a "no frills" public health service, which provides for free tratment in a public hospital and covers up to 80% of a G.P.'s or specialist's fees.It is not an "all inclusive" scheme . . . . it doesn't cover teeth, glasses, physiotherapy, etc.If it's a life threatening emergency, such as a heart attack or car crash, you are treated immediately to save your life.If it's not life threatening and you are able to wait, you will be placed in a queue to get surgery done for free at a public hospital.Some people have to wait months to get seen to, others only a few days, depending on the operation and which public hospital has the surgical team available to treat you.This is why Private health insurance is invaluable.It allows treatment to be performed immediately . . . or that week . . . for an operation that is needed to keep you functioning well.Also, "extras" which aren't covered by Medicare, such as teeth, glasses, physiotherapy, speech therapy, chiropractic, etc. can be insured for.I have insurance cover with a private health insurer called "Medical Benefits Fund". It is a "not for profit" insurance company that has no shareholders and returns any profits back to its members in the form of lower premiums, etc.When you sign up for insurance cover, do your homework!Ask them what level of cover they give for teeth work.Ask them if there are any dentists with a special arrangement with the health in usrance company that allows you to get all your dental treatment done for a fixed price.I know of a mate who gets all his dental treatment done and pays nothing. His private health insurer has a special deal with some dentists in Adelaide that allowed him to get all his fillings, etc. done and the health insurer paid the bill, leaving him free of costs.So . . . do your homework.Check up on your health insurer.Check up on any special "sweet-heart" deals that your insurer may have with any dentist in your area.Same goes for chiropractors, physiotherapists, opticians, etc. etc.Ring up your private health insurer and check FIRST.After treatment, it's a bit late and YOU pay the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zappa Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 thansk bob again for your useful info, i'm looking at signing up today for a health insurance scheme and will certainly look into who you with!i've found the health system beter here than in sa although i had very good health cover as a perk but i was esentailly paying for it anyway in sa as it was part of my packagethe public health system here can't even compare to sa's which is essentaully free and visits to private doctors and specialists and prescribtions are heavly subsidised by the state. for non-lifethreating medical attention, if think having some sort of private cover is very important, especially cosidering the state gives you a 30% rebate on your contributions to a prive health scheme! just you need to choice the right one as there are more choices, compaies, options here than the good Lord has sheep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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