Broken hand - costs?

prod_igy

Hi, Im backpacking in Australia and broke my hand a few weeks ago, have gotten surgery on it and all that not worrying about the cost until yesterday when my insurance company rang to tell me they wouldn't be covering the costs as it was a 'self inflicted injury' (i had originally told the doctor that first saw me in the ED that i hit a door but what actually happened was that i was walking home alone from a nightclub at 4am when i was started on by an aboriginal who was clearly going to hit me or do something so i hit him first and legged it (they are known to carry knives so i wasnt going to wait around). At the time i was still a bit drunk and didn't think it would matter what i said to them and was afraid that the guy i hit would report me for assault etc etc etc

Anyway, this simple lie has really backfired and now im really screwed! I have no idea of the total cost, so was wondering if anyone here could help me out?

So far ive been xrayed 4 or 5 times, been to the clinic about 3 times for checkups, had surgery (it was the metacarpal behind my pinky finger that broke) under anaesthetic and had two wires put in, and had a plastic splint made. The next checkup is in 3 weeks when they're taking the wires out and then physio on the hand for a few weeks after that.

So basically ive got 2 questions,

Approximately what would the final cost be?
Is it possible to change the story to the insurance company?

tallaght01

If you're Irish, we have a reciprocal agreement with Oz. If you get treated in a public hospital, you don't get charged.

I've had to go to A+E in Sydney and didnt pay anything. I know another girl who had to have an ovary removed, and didn't pay a cent.

DrIndy

reciprocal agreement all the way.

Vorsprung

prod_igy wrote: »

it was the metacarpal behind my pinky finger that broke

Otherwise known as a Boxer's Fracture

RobFowl

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

Otherwise known as a Boxer's Fracture

Showing my age here but we used to call it the John Wayne fracture

tallaght01

Surely it should be the "I don't have a clue how to punch properly" fracture

DrIndy

There is ONLY one way to get a boxers fracture. Hitting a door doesn't cause it, only a directed punch to either something animated or inanimate does.

prod_igy

Thanks for the replies (esp tallaght01), i originally tried to get a medicare card after it happened, but the woman said people from south of the border cant get it, i think its just british commonwealth people that can get it. But ye, apparantly with the reciprocal agreement you just need to show them your Irish passport (which i vaguely remember doing when i first went to the hospital) and you get free treatment in any public hospital (thank f**k!!)

<deleted - no racial undertones please - DrIndy>