Is there anything else that can happen to me?

[JohnK]

it is really good news that at least this is falling into place for you. Maybe this is the start of a turn in your fortunes.

I wish I could believe that Bill but there are still a number of issues to take care of once I manage to get back on my feet.

 

[kpc]

I'm glad you are covered for the ambulance trips.....however, I have been reliably told that ambulance services do NOT take anyone to court over unpaid bills...and they still have to come the next time if needed....:shock::!:

 

[straitman]

I'm glad you are covered for the ambulance trips.....however, I have been reliably told that ambulance services do NOT take anyone to court over unpaid bills...and they still have to come the next time if needed....:shock::!:

As in this case, I have seen them give quite a few people some nasty shocks over the years.

 

[JohnK]

I'm glad you are covered for the ambulance trips.....however, I have been reliably told that ambulance services do NOT take anyone to court over unpaid bills...and they still have to come the next time if needed....:shock::!:

It is not that I was not going to pay the bill(s) more the shock at the cost of the bill(s). Personally I feel >$900 for an ambulance trip is way over the top.

Perhaps others feel the cost is justified.

 

[kpc]

It is not that I was not going to pay the bill(s) more the shock at the cost of the bill(s). Personally I feel >$900 for an ambulance trip is way over the top.

Perhaps others feel the cost is justified.

The last time I looked (a no. of years ago), it was more than $500 in NSW....Kudos for you but I know many of my patients just don't pay...!

 

[anat0l]

I'm not sure if the QAS can refer unpaid bills to SPER. That might discourage non-payers.

 

[Heleigh]

JohnK I wish you a quick recovery and just try to keep thinking positive and good thing will follow.

We have all been in bad situations (Mine for nearly six years) only just come out of it and every thing is great, and still being positive.

You will get there.

Helen

 

[nlagalle]

John,

Like everyone here I wish you all the best for a speedy recovery.

Hopefully we can catch up in a lounge in the not too distant future!

Nick

 

[RB]

John maybe you have already looked at it but- have you considered that maybe there could be some credit card insurance that you may be eligible for that would cover your trip cancellation fees?

 

[markis10]

It is not that I was not going to pay the bill(s) more the shock at the cost of the bill(s). Personally I feel >$900 for an ambulance trip is way over the top.

Perhaps others feel the cost is justified.

Some are trying to get value out of their levy, I know a few ambo drivers and they average a couple of calls a week where the "patient" asks to be dropped off at the shops as they are feeling better . On the flip side tonight on the news they had a segment on some new ambo initiatives, it annoyed the heck out of me to see some folks in the valley crossing the road in front of an ambulance with its lights going that was trying to get through, no way I could do that job, I would be on the gurney in the first week with a stress attack at the stupidity of people.

 

[Flashback]

Some are trying to get value out of their levy, I know a few ambo drivers and they average a couple of calls a week where the "patient" asks to be dropped off at the shops as they are felling better .

What a waste of resources! I sincerely hope that the one time those people do need an Ambulance for a life threatening reason, it's not available :evil::evil::evil:

The boy who cried wolf comes to mind :!:

 

[thewinchester]

Good heavens JohnK, best wishes for a much speedier recovery.

And I know what you mean on ambulance bill shock. Had to use one myself after being assaulted, and thought I was up for the full cost ($700) after speaking to my health insurer.

Due to the way St Johns work here, the bill was sent direct to my health insurer, and they paid out the full invoice. The first I knew of this was the claim receipt which arrived in my mailbox three weeks later.

 

[straitman]

I do not recall the exact numbers but the $700 & $900 bills you are talking about seem quite cheap compared to the ones our family has seen a couple of times in the last few years.

 

[oz_mark]

A stock standard home to hospital ride in a Melbourne ambulance will cost $900+.

The claims process through Medibank is a PITA. Wait for the invoice, take it to Medibank. Medibank send you a cheque. Send that cheque to the ambulance folk.

 

[Flashback]

A stock standard home to hospital ride in a Melbourne ambulance will cost $900+.

The claims process through Medibank is a PITA. Wait for the invoice, take it to Medibank. Medibank send you a cheque. Send that cheque to the ambulance folk.

Interesting. With HBF, so long as you can give them your member number before the bill is generated then all you receive is a notication from HBF that the bill has been paid

In the off-chance you do receive the invoice you simply call them up with the details and they sort it all out.

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting. With HBF, so long as you can give them your member number before the bill is generated then all you receive is a notication from HBF that the bill has been paid

TBH, I found the process quite archaic. I am more used to just giving the number, maybe sign something, and it all happens.

 

[Alanslegal]

All the best John, be positive, stay strong and you will get there. Things don't stay bad for long, so you'll be back to great in no time. Good luck mate.

 

[k_sheep]

Get well soon JohnK! Chickenpox in adulthood is indeed nasty; even without the methotrexate!

 

[JohnK]

John maybe you have already looked at it but- have you considered that maybe there could be some credit card insurance that you may be eligible for that would cover your trip cancellation fees?

Yes looked at it and it is not worth the time to fill out the paperwork.

Due to the complexity of my bookings when going to SE Asia there was only 1 booking that was paid using Amex Qantas Premium card which has travel insurance. The excess is $250 whilst the cancellation fee is $300 so only saving of $50 and going through the hassle of filling out forms and waiting for the claim.

Get well soon JohnK! Chickenpox in adulthood is indeed nasty; even without the methotrexate!

You don't realise just how nasty until you start talking to others with the same experience. My dad was speaking to a few friends today and one is in his late sixties and had chicken pox 5 years ago and he has still not recovered from all the post virus aches and pains. The other who is also in his late sixties had shingles ~12 months ago and he is in the same situation.

Not good at all....

 

[Nigelinoz]

A few days before she passed away recently my mother was taken by air ambulance from ABX to Essendon,then via road ambulance to the Austin hospital,a few weeks after she died I received a bill for the two trips -$6500.00!
fortunately she was receiving a pension so a phone call to Ambulance Victoria quickly sorted the thing out but I must admit to being a bit taken aback by the bill when I first opened the letter.