Can doctors tell if a health care card has expired?

CryssieJade on 19/08/2014 - 19:35

Hi all,

Heading in for an MRI tomorrow. With a Centrelink health care card, it's free. I still have the card, but it was officially canceled last week.

Do doctors have a way of telling if its actually expired or not?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Belistic on 19/08/2014 - 19:55
    +6

    Most medical centres are all online, they'll know it's expired…. From my knowledge anyways…

  • blitz on 19/08/2014 - 20:19
    +8

    Card validation is done online. They do this because there are so many people trying to rort the system.

  • p1 ama on 19/08/2014 - 20:34
    +2

    You should note that if you're purposefully rorting and you get found out, they'll not only make you pay the amount back, but you could actually get yourself in legal trouble.

    Of course, you're not going to be put in jail or anything, but if they find you asking this and prove that you're purposefully misusing your expired card, you could possibly get a criminal record and you'll find it hard to get a job…etc.

    Perhaps a bitter pill to swallow, but unfortunately, that's the right thing to do. Get private health insurance, that's always an option if you feel that you'll be sick in the future.

  • PVA on 19/08/2014 - 20:37
    +1

    shop around for the MRI, they vary in price.

  • CryssieJade on 19/08/2014 - 21:23

    Thanks guys, good to know all this :)
    I am still eligible for a card, I just haven't filled in my new forms yet. Will cancel my appointment tomorrow, and wait till I have my new card!!

    • Hipmumma on 19/08/2014 - 21:50

      If your still eligible it should be fine! It will be the same number on it I'm pretty sure…. It would be worth explaining the situation to them over the phone before cancelling

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2014 - 21:25
    +4

    On a lighter note, and beyond a scan of your card or your hip-pocket, if they're going to give your brain an MRI scan, please do ask them - for science - to do a functional one so as to pinpoint your bargain-seeking region.

    Think about jv naked and holding a cheap McFlurry and let's see what lights up.

    All the best, CryssieJade.

    • CryssieJade on 20/08/2014 - 09:41

      I would but a brain MRI costs too much :p

  • nowlan on 19/08/2014 - 21:42

    Is it not just bulk billed to medicare?

    • [Deactivated] on 20/08/2014 - 07:19

      Depends what the MRI is for. Some are covered, others are not.

    • CryssieJade on 20/08/2014 - 09:44

      Its a knee MRI, which is bulk billed. But not at the country hospital I was headed to (its closest to where I live now).

      Its not a matter of urgency, so I can wait until I move back to Melbourne in 6 weeks time. ACL rupture :(

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