Medical Examination

[Snafu03]

for my job I have to undergo a medical examination every 5 years. This involves about 10 minutes of the Doctors time.

last time I had it done it was 102.00; this time they have told me it will be 144.00. Can I get a medical done at any surgery or does it have to be my doctor? Thinking of shopping around as my surgery seems to be more expensive than most.

[Obiter]

I would have thought that if the company required you to have a medical examination it would be at their expense.

[woofgang]

It depends on what your company requires and what the other doctor will agree to. Another GP might not agree to se you even privately without your GP's knowledge. If you go to a private service it would likely be more thorough but cost more.

[mccfluff]

depends whats its for - fatty has to have a med exam for his hgv license every 5 years, i got it for £50 last time. look online & see what is available in your area

[Sqad]

A medical examination has to be done by a medical practitioner.

[MargoTester]

Agree with orbiter, surely if the company you work for requires you to have a medical then they should pay for it. Is it a requisite for all employees?

[Snafu03]

i work for a company on a self-employed basis so have to pay for this myself

[mccfluff]

shop around

[hc4361]

Are you a truck driver?

[boxtops]

snafu, if it's a legal requirement of your job to undergo this test, you may be able to offset the cost of examination against your income tax allowance.

[Snafu03]

taxi driver

[EDDIE51]

As you are self employed you will be able to claim the cost as an expense against tax, so in the end it won't cost anything. Can't be much of a medical in just 10 minutes!

[boxtops]

snap, Eddie :-)

[Prudie]

I'd shop around, it doesn't have to be your GP. FOr HGV, as mentioned, I've known it be between £50 and £90 for employees where I work depending on where they go. I'd even consider looking at any private hospitals round you, surprisingly they came in at the £50 for our staff.

[mccfluff]

if you put drivers medicals into google, you'll get a lot of results, depends where you live but you can get it cheaper

[hc4361]

Around £45 with these people who have locations across England and in Glasgow
http://www.driversmedicals.com/_How_to_book_an_appointment.html

[Snafu03]

thanks hc, will have a look at the link

[Buenchico]

>>>As you are self employed you will be able to claim the cost as an expense against tax, so in the end it won't cost anything.

Utter rubbish. Claiming an expense against tax doesn't mean that you get it for free. It simply means that you don't have to pay tax on the amount of money that you've spent on the item. So, if Snafu03 pays £144.00 for his medical examination he'll not have to pay tax on that £144.00, saving him £28.80. Thus the medical will have still cost him £115.20.

Many local taxi drivers' associations will have an arrangement with a medical practice to provide health screening for their members (at a discounted rate). Alternatively they will probably know the cheapest providers in the area. So ask the other guys on the rank where they go for their medicals and what they pay for them.

[Hopkirk]

Don't forget the National Insurance saving as well, Chris.