I consulted a neuro surgeon due to an accident. In early August. The consultation cost $276 and he recommended a neck collar brace for $550. Is it normal for Doctor to sell neck collar? The amount is exorbitant. I didn’t know the cost till I had to pay at counter.
Can Australia Medical Practitioner Sell Neck Collar for $550?
Myone888 on 16/08/2018 - 11:49
Last edited 16/08/2018 - 12:20 by 1 other user
Last edited 16/08/2018 - 12:20 by 1 other user
Comments
no, they have the ones that have a plastic frame, and a portion that goes on your chest to prevent you from moving downwards. Also supports your chin well. All of this has replaceable foam inner linings
For the brands they have, yes
I would imagine the collar was a lot more suitable for daily wear than the temporary collars!
He could sell one for ten times more.
If you agree to buy it at that price, what's the problem?
curious why docs can't sell meds
Potential conflict of interest and lack of safety redundancies.
If doctors profited of medications, they will end up over prescribing.
If doctors dispense the medication, there is no second line of checks to ensure it is the right medication, dosage, frequency and interactions.
conflict of interest
You realise that doctors and pharma companies make less money if you get better right?
You didn't HAVE to pay at the counter. They offered you a product suitable for your needs. You chose to buy it without any research.
Did the secretary when you booked the appointment not tell you that the consultation would cost $276? It is perfectly legal for the doctor to sell collars but not ethical and probably not legal for him to force you to buy it from him.
Why would it not be ethical to sell medical aids to do with his profession? If he was selling supplements or essential oils I’d agree with you. But a neurosurgeon selling neck braces, an Orthopaedic surgeon selling splints, an optometrist selling contact lenses all make sense. Should someone totally unqualified be selling these things instead? If these things need fitting correctly you want the expert on site to do so.
If he demanded the patient buy his device or aid and not let him shop around that would be unethical. If he insisted only his product would work or he couldn’t find the same thing elsewhere that would be unethical.
Receptionist: "Shake your head if you disagree with the price"
OP: …OP might want to talk to a psychiatrist, about how he feels after being ripped off by a neurosurgeon.
Is it normal for Doctor to sell neck collar?
Name and shame.
The only thing I can say in defense of the doctor is that in a large practice the prices might be set by a 'practice manager' and sometimes the practices are owned by big corporations, so the OP might've been ripped off by a big conglomorate, rather than a doctor.
Shame them for what? Selling the OP a product at the agreed price? Not the doctors fault the OP didn't say no once they were told how much it would cost.
The neurologist has recommended OP stabilise his/her cervical spine and recommended a neck brace to help with that. Did he force OP to purchase that specific brace? no. OP could have refused to pay at the counter and ask the neurologist if there are any cheaper alternatives.
My mechanic asks $40 for a $8 wiper refill.
My plumber wants $700 for a pump I can get for $300 myself.
My electrician charges $40 for a $10 part.They can charge whatever. I can say no, get it myself, or find someone else.
This reminds me of that “They told me beforehand that lamb meat was extra, I didn’t say anything, just paid and ate. Can they legally do it?” post.
Anywho, for this post, short answer is Yes.
Long answer is
Yes, they can sell it at whatever price they want. Unless the recpentionist had a gun on you and demanded that you buy it, you didn’t have to buy it.That may be a breach of conduct.
The gun cannot be reasonably sanitized between patients and increases the spread of infection.
While you may have been overcharged you are also complicit being an adult with the ability to say "no".
I guess you are stat the obvious. I was a patient in need of medical attention not get scalp!
Maybe go to another doctor next time if you don't like this one?
But no, your current (or previous) doctor isn't doing anything illegal.
Bubble wrap and packing tape.
Thank you for waiting. Dr Officeworks is ready to see you now.
If the treatment was due to an accident, won't someone else be paying for it anyway?
what makes you think that 550 isn't standard price range for what you bought?
my neuro doesn't sell items but my physio does. and my old physio and chiropractor did. I'm sure they got a cut just like any retailer.
$280 for a neuro sounds about right and is utterly irrelevant to your issue
Sounds like you saw the doctor privately in his rooms. Private consultations can be expensive but you should be able to claim some of it back through Medicare. Same with the neck brace through private health insurance if you have it. It doesn’t sound like an exorbitant fee to see a private neurosurgeon though. I work for an Orthopaedic surgeon and he offers casting, moon boots, splints etc in his rooms. Standard mark up on cost price is 3x for each item to retail price. It partly covers the cost of paying for his practice nurse/ cast technician to fit and manufacture these things. He also has to pay for room hire, secretary, it, etc. it’s a business and they need to cover costs and make a living.
Collar does seem quite dear… but does the cost include a fitting fee?
As someone who's dealt with these adjustable collars before, it's a b*tch to get right if you're not familiar with it… either it's not supporting correctly, too loose, or super uncomfortable for the patient (sometimes all 3 at once!).
But as other have said, there shouldn't be any obligation for you to buy from him. Physios should also be able to fit these collars.
Just the sponge foam jobbie?