ML5 fees

[peterb]

I went to my GP to make an appointment for an ML5 examination (required for commercial endorsement). "Oh, yes," said the receptionist "there will be a charge of £165."

There are two possible ways to satisfy the medical requirements; the ML5 (intended primarily for short trips such as those made by school yachts) and the ENG1 (intended for ship's crews). The ML5 form can be filled in by any GP, but the ENG1 can only be filled in specified doctors (there is just one for Hertfordshire). The ML5 requirements can be found here, and those for the ENG1 are in Annex B of MSN1765(M).

Now the real point is that the ENG1 requirements are far more complex than those of the ML5, but the regulations lay down a maximum cost of £80 for an ENG1 exam. There is no laid down cap for the ML5, but the MCA website says "There is no statutory fee for the completion of an ML5 medical report. The doctor will generally make a charge in line with British Medical Association rates."

So the charge for the simpler ML5 exam (by my own GP, who already has most of the information) is more than twice that of the ENG1 exam (by a specified doctor with no previous knowledge). Have other instructors hit the same problem? Is the charge in line with British Medical Association rates? Or is my GP on to a good thing?

 

[HoratioHB]

I have an ML5 and was booked in for a routine medical for Motor racing and sprung the extra form on the doctor at the end and he signed at no extra cost (total cost £18!). That said my experience with medicals in general is that no two surgerys charge the same and there is no reason not to shop around.
Sounds to me like your GP is on to far too good a thing.

 

[PilotWolf]

Mine cost me £70.00 about 3 years ago - the rate for an HGV medical as they didn't know what else to charge as.

In future I ll go for the ENG1 as ultimately cheaper.

W.

 

[Ceejay]

My doc did my PCV/HGV last June for nought, because he's a jolly decent chap.
....lucky me.
I'm due to go for a medical soon for a Boatmasters ticket, but my employer will pay for that so cost is not a problem. It has to be done by a MCA designated doctor though.
CJ

 

[1955patric]

My last ENG1 cost me £80. When I remarked to the doctor that it had risen by 25% in 2 years he said it did'nt even cover the cost of the consultation. I was in there for 10 minutes and I did most of the paperwork. That works out at
£480 per hour. I would say your doctor is onto a bloody good thing. Make's me wish I was clever enough to have done medicine way back when. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[tangomoon]

Your GP is on to a good thing

Always have been

The phrase is "Had to stuff their mouths with gold to get them to let the NHS work" Nie Bevan 1948

Nothing changed