ost of a colonoscopy ?

flynnboy

Hi

Without boring you with all of the details.....my Doctor referred me for a colonoscopy as I was concerned and he was concerned. It now seems that the hospital are going to make me wait months for another Doc' to just 'talk' to me about my symptoms and I have been given the distinct impression by the hospital that I may or may not be offered a colonoscopy depending upon how serious my symptoms are i.e. I feel I am going to be assessed on a 'cost' basis rather than the real issues and my concern.

I am well within the age bracket to be 'at risk' and concerned and so given my concerns and my doctor's concern I am thinking that I might have to go private to ensure that I do get a colonoscopy and also to make sure I am not going to wait months to just talk to another Doc' who, if he decides I need a colonoscopy, will put me on another list where I will have to wait even longer to get one.

But, I am not loaded and need some idea of what it might cost - does anyone know ?

Thanks

Gottalovegreys

I looked into this quite recently, and the cheapest quote I got was around the 1400 mark (Blackrock Clinic of all places). The cost is quite high because you are sedated, so therefore have to pay an anaesthetist and be monitored afterwards.However I have been told since that you can choose to go without sedation, not sure how accurate this is and how it might effect the cost.

As far as paying privately for a procedure goes, it really does pay to shop around. I called maybe four or five places with a vast difference in prices.
Also, you can claim tax back on what you pay for the procedure (although that might have changed by the time it comes to claim this years expenses).

Would be interested to hear if prices have come down! Hope all goes well for you.

flynnboy

Thanks very much for your feedback G. That's more than I expected. Hopefully when I see the Doc' at the hospital he will recommend me. If he doesn't......... do you know of places other than Blackrock ?

Thanks again

Gottalovegreys

You can try the Hermitage in Lucan (think this was the highest quote), St James Private clinic, The Beacon hospital, Mater private, St Vincents private. Maybe Bon Secour in Glasnevin too? Not sure if they all do colonoscopy?

I'm sure there are other places around the country, just bear in mind that if you live in Dublin and go outside of Dublin, you won't be able to drive yourself home again if you've been sedated. Wouldn't be a problem if you can get someone to go pick you up though

Most of the above have websites and can e mail you the quotes, but from what I rememeber on some, they can give you the fee for the actual procedure but you have to then call the consultants office to find out their fee. Be prepared!

Good luck

flynnboy

Thanks again G

Squiggle

Would the National Treatment Purchase Fund be any use to you op?

flynnboy

Thanks squiggle. I wasn't aware of that and it looks like it could come in very useful. Thanks again

opinion guy

You could try asking your GP to write another letter to a consultant gastroenterologist or surgeon and ask him to do your scope a priority if both he and you are concerned about symptoms

flynnboy

Thanks og I think I'm going to go and have another chat with my Doc'. I don't want to wait months just to chat to another Doc' about my symptoms, I want a colonoscopy.

Cheers

ger664

Present yourself at casualty with your symptoms, you will get seen by the consultant or one of his regs then, and you will get into the system quicker this way.

sam34

ger664 wrote: »

Present yourself at casualty with your symptoms, you will get seen by the consultant or one of his regs then, and you will get into the system quicker this way.

no you wont

accident and emergency dept is for accidents and emergencies... this is neither.

you will be seen by a casualty officer and they will send you home.

the consultant will not come to see you just because you are on his waiting list

ger664

sam34 wrote: »

no you wont

accident and emergency dept is for accidents and emergencies... this is neither.

you will be seen by a casualty officer and they will send you home.

the consultant will not come to see you just because you are on his waiting list

Had this very same issue last year and thats was I was told to do by my GP, got my colonoscopy within 3/4 weeks on the public list.

drzhivago

ger664 wrote: »

Present yourself at casualty with your symptoms, you will get seen by the consultant or one of his regs then, and you will get into the system quicker this way.

Do NOT do this as it will result in a 10 hour wait for you to be seen by a casualty doctor who will say we cant do those tests and we cant refer you for it. No emergency today best of luck and bye -bye

waste your time and theirs

best suggestion is to talk to your GP

Some hospitals take direct referrals from GPs for scopes where Consultant reads GP letter, organises scope, sees you morning of scope and writes back to GP with report

No need for an unnecessary out-patient visit before the scope

St Michaels does this in dun Laoghaire, not sure which others offer, think beaumont has something similar though probably a lot more referrals than st Michaels

sam34

ger664 wrote: »

Had this very same issue last year and thats was I was told to do by my GP, got my colonoscopy within 3/4 weeks on the public list.

thats total misuse of the a&e dept.