Ultrasound scan

fits

How much do these normally cost?

My doctor suggested I get one and when I mentioned I had private health insurance, referred me to the Beacon Hospital. They rang me up yesterday to make an appointment and told me I'd have to pay 255 euro on the day, which I then claim back at the end of the year.

Now, I am a student. Coming up with this money is difficult. Even when I have to claim on my dog's pet insurance, the claim is made straight away, and the cheque comes through within weeks.

Should I have just gone on a public waiting list. Could I have gotten the scan cheaper elsewhere?

(In case anyone is wondering, I'm not preggers)

Vorsprung

I'd say give your local hospital a ring to see what the waiting lists are like for non-urgent scans.

Not sure about your other questions, sorry.

fits

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

I'd say give your local hospital a ring to see what the waiting lists are like for non-urgent scans.
.

Thanks for your reply. I've been putting off the scan for a few weeks now, and the problem has worsened with the result that I really want to get it done as soon as possible now.
I should have gone on the public waiting list from the start I suppose.

Vorsprung

If it's something that needs to be done sooner rather than later, it will be given its due priority. Maybe talk to your GP and see what he/she says.

fits

In fairness I think its 'due priority' in the health service is rightly different than its 'due priority' to me. Its just a persistent achy unexplained pain....

I'm just going to suck it up and sacrifice elsewhere.

eth0_

The Beacon Hospital is probably the most expensive place you can go! Can't believe your doctor would recommend them!

I had an abdominal ultrasound in Charlemont Clinic a few months ago and it was 120. I also got an appointment within a week of my GP referring me. The consultant there was really nice too.

http://www.charlemontclinicxray.com/dic/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=42

fits

Darn it!
I suggested Charlemont as its convenient for me, but was told that my gp doesnt have much dealings with there.

anyway, I'm getting both an upper abdominal, and a pelvic scan.. which might explain some of the reason of why it costs more.

eth0_

fits wrote: »

Darn it!
I suggested Charlemont as its convenient for me, but was told that my gp doesnt have much dealings with there.

anyway, I'm getting both an upper abdominal, and a pelvic scan.. which might explain some of the reason of why it costs more.

It's all the same thing, covered by an 'abdominal scan'. It doesn't really matter if your GP has dealing with them or not, any GP can refer a patient to them.

UrbanFox

eth0_ wrote: »

It's all the same thing, covered by an 'abdominal scan'. It doesn't really matter if your GP has dealing with them or not, any GP can refer a patient to them.

That is an interesting point.

If my GP gives me a referral note for a scan can I go to wherever suits me best to get it done be that public or private ?

fits

I've changed the appointment to Charlemont. Mainly because it suits me better (mad busy atm)

eth0_

UrbanFox wrote: »

That is an interesting point.

If my GP gives me a referral note for a scan can I go to wherever suits me best to get it done be that public or private ?

Well it should be addressed to a specific clinic/consultant. But yes you can go private if you wish, and most GP's would have an idea how quickly you'd be seen at a private clinic.

fits

eth0_ wrote: »

It's all the same thing, covered by an 'abdominal scan'. .

No its not, pelvic is different to abdominal.

I've to drink two litres of water beforehand for the pelvic and fast for six hours for the abdominal.

eth0_

Ah, sorry.
Even if you are bursting for a pee, drink MORE! I was sent out to drink a pot of tea because my bladder wasn't full enough, thought I was going to explode

DundalkDuffman

I work in that game and don't be too worried about 2 litres of water. The whole purpose is to visualise the pelvic region, uterus and ovaries etc. 2 litres is a rounded number, it varies considering your physical size and obviously your bladder size. You will know yourself when you are full and don't be afraid to say it to your sonographer/consultant either, its very very unpleasant to be sat there bursting for the lav. Good luck with it :-)

fits

Thanks