Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

I have been going to what is now the Kolan hospital,in all its guises Medikent and Cyprus Life, every six months for over five years now, for my routine set of blood tests for diabetes and cholesterol.
My last two sets of blood tests cost 210 TL.
This morning for the first time I was asked if I had a BRS card and told I would get a thirty percent discount.
Now percentages were never my strong point but my bill this morning was 234.25 TL.
Has a price rise been made to accommodate the discount for the BRS? Or is it just a normal price rise due to rising costs?

Suggest you contact the BRS asap and let them know. Mind you I've always been very, very suspicious of these so called discounts for Ex-pat members of differing organisations. Last month I did receive a 20% discount for seeing two of the doctors at the NEU clinic but I have no idea whether these prices were hiked up prior to having a discount applied. It does depend on the type of blood test as well. I had two tests (but covered numerous items on a huge list) and the bill was horrendous. Makes your costs seem like a walk in the part!!

Panchocat. Are you 100% sure you were only tested for diabetes and cholesterol? As I know the cost of these tests as they are fıxed price and the discount always applied on presentation of your BRS card. If you want to give me a call I will make enquiries for you. 0533 884 5621

Chris

Perhaps you should think about contacting the BRS, you are obviously a member, so you can access their website which has telephone numbers so that you could talk to someone. I believe that the BRS has a person dedicated to Kolan Hospital to help resolve issues.

My last set of tests there for cholesterol sugar and thyroid were 320tl I didnt have a BRS card then. Cholesterol only at NEU were 49tl with the card. Dr appointment was 100tl Sophie. Using my card it was 88tl.

Nurseawful, It was the usual set of tests that I have been having for the last five years or so. Several tests on the sheet, nothing different from the last set or all the other sets except the price.
I am seeing my usual doctor at the Kolan on Monday, I will query it then thanks.

Panochat, have you asked Erduran Labs by the Bellapais Lights for a quotation? It might be worth your while.

I have a 6 monthly check up which includes diabetes and cholesterol, and various other checks - heart, liver, kidneys and prostate at a BRS discounted price of 280tl.

I went to the Kolan in Girne to see an Orthopaedic surgeon....cost was TL100 with my BRS card cost me TL70...30% discount. That was a few weeks ago.

Muffin I agree, I was going to wait until I knew the bill before producing it, but before I was told the amount I was asked if I had a BRS card.
It is now on the system so will be there for the computer operator to see every time.

Joe Soap thanks I may try them but as I am now registered with Girne Near East Girne clinic I may well transfer my tests to them in future.

Hi Panchocat, the BRS recently negotiated a new protocol agreement with the Kolan Hospital that deals with costs and the application of discounts.

In addition, and in agreement with the Kolan Hospital, a BRS Liaison Officer has been appointed to oversee the introduction of the new protocol and to monitor how things work in practice.

I am sure the Liaison Officer would be happy to learn about your experience at first hand. If you pm me your name and tel no I will ask the Liaison Officer to contact you direct.

Can not understand the cost, I have a blood test for INR every month and go to a clinic in town at a cost of 20tl and results in an hour,in fact I am going there tomorrow morning,don't know if there is any difference in the test apart from different illness.

Hi picnic, what clinic do you go to.

picpic, I do the same thing but go to Cyprus Life - doctors are at Kolan and I went there once for the INR but they told me it would take a week for the results and it cost me 25TL so I went back to Cyprus Life where, even if it costs me 30TL a month I get the results within 30 min's, chat with the hematologist, have coffee and generally enjoy myself. They also help me when the old INR goes up or down for no apparent reason so happy with them.

We used to go to Cyprus Life when we first came here and before all the 5Star establishments existed and thought it pretty good. Then it became a bit complicated because we were told we had to go to Medikent instead as they were part of the same group. (now staffed by people who work at NEU Clinic) Then that one became VIP Med and to put it mildy everything became so muddy and the staff floated between 2 and hospitals plus the State ones. It seems that some of the surgeons and specialist move to where the most money is. Question being - do you choose a hospital or follow a particular individual??

waddo. Can you let me know who told you that the INR result would take a week? Normally INR result is available within 30 mınutes. and the warfarin dosage and result is talked over with our Doctors at no extra charge.

Also with reference to cost INR blood test costs 25tl and if you have BRS or RBL membership then the discount of 30% is applied.

Chris

Chris, I started monthly INR checks with Cyprus Life in May 2012. INR averaged 2.46 apart from the odd time I ate to much green stuff - own fault - and rapidly returned to its normal level. Everything moved from Cyprus Life to Kolan around Jan 2014 and I had my annual check up there with my normal doctor then. Had my INR blood test at the same time and was told it would be ready in one week and to return then, I asked why it took so long when normally the result is ready in less than an hour and was told that not everything had been set up yet. Sorry did not get the name of the person I dealt with. Not happy about it but returned again in a week to find my INR had dropped to 1.9, now very unhappy. Waited a week and had the same check again at Cyprus Life and INR was now 2.57. Now, I take my INR reading very seriously and a drop of that type for no apparent reason made me doubt the validity of the INR test - so I stayed with my INR tests at Cyprus Life. Because I have been taking warfarin for some years now and because I am not a "silly" person, both my doctor and myself only feel it is necessary to talk about a dosage change if there has been a radical change which I can not explain. We talk about the whole year on an annual basis and are both happy with this but I am free to contact him at any time should I have any worry at all. The additional cost at Cyprus Life of 5TL for my own peace of mind is well worth it.

Further to the above, I have no doubt that the Kolan are totally professional and that it was just a transitional "glitch" as the two hospitals joined forces at that time. However, I am happy with Cyprus Life, I know the people there and they all know me and I shall continue to have all or any of my blood tests done there - personal choice and nothing else!

Have just been for blood test,result took 1 hour for a cost of 25tl must have got mixed up on the price. The lab is called Lamel Medical Laboratory,I was sent there from the hospital for residency blood test instead of x-ray. From Lapta go down the old road,across the first roundabout by HSBC to the next and turn right,follow the road round to the right and it's about 500yds on right. Address is Dr. Miroglu Cad Girne. I asked about prices Glucose and Cholesterol 40tl. Glucose, Cholesterol, HDC, LDC, Tryglyceride 60tl. Modern lab with very friendly English speaking staff. Hope this helps.