Hi Freitagsm, I live in regional Qld and am all too aware of the $$ cost of having BC that our city sisters don't have to necessarily deal with. Are you registered with the Medicare Safety net? If not you can do this on-line. Also, after your consult with your private radiation onco the staff will be able to give you an estimate of your expenses.
I'm sorry to say that my experience has seen me pay double what you were told.
My public rad clinic is Royal Brisbane, approx. a 2hr drive each way for me. This was never an option, I'm not retired - we need me to keep on working to help pay the mortgage and send one to school and the other to uni. I am going to a private clinic that is only a half an hour drive.
The cost of private radiation will probably vary from clinic to clinic and state to state. The cost also varies as to how many 'fields' they are treating - I have 6.
I am now on the Medicare safety net and my Medicare recognised out of pocket expenses due to BC has reached the $2k mark which means Medicare picks up 100% of the schedule fee - at least I think this is what happened as the whole medicare billing thing frankly has me confused.
My first week I was out of pocket around $300. Last week my $1700 weekly bill saw a return of $1620 from Medicare - yay. Be reminded thought that you don't see any money from Medicare until you pay the provider 100%.
My clinic offers payment plans- I'm sure yours will do the same if you need. I am fortunate that my family can live with the cost as we have good credit card limits :). However, I was stunned with my first bill for the CT and planning that came in at $2400! I saw only $1600 back from Medicare. I wonder how those on a fixed income afford it and afford to eat.
Enough of the negatives! A big bonus with going to a private clinic will probably be that you are given an actual appointment time. i.e. 8.00 means your in at 8.00. which is very important if your trying to hold down a job. And its not difficult changing appointment times! Come and see the nurses any time - no appt. Free tea coffee and bickies. Super up beat staff - though I'd say this is the same in the public system. Oh yeah, and free parking.
I do sincerely hope that the cost is something you can cope with as it's bad enough having the diagnosis to start with but having to deal with the financial pressure is a whole other kettle of fish.
Good luck to you.