How to cut down on GP's fees

A recent survey found one third of people cannot afford to visit their GP. Surveys show the cost per visit is between €30 and €50. But it can be up to €65. SwiftCare charges €95.

So how can you cut down on spiralling medical expenses?

Med 1

You can claim back 20% of GP and prescription costs from Revenue. But you are not entitled to claim for routine dental procedures (extraction, fillings, repairs etc) and most optical costs are not covered.

 

UK – free GP care

The British have had free GP care for 50 years now. The Government here has a plan for free care for under fives.

 

GP membership schemes

Some GP practices are now offering membership schemes where you pay a monthly or annual amount and get GP cover in return. The fees are €15 a month for an adult, €30 for a family and €10 for over 55s. The annual fee for an adult is around €180.

This may be a good idea if you are near the surgery and have to visit the doctor a lot.

 

Cash plans

Around 100,000 people have what are known as cash plans. These give back cash if you have to visit a GP, go to the dentist (for any procedure), visit an optician, or end up seeing a consultant or going to hospital.

HSF Health Plan operates these. It offers one plan for €52 a month for a family. This gives coverage for dental and optical visits up to €500, up to €1,000 for consultants. And up to €190 for GP visits.

 

School insurance

For just €7 a year school children are covered for the cost of accidents by the likes of Allianz. This will give €20 per night for a visit to hospital as a result of an accident, and up to €50,000 towards dental treatment. Allianz has a non-adversarial claims policy. The school principal has to sign the claim form to prove there was an accident, even if it is in the home.

 

Online prescriptions

Lloyds Pharmacy has launched a new online prescription service for women who use the contraceptive pill. It offers cut-price consultation fees, with doctors online.