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Louise64's avatar
Louise64
Member
5 years ago

Cost of private radiotherapy

I reduced private health cover due to
being single with mortgage . Now I’ll need radiotherapy after surgery . I’m a teacher so hoping to do private - but- have to ring health fund Monday. Public long way from home and I live alone . Any idea on approximate costs if I choose to go private over public... so many decisions ... 
thank you 🙏 
  • Hi @Louise64. I had private surgery with fairly large gap fees but had public rads at no cost. Whereabouts are you?  City/town?  Members may have tips for you.  Do you know when your rads will be?  Is your school ‘back’ from lockdown?  I was able to stay at Port Macquarie Rotary Lodge for 4 weeks at very low cost.  Most states also have a rebate scheme to refund petrol costs too if you are rural or live away from medical services. 
    Take care, hope it works out well for you xx
  • I don't have any private health insurance, and went public for surgery and chemo, but the Radiation Oncologist arranged for me to go to a private Radiation clinic closer to home, and at no cost to me.  This may also be an option for you and perhaps worth asking.  I didn't even ask as never considered it would an option.  
  • It varies from place to place but does cost thousands.  I believe that clinics are open to negotiation on price.  Don't disregard public hospitals though.  As far as I have been able to tell from what others have posted, there is no difference in treatment even down to how appointments are structured.  I went public at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and my treatment was first class.
  • Morning. I hope you get the info you need to make decisions. I was private, and went public for radiotherapy, but it was very close and convenient. Sorry I can't help with private costs.  Tough if there's travel involved. The convenience was a real help. All the best. 
  • I am having my radiation at a private facility but Medicare actually pays for it, not my health fund. The total cost is around $16000 and I will be out of pocket $3000 - Medicare pays the rest. The radiation clinic should go through a fee schedule with you and work out a payment plan. I was told that I would never be denied treatment if I was unable to pay - I don’t know how that would work and fortunately I am able to afford the cost. Talk to the clinic as well as your health fund because I don’t think you’ll need the fund.