Blog Post
arpie
7 years agoMember
@Joannie
I have high private cover and have had it for about 45 years. I've used it for major things like surgery (mainly minor - and I guess you'd call my BC surgery minor as well on the scale of things.) I am also rural - so we don't have access to as many medical services as those living in the city - and this includes your choice of surgeon.
Sure, the Health Funds pay all the hospital bills - but they don't cover the gaps in anything else - and this includes your surgeon & all the tests/scans/biopsies etc.
There was even a $500 gap in my post op Pathology fee (of all things!) I can't quite work that one out - as I would assume it was a necessary part of deciding whether they'd 'got it all' or not?
If your surgeon charges MORE than what THEY consider to be an acceptable fee for your designated surgery - you will be out of pocket for the difference, as I was to the tune of about $3500.
I also had to pay an additional $400 (on top of my 'excess') as my surgeon's hospital was also not on their list of 'accepted' hospitals! :( It all adds up. So far, $6500+.
Many women choose NOT to have reconstructions entirely due to the Gap/cost. It is considered to be cosmetic surgery.
With this being my first diagnosis with BC (confirmed Jan 5th this year) ..... I wanted it done then & there, and did not want to wait 2-4 weeks or longer, even if my surgeon was available on the public list - as it was doing my head in.
NOW, in hindsight .... if I need further surgery at any time - I will ask him if he can do me as a public patient instead (as I am so happy with his work) and am prepared to wait 'a while' for that to happen.
People who go public usually have very few out of pocket expenses.
I put a post up earlier, encouraging members who went private to add to the list of those who's surgeon (in particular) have NO gap here:
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18935/no-gap-providers-in-each-state-who-doesnt-charge-out-of-pocket-expenses#latest
I have high private cover and have had it for about 45 years. I've used it for major things like surgery (mainly minor - and I guess you'd call my BC surgery minor as well on the scale of things.) I am also rural - so we don't have access to as many medical services as those living in the city - and this includes your choice of surgeon.
Sure, the Health Funds pay all the hospital bills - but they don't cover the gaps in anything else - and this includes your surgeon & all the tests/scans/biopsies etc.
There was even a $500 gap in my post op Pathology fee (of all things!) I can't quite work that one out - as I would assume it was a necessary part of deciding whether they'd 'got it all' or not?
If your surgeon charges MORE than what THEY consider to be an acceptable fee for your designated surgery - you will be out of pocket for the difference, as I was to the tune of about $3500.
I also had to pay an additional $400 (on top of my 'excess') as my surgeon's hospital was also not on their list of 'accepted' hospitals! :( It all adds up. So far, $6500+.
Many women choose NOT to have reconstructions entirely due to the Gap/cost. It is considered to be cosmetic surgery.
With this being my first diagnosis with BC (confirmed Jan 5th this year) ..... I wanted it done then & there, and did not want to wait 2-4 weeks or longer, even if my surgeon was available on the public list - as it was doing my head in.
NOW, in hindsight .... if I need further surgery at any time - I will ask him if he can do me as a public patient instead (as I am so happy with his work) and am prepared to wait 'a while' for that to happen.
People who go public usually have very few out of pocket expenses.
I put a post up earlier, encouraging members who went private to add to the list of those who's surgeon (in particular) have NO gap here:
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/18935/no-gap-providers-in-each-state-who-doesnt-charge-out-of-pocket-expenses#latest
Related Content
Nine News, this evening, advised that BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW) will be advising clients of their Breast Density from now on and the risk is poses - and this should hopefully result in earlier detect...
18 hours ago24Views
0likes
1Comment
Hi there Gail here. This is my first post. I was diagnosed on 24 May (7 weeks ago today) and had surgery 2 weeks later on 7 June. I start radiotherapy on 29 July. After that, on to hormone blockers...
9 months ago71Views
3likes
1Comment
Today, there is an article in my local paper about the Cancer Council podcasts called "The Thing About Advanced Cancer". Apparently they were launched this week. There are 10 episodes which look at...
6 years ago222Views
0likes
6Comments
Hi all This is my first time posting. I am looking for a doctor/oncologist who will support me during my breast cancer journey. I have recently returned from ten weeks in Bangkok having alternate ...
3 years ago381Views
0likes
14Comments
1. Recent posts on the BreastScreen NSW Facebook page have criticised it for not assessing breast density, unlike BreastScreen WA and private screening clinics. Tumours can hide in dense breasts whi...
5 years ago512Views
0likes
13Comments