Thank you taxpayers

What is even scarier about that is that the Lawyer put this up as a legitimate reason!

Did you know that a drug overdose patient gets free ambulance to hospital regardless of location, whereas a person suffering a heart attack or stroke, for instance, gets a bill for amounts up to $1000 for transport!

 

Don't think thats right either. But I can see how such a thing comes about. Someone suffering a heart attack or stroke isn't going to refuse an ambulance but I have seen lots of overdose cases refusing treatment. Probably better to get them in the 'system' than not??

 

It has been well documented in South Australia.

 

Prospector I'm not saying that I don't believe you or that it is not true. I'm saying that I don't thing its right that one emergency is not charged.

 

Bollocks. Depends on what level of health insurance you have.

 

hello,

hammer addicts typically get the free treatment because they have Health Care Card,

but the guy who has paid his taxes for 20-30 yrs gets the invoice, what a farce

may be doing it a bit tough and hasnt got ambulance subscription but a little bit of savings so doesnt get health care card and presto the government sends the bill their way

thankyou

robots

 

FTR, when I was a victim of assualt, I was on a Health Care Card, and was presented with a bill.

 

hello,

my friend just recently (4 mths) collapsed and was taken to alfred by ambulance, had health care card and received no bill

was doing all-nighter computers games

thankyou

robots

 

Well, there you go. Different rules for different states

 

Queensland did away with the Ambo subscription and has put a charge in the electricity account to pay for everyone's right to use. It caused a stink at first, but it's just the way it is now.

Funny that my private health charges me for it as well.

 

If you don't have health Insurance you get the bill. Obviously it comes as a surprise to you that people don't have health Insurance. So bollocks yourself!

Even if you have health Insurance then you will still get the bill but may be able to get the Health Fund to pay.

 

Nope, I'm more than aware that not everyone has health insurance.

As I said, depends on the level. No insurance is a level of insurance cover, is it not?

 

You should check, if you a Qld resident your Health fund may not include an ambulance component. When I shifted from Qld to NSW my Medibank Private charge was increased to include Ambulance which was not charged while I had a Queensland address.

 

Prospector, Would that be (maybe) because an addict is likely to be (or possibly) on a disability pension and pensioners get free ambulance?
(just thinking aloud)

 

Yes I did check. This was years back though. It might have changed. (I just have it "auto paid" now like Foxtel ). The reason given to me back then was to pay for any ambo service outside QLD if I needed it. And because I commuted between WA and QLD then, it really was not a bother. Now other than an AGM or to visit a friend do I venture to WA. But, apparently, I'm covered.

I'm happy with the price I pay. Peace of mind really.

Have heard stories of ambos being abused in the line of duty. Have to wonder what people's thought process is when going down that track?

 

My sister in law works in Casualty at a large public hospital in Adelaide as Triage. She is in a senior position. The staff are regularly abused and some assaulted. It is just the way it is, sadly. Not everyone wants to be helped. And then there are those with mental issues (who arent properly cared for in the community) and then there are those high on whatever their last drug was.

2020 - I am not sure that it was because of the disability pension - I think maybe even pensioners would have to pay the ambo bill unless they were insured for it. My mum is on the aged pension but still has ambulance cover.

 

Unfortunately having an attitude of "It's just the way it is" ensures that this will continue. I've spent considerable time in dealing with violence in the health industry, and it is a tough issue. Issues such as overcrowding, understaffing, security, design etc etc all play a role. The best thing staff can do is to continue to report such incidents and not accept it as just the way things are.

 

Would be great if violent patients could be banned for life from mainstream health care system.

Tough, but down the track, chances are that some respect or at least fear of being rejected might reduce number of attacks.

But not possible in Australia.