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Making a complaint to Health Complaints Commisioner
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Am I being unreasonable in my request for a refund? Has anyone dealt with this before or with the Health Complaints Commisioner? I'm wondering if it's worth wasting my breath on it, or if there is a different organisation that may help. Thinking about local government/MPs as well. Thanks
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You could try a complaint. In the end you won't have lost anything for trying.
I agree that they should have asked you during the first session if you have a concession card. I bet if you had gone in person it would have been on the new patient form.
However, one of the reasons they might not be able to refund you is that a concession card doesn't just lower the price, it also increases the amount Medicare will pay towards your fee. If they don't have the concession card number at the time of claiming through Medicare, they will not be able to adjust the claim now.
Kind thoughts, Jess
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I'm really sorry that happened to you, that sounds really disappointing and upsetting
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Dear PurpleRed~
The downside of making a complaint to anyone about anything though any official system is that it can drive up stress and anxiety, this is something you should decide, knowing your ability to cope.
The next thing is that your complaint sounds completely justified. As your original details are recorded for their system you should have been asked Medicare number and if you had any concession cards along wiht next of kin, DOB etc. This is particularly necessary if they state they do charge concession rates. Failure to do so may reflect upon their ability to charge Medicare for telehealth visits however should not affect you. There is a duty of care to you by all involved in that clinic.
The Health Complaints Commissioner, in my state at least, has been most helpful to me and advised me what was and was not appropriate.
If you leave the money to one side I doubt that the most important thing between client and therapist is not going to be present in the future, and that is trust.
Truth be told I'd expect the office staff are not used to the new temporary bulk-bill telehealth rate currently in effect for selected patients and have made mistakes.
Please let us know what you decide.
Croix
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Hi PurpleRed
Excellent question and thankyou for the thread too
I feel the frustration you are going through and making a complaint would be understandable..yet just from my own life experience it may be counter productive where your well being is concerned even if you do succeed
The forums are a non judgemental and secure place for you to post PurpleRed
Any questions are always welcome!
My kind thoughts..Paul
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This has definitely affected my mental health, but at this point, I think it's worth alerting the Health Complaints Commisioner, just so they are aware of it. At least I won't feel like I brought this up for nothing, which would affect me even more mentally.
You are all correct - It was the fact that trust was broken. Money is money - It comes and goes, and isn't the be all and end all. I find it very strange that they didn't at least have an initial phone consultation with me to discuss such matters. I want to turn up the heat on them a little with this complaint and let them know that their handling of this situation has been inappropriate.
I paid over double what the Medicare refund was, so I don't believe the rebate rate would have been different. I'm no expert though.
I'm going to pursue this, keeping in mind that I doubt I'll see the money again, but with the thought that it may help change some things. One can only try 🙂
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Hi PurpleRed
Making the Health Complaints Commissioner aware of your situation is fine as its the principle involved..fair enough! Helping change a flaw in the system can be helpful to others so they dont experience the same
We are here for you irrespective of the path you choose 🙂
you are amazing PurpleRed
Paul
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