Radiation Costs

I just finished 3 weeks ago... not one cent spent.. and could not fault the public system .. they were fantastic.. even when I got pneumonia for the whole treatment, they were so patient.. 

I went private mainly for the convenience, very quick and out, always scheduled at same time and free parking . I was out of pocket around $1000 mainly because I was over the safety net. I was happy to pay this as it rarely took more than 30 minutes in and out and I can then go to work

Like most ladies here, I went private for chemo and surgery and the public hospital adjacent to the private hospital where I had the surgery/chemo has a Cancer Centre attached to it staffed by wonderful practitioners.

I was not even aware that you could have radiotherapy via private practitioners and was simply referred to "next door" for treatment. I could not fault them.

Can't believe that cancer patients are slogged for so many out of pocket expenses. My chemo had no out of pocket expenses but surgery ......

Best wishes to you.

Sheryl  

I went private for surgery and chemo, but my surgeon advised me to go public with radiation, and my oncologist supported this.  I went to the PA in Brisbane, (10mins from home) and the staff were excellent, made me feel relaxed and stress free.  Very rarely were the appointments later than the booked time, and also got free parking at the hospital for the 30 treatments that I required.  Could not fault them at all.  Good luck with it all.

I went public because there is no private radiation clinic where I live.  I went private for chemotherapy.  Both excellent.  The public radiation staff were excellent as were the private chemotherapy staff.  Everyone was wonderful, kind, efficient.  Good luck.  Karen 

I went public even though the rest of my treatment was private. No issues with it at all.
Paula

Thanks Rita went good had a little meltdown but will come good just laying on the radiation table I was thinking of what I've been through and the next 6 weeks of treatment tomorrow's a new day xx

I went public through Peter Mac. Beautiful people, so kind and sensitive. Service amazing. No cost. No wait. I didn't have private cover. I drove myself each day and worked. I was tired when I stopped but during the process no problem just kept going. 

I went private for everything except radiation my surgeon said go public .so l did at peter mac first class treatment

I was very happy with my Private radiotherapy and could still work for the full 6 weeks.  Public was over an hour away and would have made working difficult and added to the fatigue and stress.  I think these private clinics need to be more open and honest about what their fees are.  You cannot find out what the fees are until you have an appointment with the radiation oncologist.  You get told at the end of the appointment what the costs are - if you can't afford it you would then have to start again and get on the wait list for public.  They wouldn't even give me a "ball park" figure.  The OOP was $3000 for 6 weeks but this was reduced to $500 if you were a pensioner.  They did have a payment plan so you didn't have to come up with full cost up front.  I gave them this feedback about transparency - not sure if they took any notice.