Medical cost

[claireb7rg]

We've booked our medicals today but our GP is charging us £143.50 each!!

We can afford it but it seems a lot

I paid £176 for my initial medical and £48 for the update. Mine was face to face and about 45mins in the evening after surgery finished. My husband's was was a double appointment during the day and free of charge! (different surgeries)

OP, I’m honestly not being snarky, but if you are so concerned about £287, then maybe adoption isn’t for you. I genuinely mean this very kindly as an experienced adopter who is now fully reliant on Universal Credit having had to give up a well-paying professional career many years ago due to one of my children’s needs becoming so all consuming that me continuing to work was not sustainable.

This is why all prospective adopters are expected to really drill down on their finances and think about worst-case financial scenarios. You could end up with a child who has significant needs which rely multiple, costly trips to hospitals and clinics or you could have a child who loses every single pair of trainers you ever buy and needs at least three school PE kits a term (bitter voice of experience here).

If you peg it as one of those annoyingly frustrating but non-negotiable ‘life’ costs like council tax, water bills or vehicle excise duty, then maybe it’s easier to bear? And in a country where a round of IVF can cost £7K, then £287 is a mere snip if it helps you achieve your dream of becoming a family.

Good luck on your journey!

We paid £75 each and it was a very thorough exam which took at least 30 minutes per person. I am sure you can find a cheaper one somewhere.

@Ted27 I don't think it is the point that this is one of the few things we paid for before placement. You would not go to a supermarket that sells apples for £6 each when other supermarkets charge £0.50. Plus many of us have considerable additional cost after placement.

GP finally told me the cost which was £73 and some spare change. It's weird that every place charges differently and some not at all. Maybe one of the things that will come out of the regionalisation is that everything will the same for all adopters, cost, length of assessment, not feeling judged and hopefully finally having that light in their life of a beautiful child or children to love

@SmaugMum

OP, I’m honestly not being snarky, but if you are so concerned about £287, then maybe adoption isn’t for you. I genuinely mean this very kindly as an experienced adopter who is now fully reliant on Universal Credit having had to give up a well-paying professional career many years ago due to one of my children’s needs becoming so all consuming that me continuing to work was not sustainable.

This is why all prospective adopters are expected to really drill down on their finances and think about worst-case financial scenarios. You could end up with a child who has significant needs which rely multiple, costly trips to hospitals and clinics or you could have a child who loses every single pair of trainers you ever buy and needs at least three school PE kits a term (bitter voice of experience here).

If you peg it as one of those annoyingly frustrating but non-negotiable ‘life’ costs like council tax, water bills or vehicle excise duty, then maybe it’s easier to bear? And in a country where a round of IVF can cost £7K, then £287 is a mere snip if it helps you achieve your dream of becoming a family.

Good luck on your journey!

Er. can I point out in my op that I said we can afford it.. What is getting me is the vast difference between the cost as shown on this thread, for something that is required for the process of adoption why is this not standardised? Adoption UK agree it is something that should be standardised.

I am fully aware of the potential costs of adoption thanks, I have done my research and we are prepared for whatever costs we may need.

@sabzino

GP finally told me the cost which was £73 and some spare change. It's weird that every place charges differently and some not at all. Maybe one of the things that will come out of the regionalisation is that everything will the same for all adopters, cost, length of assessment, not feeling judged and hopefully finally having that light in their life of a beautiful child or children to love

That would definitely be good, won't come in in time for us but if it can help future adopters that would be good

@Yolande7

yes I’ve had considerable costs post placement, including significant loss of earnings and pension.
If you were in Scotland you would be paying legal fees. Its peanuts in the grand scheme of things - I am not the only person on this thread to make this point

@claireb7rg, but why should it be standardised? That’s like saying all garage service costs should be standardised. They’re not, it’s part and parcel of being in a free-market economy; your GPs are free to charge what they like for their private practice. You could always de-register and register at a ‘cheaper’ practice?

Look, I know you’re riled, but what the experienced adopters here are trying to tell you in their very polite and measured responses is try not to sweat the small stuff. It’s hard being prospective adopters because generally speaking we’re fully functional people who are in total charge of our (often very successful) lives and then, for one reason or another, we embark on the emotional rollercoaster of this process and our future happiness is at the mercy of strangers. We’re no longer in control.

Honestly, we’re trying to help you by gently suggesting that this is not the right thing to focus on right now. When you bring your little one home, you will be reconciled to the fact that it will have been the best money you ever could spend.

[quote SmaugMum]@claireb7rg, but why should it be standardised? That’s like saying all garage service costs should be standardised. They’re not, it’s part and parcel of being in a free-market economy; your GPs are free to charge what they like for their private practice. You could always de-register and register at a ‘cheaper’ practice?

Look, I know you’re riled, but what the experienced adopters here are trying to tell you in their very polite and measured responses is try not to sweat the small stuff. It’s hard being prospective adopters because generally speaking we’re fully functional people who are in total charge of our (often very successful) lives and then, for one reason or another, we embark on the emotional rollercoaster of this process and our future happiness is at the mercy of strangers. We’re no longer in control.

Honestly, we’re trying to help you by gently suggesting that this is not the right thing to focus on right now. When you bring your little one home, you will be reconciled to the fact that it will have been the best money you ever could spend.[/quote]
Jeesus can I not have a moan in a safe space?

I'm not riled, I'm not pissed off, I'm not upset. I'm having a moan

I'm happy to pay the fee, as I have already said multiple times now

[quote SmaugMum]@claireb7rg, but why should it be standardised? That’s like saying all garage service costs should be standardised. They’re not, it’s part and parcel of being in a free-market economy; your GPs are free to charge what they like for their private practice. You could always de-register and register at a ‘cheaper’ practice?

Look, I know you’re riled, but what the experienced adopters here are trying to tell you in their very polite and measured responses is try not to sweat the small stuff. It’s hard being prospective adopters because generally speaking we’re fully functional people who are in total charge of our (often very successful) lives and then, for one reason or another, we embark on the emotional rollercoaster of this process and our future happiness is at the mercy of strangers. We’re no longer in control.

Honestly, we’re trying to help you by gently suggesting that this is not the right thing to focus on right now. When you bring your little one home, you will be reconciled to the fact that it will have been the best money you ever could spend.[/quote]
And to be honest you're the only thing on this thread riling me...

@claireb7rg, and you’re rude and when I read such pettiness and rigid thinking from prospective adopters, I do worry about how they will tackle the absolute shit-storm that adopting will bring.

And if you’re so not bothered about the charge, why bother posting? What a waste of everyone’s time?

[quote SmaugMum]@claireb7rg, and you’re rude and when I read such pettiness and rigid thinking from prospective adopters, I do worry about how they will tackle the absolute shit-storm that adopting will bring.

And if you’re so not bothered about the charge, why bother posting? What a waste of everyone’s time?[/quote]
I'm rude?

I came on to have a moan and to have a chat about how different costs are across the UK. You know, this being a chat forum...

You came on here and have been saying I'm riled, upset, rigid and petty - none of which are true.

I've liked hearing the stories of the doctors telling others that their medicals are free and to save their money etc. What I haven't liked is you telling me you think I'd be better off not adopting because I can't afford the cost of the medical.

It's amazing to see how different not just the cost is but the different standard of medical.

I know they have your notes to go on which is what, I'm guessing, they base the majority of the evidence on. I've never met the doctor doing our appointment so will be interesting to see what they ask us

I'm going for my medical today. Does anyone know how long before you get the report and do you remember if the GP told you anything in the consultation?

@sabzino

I'm going for my medical today. Does anyone know how long before you get the report and do you remember if the GP told you anything in the consultation?

What time was your appt @sabzino?

If you've had it, how did it go?

Sitting in the waiting room now

@sabzino

Sitting in the waiting room now

Good luck!!

Thank you. Was strange being in a GP I haven't been seen since 2016. Overall it was straight forward, aside from doing my heart, weight 🙃 urine and height. He just confirmed information on my notes. Phew

@sabzino

Thank you. Was strange being in a GP I haven't been seen since 2016. Overall it was straight forward, aside from doing my heart, weight 🙃 urine and height. He just confirmed information on my notes. Phew

👍

Follow upto this, we've had them today and we were only charged £91 each.

All ok though they want to repeat my thyroid bloods (was probably due for them anyway to be fair)

@claireb7rg did your adoption agency send the GP a letter stating the cost?

Adoption agency sent a letter saying bma cost was £75 something so guess doctor realised they were being over the top 😂

@claireb7rg yeah that's what they did for me. The GP just agreed with the letter which was send out by the agency. I think if they try to charge more they could have to answer as to why.

My GP stated he has been doing Saturday sessions as a lot of people were going through the fostering process right now.