Can my GP charge me for test results?

Dep!

Went to GP this week and he took a sample from me to be tested. He said he'll have the results next week. "Ok grand" I thought. Until I remember him going to charge me for revisiting him before when he got the results of an X Ray.

I forsee a row and us parting ways after many years if he tries the same next week. Surely this isnt legal? I paid him his fee for the initial visit and this would be a quick in and out to grab the results from him.

Where do I stand under Consumer Law with this? Or do doctors even fall under such guidelines? Can I then tell him Im entitled to get the results under the Data Protections Act?

runawaybishop

Dep! wrote: »

Went to GP this week and he took a sample from me to be tested. He said he'll have the results next week. "Ok grand" I thought. Until I remember him going to charge me for revisiting him before when he got the results of an X Ray.

I forsee a row and us parting ways after many years if he tries the same next week. Surely this isnt legal? I paid him his fee for the initial visit and this would be a quick in and out to grab the results from him.

Where do I stand under Consumer Law with this? Or do doctors even fall under such guidelines? Can I then tell him Im entitled to get the results under the Data Protections Act?

Of course it is legal You are taking up his time and he is entitled to charge for it if he chooses.

beyondbelief67

If you phone up and speak to the receptionist they can give you the results of the tests, ours do anyway.

MarkR

If they are just handing it back to you, and you paid the previous time, then I would think not. They haven't asked you for more money yet, If he refuses to give it to you without payment, then you can start worrying about the law.

Alun

beyondbelief67 wrote: »

If you phone up and speak to the receptionist they can give you the results of the tests, ours do anyway.

In my case, it's the doctor who gives the results, not the receptionist. Of course if any follow-up is required on the basis of those results, i.e. to decide on a course of action / treatment, then it'll mean another consultation and another charge.

runawaybishop

MarkR wrote: »

If they are just handing it back to you, and you paid the previous time, then I would think not. They haven't asked you for more money yet, If he refuses to give it to you without payment, then you can start worrying about the law.

He can refuse to give any more of his time without payment. Just like the OP can take his business elsewhere.

beyondbelief67

Alun wrote: »

In my case, it's the doctor who gives the results, not the receptionist. Of course if any follow-up is required on the basis of those results, i.e. to decide on a course of action / treatment, then it'll mean another consultation and another charge.

Our doctors found it saved time for results to be given over the phone by the receptionist and then any appointment that was needed depending on the results could be made then too.

Memnoch

It's unethical and exploitative to charge you just to give you the results back as far as I'm concerned. I doubt any decent GP would do this. Yes if you require follow up care and further appointments for ongoing treatment then obviously you will have to pay for those visits. If he does charge you I suggest you contact the IMC and ask them if this practise is acceptable and also move to a different less vampiric GP.

Lucas Castroman

The doctor has to interpret the results, which is work for him/her and therefore they are perfectly entitled to be compensated for services rendered.
No doubt you would be the first to sue if they blindly handed out test results and something serious was missed.

Dep!

Lucas Castroman wrote: »

The doctor has to interpret the results,

Dont the hospital do that? He is merely passing on a message surely.

his_dudeness

You could ring up the GP and ask that they post out the results and that you don't want to pay for any further advice that they may give you.

Obviously it puts you in an awkward position if you then actually need the doctor to interpret the results for you....

Dep! wrote: »

Dont the hospital do that? He is merely passing on a message surely.

Depends on the test and who analyses it. A simple blood count or kidney function test means that a computer spouts out a list of numbers that will require knowledge of the patients history and conditions to accurately interpret. Only microbiology samples, serological samples, grossly abnormal haematological samples and radiological tests are vetted by doctors in the hospital, all other tests are run by technicians who aren't/shouldn't be making conclusions on the results.

RobFowl

They dont tend to charge for the results but do and should (from a business point of view) charge you for the analysis and treatment options and plans based on the results...

Dingle_berry

Dep! wrote: »

Dont the hospital do that? He is merely passing on a message surely.

No it's the job of the requesting clinician to interpret the test results in the context of the clinical picture. The results may confirm the diagnosis suspected by the requesting clinician or they may disprove it, even suggest another that requires further investigation. It's the interpretation of the results that the GP would charge for, not the results of the test.

his_dudeness wrote: »

You could ring up the GP and ask that they post out the results and that you don't want to pay for any further advice that they may give you.

Patients in Ireland are not automatically entitled to their test results. Partly because they don't pay for them but mainly due to the need for skilled interpretation.

his_dudeness wrote: »

Depends on the test and who analyses it. A simple blood count or kidney function test means that a computer spouts out a list of numbers that will require knowledge of the patients history and conditions to accurately interpret.

Have you ever been in a diagnostic biochemistry or haematology lab? What do you think happens if the 'computer spouts out a list of numbers' that isn't compatible with life? Not to mention results that don't fit the clinical details?

his_dudeness wrote: »

Only microbiology samples, serological samples, grossly abnormal haematological samples and radiological tests are vetted by doctors in the hospital, all other tests are run by technicians who aren't/shouldn't be making conclusions on the results.

Not all microbiology results are reviewed by a clinical microbiologist and only occasional blood films are reviewed by a haematologist. I've seen abnormal serology brought to the attention of consultants but never 'vetted' by one. Technicians haven't existed in Irish labs since the 80s at least. I think that you meant to say Medical Scientists run all the Biochemistry, Haematology, Transfusion & Transplantation, Immunology, Microbiology, Histology and Cytology tests. And they do make conclusions on the results, they make technical, scientific conclusions, just not clinical ones.

Gael23

I have a medical card so don't have to pay anything but whenever I get my Bloods done I usually just call my GP to make sure everything is ok and he'll either say everything fine or its not and you need to come in. I know for non MC holders a second visit for the same problem is half price with my GP and I assume its similar in most places.
So they shouldn't charge for the giving the results but they will for any follow up care thats needed based on those results.

Mrs OBumble

Mine sends a text (for free) if everything's fine. The dr or receptionist call to schedule an appointment if further discussion is required. Follow up appointments are usually at a discounted rate (35 vs 55 last time I had one).

Dep!

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Mine sends a text (for free) if everything's fine. The dr or receptionist call to schedule an appointment if further discussion is required. Follow up appointments are usually at a discounted rate (35 vs 55 last time I had one).

Your doc sounds like he is very much on the ball and a GP practising in 2015 and not the 80s. I was about to PM you about him until I saw you were in Galway