Double Dipping Medical professionals

[maumau]

So the other day I went to a dentist for a routine extraction.
Dentist tells me because of ( insert technical and medical claptrap here ) he can't do the extract and I need to wait a week while taking prescription antibiots.
Already R500 down and the tooth is still hurting like a bitch.

Week later the extraction is done at a cost of another R400 odd. I only have a hospital plan so not covered.

Mate tells me he had the same experience while having some basic stitches done for a routine cut on his finger.

Costed him R 1 750 because of anti - ( insert more medical claptrap here ) shots that was apparently recommended in that he take.

Warning: Watch these scammers. They make you more sick.

You need to research a bit before slagging off your dentist.

As mentioned umpteen times already, antibiotics are standard treatment for the technical and medical claptrap. Dentist was ensuring the infection wouldn'the spread.

Anyway, now that you've posted here you've learnt something.

 

[bumbledore]

real easy,

prescribe you lots of Expensive pills (Brand name) from XYZ pharmacy, and only XYZ pharmacy
take 30% commision afterwards,

rich GP

happened to my dad exactly that, nearly killed him with treatments as he used to be on discovery classic comprehensive,
when they see you have a good med aid, they dont do whats most effective and cheap,

they go for the most expensive treatments, as they get a FAT paycheck from the referral....
dosnt matter if they nearly kill you in the process

I've never heard of commissions being paid out to GPs by pharmacies?
Do you have a source for this?

 

[bumbledore]

Not all pharmacies have all medicines for a start. They also keep a patient's details and it's quicker to go to the same one since they don't have to create a new record.

GP's are also visited by drug reps and 'advised' on what to prescribe. I believe there are kickbacks for this. Perhaps the GP will show him his own records or it is tracked back via the pharmacies.

Drug companies do not and can not offer "kickbacks" for particular prescriptions. The HPCSA is very clear on this. If you are aware of this happening with your doctor, you have the responsibility of reporting him/her.

 

[AntiGanda]

Drug companies do not and can not offer "kickbacks" for particular prescriptions. The HPCSA is very clear on this. If you are aware of this happening with your doctor, you have the responsibility of reporting him/her.

I find doctors can be unscrupulous.

I took my mom in for checks by appointment. It turned out he didn't have the right equipment to test her lungs, and sent her home, assuring us he wouldn't charge. He's still sending us bills and "doesn't recall" the incident. He's also the biggest gossip in the neighbourhood and anything you tell him is spread to the next patient. They also have a doctor who is officially retired and not on their books moonlighting at the practice. He nearly killed my mother when he kept telling her he was coming for a home visit and never arrived. (it was more serious than we thought).

Worse than lawyers they are!

 

[ToxicBunny]

I find doctors can be unscrupulous.

I took my mom in for checks by appointment. It turned out he didn't have the right equipment to test her lungs, and sent her home, assuring us he wouldn't charge. He's still sending us bills and "doesn't recall" the incident. He's also the biggest gossip in the neighbourhood and anything you tell him is spread to the next patient. They also have a doctor who is officially retired and not on their books moonlighting at the practice. He nearly killed my mother when he kept telling her he was coming for a home visit and never arrived. (it was more serious than we thought).

Worse than lawyers they are!

Have you reported these practices to the HPCSA?

 

[AntiGanda]

Have you reported these practices to the HPCSA?

I discussed it with them and they said they have far more serious medical related complaints so left it.

 

[Alan]

Bunch of unethical scammers

That's my experience.

But, but, but the internet has made us all experts!

If I hadn't used the internet to research the condition I had and the treatment prescribed and instead listened to my doc I probably wouldn't be around now.

Trust your doc at your peril. Lesson I learned the hard way.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I discussed it with them and they said they have far more serious medical related complaints so left it.

Really?

Somehow I think you're talking BS tbh, I've dealt with the HPCSA and any accusation of an unlicensed medical practitioner will be dealt with quite swiftly... and also your story about him promising a home visit and never arriving and your mom almost dying would also be dealt with.

 

[AfricanTech]

That's my experience.



If I hadn't used the internet to research the condition I had and the treatment prescribed and instead listened to my doc I probably wouldn't be around now.

Trust your doc at your peril. Lesson I learned the hard way.

That is true - point taken - doctors are far from infallible.

The good ones (mine) actually use the Internet as well.

 

[Polly101]

GP's are also visited by drug reps and 'advised' on what to prescribe. I believe there are kickbacks for this. Perhaps the GP will show him his own records or it is tracked back via the pharmacies.

there is no such thing. Google the "marketing code authority" of south africa (there are global ones as well).

All these conspiracy theories!!! How about just saying to the doctor please prescribe a generic? or otherwise go for a second opinion if you feel you are being over treated

 

[catharsis]

Why do you assume the dentist was lying though?

There was a time when a tooth extraction was done on the first visit.
Nowadays takes 2 or 3 visits.

Not lying but making sure they get maximum profit from a client.

Same thing with physios. A follow up meeting is always prescribed within 2 weeks of the first even though the treatment or exercise given takes months to see the effects thereof.

Its a business at the end of the day not the red cross.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

Its a business at the end of the day not the red cross.

And if you have the gold package with fairy dust, your more likely to get bigger bills
And more visits and such.

Bet you in the above case it was actually becuse of the expensive Med aid,
If he had just a hospital plan, came with cash
Things would be diffrent......

 

[bumbledore]

I discussed it with them and they said they have far more serious medical related complaints so left it.

Nonsense. I call your bluff.

I don't believe you for a moment. The HPCSA are obligated to take any complaints from the public and follow them through. Despite their inefficiencies.

What you are alleging is serious - non-registration, fraudulent billing etc...

 

[bumbledore]

There was a time when a tooth extraction was done on the first visit.
Nowadays takes 2 or 3 visits.

Do you not understand that the science changes? Practice 20 years ago is vastly different from practice today.

C'mon people, try to think.

 

[AntiGanda]

Nonsense. I call your bluff.

I don't believe you for a moment. The HPCSA are obligated to take any complaints from the public and follow them through. Despite their inefficiencies.

What you are alleging is serious - non-registration, fraudulent billing etc...

Believe what you want. As you say serious allegations that require reasonable proof.

 

[AntiGanda]

There was a time when a tooth extraction was done on the first visit.
Nowadays takes 2 or 3 visits.

Not lying but making sure they get maximum profit from a client.

Same thing with physios. A follow up meeting is always prescribed within 2 weeks of the first even though the treatment or exercise given takes months to see the effects thereof.

Its a business at the end of the day not the red cross.

The dentist now hires a hygienist who needs to be paid to teach you how to brush and floss. Not to mention that sharp gadget he picks your teeth with to ensure a next visit.:erm:

 

[1441568916]

The medical profession is also recently seen as a licence to print money.
Specialists, especially dentists, are guilty of this.

I lowered my medical plan this year... hmmmm the results have been "interesting"

 

[ToxicBunny]

Believe what you want. As you say serious allegations that require reasonable proof.

So then provide this proof, you've made the allegations.

 

[bumbledore]

Believe what you want. As you say serious allegations that require reasonable proof.

What is your point?

How I know that you are lying is because you said, "I spoke to them..."

But everyone and anyone who has dealt with the HPCSA in recent years (and before) knows that to speak to someone telephonically is nigh-on impossible.

Also, the complaints procedure is an online form requiring minimal information, that would have obviated the need for you to speak to someone at council.

 

[bumbledore]

The medical profession is also recently seen as a licence to print money.
Specialists, especially dentists, are guilty of this.

I lowered my medical plan this year... hmmmm the results have been "interesting"

Can you elaborate on what you mean by, "interesting"?