Gynae Discounts

I'm in Durbs and my doc is Dr Welliensiek who practices at Kingsway Hospital in Amanzimtoti, but does back up deliveries for my midwife at both Hillcrest and Crompton Hospitals (so he has delivery rights at them too). He is very upfront about his cash rates so no if you are paying cash you dont have to ask for a discount:)

I'm not sure what its like in Joburg (where all medical professionals charge substantially more than they do at the coast which is part of the reason that discovery does a coastal saver plan), but I offered a cash discount when I was still practicing and I know a lot of docs will offer a discount if they are contracted into medical aids and a patient asks. The reason is that Medical aids can be notoriously bad at paying - and sometimes a few months will elapse before the scheme comes back with "Funds exhausted" which means you are then left chasing patients for outstanding money - a real PIA. Offering a cash discount give incentive for patients to pay now which means less waiting by the doc. This isnt usually the case with those who are contracted out (eg my childs paed has a flat rate of R560 per consult which is higher than the medical aid rate.) That said even they may be open to negotiation (you never get unless you ask).
You may find it hard to get a so called "top doc" who is contracted in because they are usually arrogant enough to believe that if you want their skills you have to pay:)

I know many will shoot me down for this, but the NHI thing is something that is sorely needed in this country if just to regulate health costs (its current proposed format is not realistic). Last year my Sister in Law had lazer eye surgery done in London for almost the same cost as it would have been if she came back to SA for it. Seriously? The cost of living in London is 5x what it is here, so I'm pretty sure private opthalmologists in London have higher "costs" than the opthalmologists here....But thats a different story

Hi Claudia,

Would you mind PM me the gynae's name?
Also did you actually ask for it, or did they offer the options to you?

My doc gives big cash discounts (infact a number of specialists I know do because it saves the hassle of waiting for payment). 1st appointmentwas R600 (opposed to the R1200 that would have been claimed directly from my med aid), follow ups are R450. I pay cash, ask for a reciept and claim from medical aid myself. Makes savings go a lot further:)

Mine doesn't but I wouldn't feel embarrased to ask. I bet Bill Gates asks about discounts! Don't ever be ashamed for trying to save money - no matter how much you have!

Hi,

I heard from other forummers from another forum that some gynaes offer discounts 5-15% if you settle your bill on the day itself. Is this true?

If so, how and when do I enquire about that? I do not want to sound too money-minded but any extra saving helps

Any Moomies ? If yes, with which gynae?