Is this a rort or just good customer service
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325798)
Rockingham, Australia
December 8, 2018 7:44am CST
As pensioners in Australia, Vince and I are entitled to some discounts here and there, especially in the field of health. Our glasses are subsidised as will be our hearing aids. Mammograms and Pap smears – they’re just for me – are free and this is where I wonder whether a few rorts may not be occurring.
I received a letter reminding me of the need for a Pap smear. At the end of the letter it said I should see the doctor a week AFTER the test to discuss the results. This of course doesn’t cost me anything but does allow the practice to charge the government for my visit. If there isn’t anything untoward, why do I need to see the doctor for this follow-up visit? Lately I seem to be getting more and more suspicious of some business practices.
The photo is of a grass tree near here that needs a bit of help staying upright.
20 people like this
20 responses
@arunima25 (85315)
• Bangalore, India
8 Dec 18
The grass tree ( I heard it for first time) really needs help. Since you have paid your taxes through out life, you have all rights to get these services now as they come from tax payers money.
It is so good that your country has such services for elderly.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 18
The grass tree was always known as a 'blackboy' but of course that is no longer politically correct so it is now a grass tree. I've written more about it here:
On our way home from the Australia Day celebrations we stopped so Vince could take this photo of a Xanthorrhoeaceae or grasstree. The old name of blackboy is no...
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85315)
• Bangalore, India
9 Dec 18
@JudyEv Interesting post. Thanks for sharing. You have so many flora and fauna exclusive to Australia. It's amazing.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95189)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Dec 18
I think most things are just a way to get money from someone.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95189)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Dec 18
@JudyEv If everything is fine it would be to me too.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
8 Dec 18
Ohhh.. but the money came from the taxpayer's money so it means that you and your husband paid for it somehow. am I correct?
2 people like this
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
9 Dec 18
@JudyEv it is better than ours, we give taxes to the government and we pay our own health services. we have terrible traffic jam … so annoying
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Dec 18
@Mavic123456 We found the traffic in Thailand chaotic but that was years ago.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
8 Dec 18
Would the tree just snap without assistance?
3 people like this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
8 Dec 18
This is one of the fundamental problems with subsidized healthcare of any sort. It's a big money grab, and invariably it makes the ultimate cost of the healthcare more expensive since there is no real competition...and well, we all know it isn't really free after all. All government money is are collected taxes.
2 people like this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
10 Dec 18
@JudyEv No argument there. When it's not directly out of pocket, you just feel like you've gotten away with something. But that's the beauty of taxes. The way they collect them, you never truly feel it. Well, unless you wind up owing at the end of the year. That being said, not sure if they do taxes in Australia the same way they do here in the U.S.
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (35103)
• United States
9 Dec 18
They do that here, just keep you going to the doctor.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
8 Dec 18
Our coconut trees do that searching for the sun. One is almost on the roof of Solitaire
"Mammograms and Pap smears – they’re just for me " good you clarified (lol)
You are right there They should call you up and only ask that you see a doctor if all is not well.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73444)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Dec 18
Interesting tree. I too do not understand the need for a follow-up visit if everything is alright. I remember way back when I lived in NYC after the usual visit they just sent me a copy with the results and basically said all OK see you next time.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Dec 18
Seems silly to see the doc for follow up if there is no reason.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29242)
• Eugene, Oregon
9 Dec 18
@JudyEv No, we have the same problem.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
9 Dec 18
Health care aervices in your country is good, especially for the elders, there is also such kind of health programs here but some seniors feel its lacking.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 18
I tend to use some photos over and over as I like them so much. It's great that myLot gives me the chance to show them.
@Hate2Iron (15730)
• Canada
8 Dec 18
You do have some unique vegetation in Australia. I have never heard of a grass tree. And, I also wonder about healthcare rules every so often... when they don't seem to make sense!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 18
It was always known as a 'blackboy' but that is no longer PC so it's become a grass tree.
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
8 Dec 18
I rarely go to the doctor. I definitely think all of the follow up visits are mostly about money.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 18
I don't often go either but I do have these sorts of tests.
@JudyEv (325798)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Dec 18
That sounds expensive. I went for the cheapest frames I could get.
But thats good you get the discount of service.