‘Tax on women’: GPs charging for ‘free’ maternity appointments, despite HSE guidelines

https://www.thejournal.ie/tax-on-women-gps-charging-for-free-maternity-appointments-despite-hse-guidelines-6482969-Sep2024/

Posted by Static-Jak

9 Comments

  1. The GP I had on my first pregnancy, charged me for the first visit. Receptionist was a boot about it.

    GP on second pregnancy was adamant I didn’t pay. I was shocked.

    How can doctors do this.

  2. There seems to be major confusion about the initial “Am I pregnant?” appointment with some charging and some not; it would be great to get clarity on that. In Dublin, where you self refer to your maternity hospital of choice, it does seem like an unnecessary step, given that you can buy accurate pregnancy tests in supermarkets like.

  3. It’s hse stipulation that anything to do with the pregnancy should be foc, however if the patient asks about anything unrelated to the pregnancy then they should be charged

  4. LordyIHopeThereIsPie on

    You don’t need to visit the GP when you find out you’re pregnant anyway. It’s a common misconception. You just book directly with the maternity hospital.

  5. Many GPs don’t bother confirming pregnancies if you’ve done a test, they just book you into a maternity hospital which you can do yourself.

  6. I mean, nobody will do anything outside of what they are paid for. It’s the same with medical card. If it’s not covered, it’s not covered. If GP gets no refurbishment for something, he / she won’t bother doing it.

  7. I’m feeling particularly stung by this right now. I was explicitly told on my first pregnancy I had to pay for first visit. Then I paid again for my second pregnancy, then when I lost that pregnancy and got pregnant again within about a 5 month time frame, I had the pleasure of paying again… I have to get a GP referral as well because I have a pre-existing condition. I’ve always trusted my GP, they’re otherwise excellent, but I feel a bit taken advantage of now

  8. Dry_Procedure4482 on

    My doctor never asked to be paid. Including for my pregnancy I lost, even when I went in because I was miscarring. I wasn’t asked to pay later either. My doctors told the receptionist to wave any fees and even called me to check on me when I was confirmed miscarrying by the maternity hospital.

    It really seems to be hit and miss and a bunch of luck whether you get a considerate doctor or not.

  9. I’ve just been to my gp last week for my first visit after a positive pregnancy test. I got confused as well as I thought it would be free but I had to pay 70euros.