I need to know....

[woodublieve12]

just wondering if Wallaroo is a good place to visit for a weekend? Just thinking of a quick weekend getaway with the wife and kids...

[Spargo]

just wondering if Wallaroo is a good place to visit for a weekend? Just thinking of a quick weekend getaway with the wife and kids...

Top spot - do it.

[bennymacca]

Moonta bay is also good

[tipper]

Moonta bay is also good

Moonta council have just recently opened a "water park" next to the caravan park too. free entry and just has a few slides etc for the kids from what i can gather, but looks like it would be fun. dont know that i would go to moonta just for that though, but would definitely check it out if i was in the area.

[bennymacca]

Moonta bay is also good

Moonta council have just recently opened a "water park" next to the caravan park too. free entry and just has a few slides etc for the kids from what i can gather, but looks like it would be fun. dont know that i would go to moonta just for that though, but would definitely check it out if i was in the area.

went up there with the brother in law and his family, including 4 year old nephew new years eve, and it looked great, though it was packed so we didnt go in there. as you say, probably not a reason to go there, but if you are randomly choosing a place it might be worth checking it out

[RustyCage]

When I go to the docs I get posted out a cheque a few weeks later. What am I supposed to do with that? Take it to the docs?

[Psyber]

When I go to the docs I get posted out a cheque a few weeks later. What am I supposed to do with that? Take it to the docs?

If it is made out to the doc yes drop it in or post it.
If it is made out to you bank it.

If you have paid in full it will be your Medicare refund and made out to you.
If you have paid only the gap the cheque will be made out to the doc, but Medicare will not post a cheque directly to him unless it is for bulk-billing.
But they will send a duplicate to him if is not deposited within 3 months.
(This bizarre piece of expensive behaviour is based on past government's trying to push GP's into bulk-billing everyone.)

It would be simpler for everyone if the system allowed the GP to be paid the Medicare component directly and bill the patient only for any gap, based on their ability to pay, but they have never trusted doctors to make this assessment.

[RustyCage]

Thanks Psyber, that's what I was thinking

[dedja]

It would be simpler for everyone if the system allowed the GP to be paid the Medicare component directly and bill the patient only for any gap, based on their ability to pay, but they have never trusted doctors to make this assessment.

Isn't that what HICAPS does?

[Psyber]

It would be simpler for everyone if the system allowed the GP to be paid the Medicare component directly and bill the patient only for any gap, based on their ability to pay, but they have never trusted doctors to make this assessment.

Isn't that what HICAPS does?

It doesn't apply to outpatient medical bills, and is only operative in medicine for inpatient care when the private health fund is involved.
Private health funds are currently not allowed to contribute to outpatient medical care - that was last allowed under Malcolm Fraser.

Then, Medicare payed the basic 75% of the government's "Schedule Fee", private health fund topped up to the "Schedule Fee" level and if charged more the patient paid the rest. (In those days - the late 1970s - the "Schedule Fee" was only $5 to $10 less than the AMA recommended fee, but the "Schedule Fee" has only risen by about 60% of inflation each year over the last 40 years blowing out the gap hugely.)

https://www.yellowpages.com.au/articles ... 08n00f0126

HICAPS stands for Health Industry Claims and Payments Service. It is an electronic, instant claims and payments service. HICAPS covers most private health funds in Australia and a large number of healthcare professionals such as dentists, physiotherapists, optometrists, psychologists, chiropractors, osteopaths, podiatrists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, remedial massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths etc. You will need to be in a private health fund to be eligible to claim with HICAPS.
Difference between HICAPS and Medicare

With a Medicare card, the government pays for all or most of the fees charged by your doctor or public hospital, depending on the services provided. If you have private health insurance, then a similar system is available whereby other healthcare professionals take your private health fund card and process your claim for you there and then. This is called HICAPS.

[dedja]

Yep, forgot that it was tied to private health insurance, thanks for clarifying.

Agree that Medicare is unnecessarily bureaucratic and there would be significant savings in streamlining the way payments are processed.

This is true for many government agencies, the Federal Government in particular. The general problem is that their IT systems are grossly inefficient, but the costs in upgrading them are prohibitive.

[bennymacca]

At least you can now sign up to get the refund paid directly into your bank account.

[Lightning McQueen]

just wondering if Wallaroo is a good place to visit for a weekend? Just thinking of a quick weekend getaway with the wife and kids...

Go to the wood oven pizza place, highly recommended.

[Johno6]

Blakey..... has he ever said anything funny on the radio?


As soon as I hear him trying to be funny I have to change the station.

[shoe boy]

If God was a politician or a general manager would he be re elected or sacked?

[tipper]

neither, cant re elect or sack someone that doesnt exist....

[Pseudo]

But Santa has a sack...

[Booney]

If God was a politician or a general manager would he be re elected or sacked?

I don't know. Is there a Governor General or a Board of Directors for him to answer to?

[tipper]

or her sir Boon. equal opportunity and all that. also shoe boy didnt specify which God he was referring to. Christian, Bhuddist, Pastafarian or one of the many egyptian variety, many of whome were female (apologies to any imaginary dieties that i may have missed)

[Footy Chick]