Cost of private radiotherapy

Dear Louise64,
I'm going to be using the public system for Radiotherapy, after Private Surgery and Chemotherapy. Not looking forward to driving, but I doubt there isn't anything closer. Not helpful to you, but have you enquired as to whether you have Income Protection insurance in your Superannuation. It could be something that you have paid for. I've opted to use it straight through ie surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. It may be an option for you. Worth checking. This way I retain my sick leave, for use later. Eg for reconstruction.

All the best for your post op appt @Louise64 - I hope you are healing well. 

Check out here ‘tick sheets’ and print off the ones DOWN THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE (the top ones are just examples.)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment#latest

They cover a LOT of areas - from both physical and emotional “wellness” - and write any other questions you can think of there as well.  Take a friend with you as another set of ears ... and record it in your phone too!!

take care xx

I’m just looking forward to getting everything done. My mum lived with breast cancer for 25 years so the advances in treatment and care are so much better. I have post op appointment next week so will ask then. I’m just grateful the yearly mammogram has provided intervention and adjuvant therapy for a good prognosis. 

@Louise64 See if you can go public in a private clinic. Or even just public. I’m also single with a mortgage, a daughter, and unemployed for almost two years now so understand the need to save as much as possible. Im public for radio and love it. I actually look forward to going in. Before I started I was quite scared. But the care is amazing. Good luck Xx

Thanks - will see the options available to
me when i see my surgeon ( she is amazing) post op appointment next week. So many things to do - but feeling confident moving forward. The positive and helpful interaction from everyone on this site and in hospital has made this all so much easier to move through the process- slow and steady 🌸🌸

For radiation, I went public in a private hospital .
 I had my surgery done privately , my chemo publicly and radiation was going to be public , my husband and I were prepared to be drive the distance everyday for 20 treatments, but I found out that I could have the treatment at the local private hospital. At first they told me I had to pay a minimal fee,  but after reading what others had said here on this network I understood it was all up for negotiating . I ended up not paying a cent . That’s the great thing with this forum . I found it so helpful when I as going through treatment.
Be very careful with your radiotherapy costs. The treatment will be just the same whether you’re public or private  . If you don’t ask they’ll quite happily take a fee from you and it can get very expensive 

I had 15 'zaps' late 2018 as a public patient. The health care, personal attention etc. was excellent.

I was the same @kezmusc, no charges, just being treated during COVID-19 it seemed a bit surreal. Having to strip off in the treatment room. I don’t think it’s always the same there. 

I went public in a private hospital.  They were brilliant.  Same radonc and treatment as the private patients and no cost.

I was a public patient for radiotherapy. No complaints. No disadvantages. Highly recommended.