Vet charging a fee for filling in insurance claim ?

[kateincornwall]

We have been with out Vet practice for a very long time now , it was a privately run one until fairly recently when the Vet/Owner retired and a group took over , they have three other practices in our area . Most of the staff have stayed on, which is great , and I have no complaints about the care but their charges have definitely increased quite a lot . When I took Nelly yesterday and then went to pay , I was informed by an embarrassed nurse that they now charge a fee for filling in their part of an insurance claim , so did I want to pay this as well ? This was for Reuben , I filled in my part online and then e mailed it to the Vets who only had to fill in the medical part and send it off by e mail to Tesco . OK , so they had a job to do, but it surprised me greatly that as a very long standing customer , I was charged £10 , maybe most other Vets charge too ?

 

[Charlie]

Blimey that's rough Kate. I have never been charged for that service. My daughter had to have her ear siringed last year, she was CHARGED at our GP practice £45 had it been both ears £75. Shocked doesn't cover it. What about the elderly that need this and might not be able to afford it. I'm a huge supporter of the NHS but that takes the biscuit. This country ought to be ashamed making a fast buck out of everyone and anything x

 

[Cath]

I know GPs charge for things but I have never had a vet charge me.

 

[Charlie]

I know GPs charge for overseas vaccinations but never heard of ear siringing xx

 

[Aitch]

Our vet charges £14 but I am happy to pay it as long as the care of my animals remains excellent.

 

[Candy]

Ours doesn't charge.

 

[Plum's mum]

Mine doesn’t charge. . . yet.

 

[Shaz82]

Yes I was charged by mine and was shocked. I suppose it's a bit like paying the doctor to write a letter for you but I would have thought vets get enough money from what they charge already!

 

[Charlie]

I would have thought vets get enough money from what they charge already!

My thoughts too. x

 

[kateincornwall]

It certainly shocked me . Nelly had an examination and an injection to calm her tummy down , and with the admin fee for Reubens claim, it came to £90 . Its a shame because we do like the Vets and staff at this practice but obviously their charges are being set by the group management . My excess is £80 so its just not worth claiming for the ten I would get back x

 

[Stacia]

I have never paid anything so far! £10 does sound excessive. However, I suppose it the vet is spending his time on an insurance form then he will charge for it. At my practice, the practice manager does the insurance forms.

 

[Jacqui-S]

My daughter had to have her ear siringed last year, she was CHARGED at our GP practice £45 had it been both ears £75. Shocked doesn't cover it. What about the elderly that need this and might not be able to afford it. I'm a huge supporter of the NHS but that takes the biscuit. This country ought to be ashamed making a fast buck out of everyone and anything

That shouldn't happen Helen!
It certainly wouldn't happen up here.
General Medical Services (GMS) are free for all patients in primary care, even international travellers now (not so in secondary/hospital care).
I would be astonished if there was a valid argument for this NOT being a GMS task.
Things like private sick lines, some letters, insurance forms etc all attract a fee as they aren't part of "general medical care".
Charging for vaccinations is another kettle of fish altogether. We don't do it unless it is a booster of a normal vaccine e.g. Tetanus booster. Otherwise the pharmacies or travel clinic do this.
I would be challenging the ear syringing for sure, I don't know how that is justified. Although we don't syringe - it's suctioning these days - and it's done at the ENT department if needed at all.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Oh, and our charges are based on how long it takes us to do something. Based on our hourly rate - a bit like solicitors. The cheapest is £15 for anything that takes up to 10 mins.

 

[Charlie]

I felt it shouldn't happen either but when she called to make an appointment the receptionist made it very clear that was the charge as a nurse comes in from our local hospital which is directly next door (walking distance) to do the procedure. The practice nurse took her money and apologised for this new rule. Sorry about my awful spelling of syringing!! x

 

[Jacqui-S]

Hmmmm

 

[Charlie]

Hmmmm

Hmmmmm indeed. I might ring up myself to make an "appointment" for ear syringing to see what I'm told. Sounds off to me. x

 

[Jen]

I understood it to be the same as if you want a corn removal or something that you essentially pay privately as it’s something that could be treated at home. I don’t think you can just ring up and book and appointment to have it done. Only a referral.

Unless you have a proper medical reason for the treatment - my nanna gets her ears syringed on the NHS but she has to go to the ENT department and it’s because it affects her hearing aid x

 

[Jacqui-S]

I understood it to be the same as if you want a corn removal or something that you essentially pay privately as it’s something that could be treated at home.

That would be podiatry.
They don't "do" everyday foot care these days unless you are diabetic or have dodgy circulation. They usually farm out corns and callouses and nail cutting - in my area its done by a voluntary service but there is a small charge - about £10 when I last checked.

 

[Charlie]

@Jen You can't syringe your own ears. She did the olive oil, over the counter stuff but nothing works. To me that is a proper medical reason. She has narrow ear drums and as a teenager was under the ENT department for constantly blocked up ears. I see no reason for the NHS to charge for this, afterall we do pay for it already. x

 

[Jacqui-S]

You can't syringe your own ears.

Well....maybe not, but......Hopi ear candles are apparently amazing!