"Being billed for COVID-19 screening"

I presented to RPH ED early last year for breathlessness, palpitations and cough symptoms. My GP referred me to the ED as they said as I came back from overseas during the holidays and presented with cough and such they can't see me and need to go to the ED for COVID-19 screening. 

Upon admission, the ED doctor took my history and in the midst of explaining my history they asked me for my travel history and I told them the three overseas locations I just came back from. The ED Doctor informed me that as I just came back from a COVID-19 hotpot and I had some of the symptoms of COVID-19, they wanted to screen me to rule out COVID-19. They explained to me that the admission and testing will be free. In light of that, I was not given any estimated costing for any of the admission or tests. 

I proceeded to agree to the testing under the premise that it will be free. I went for the chest Xray and examination of my chest and they said that there is nothing abnormal in my chest. They then diagnosed me as a panic attack instead. 

Following 12 months, I received a bill for hundreds of dollars for both admission and testing. I have attempted to appeal for the waiver of this bill but was informed that as COVID-19 was not a thing and the government did not have mandate or mandatory testing for patients with COVID. I believe this is not true as the GPs have been informed to refer all overseas patients who presented symptoms to the hospital and the Chief Medical Officer and Health Minister have made statement prior to when I presented about biosecurity, isolation and testing of travelling coming from overseas as well as symptomatic traveller to proceed to the hospital for testing.