Forum Discussion

Hillbilly's avatar
Hillbilly
Member
10 years ago

Radiotherapy

Hi   Some thought processes when choosing to go public or private for radiotherapy.  Doesn't hurt to obtain a quote for private, is there a cost for parking, do you reach the safety net with Medicare, etc, etc, then look at the overall deductions and your individual budget.  Also see that some practices now do snorkelling and breath holding for left breast cancer, and can tell you if that would work for you.  Look at all options then choose public or private.  If we understand  the choices it allows us to be confident in the pathway we choose.  Jen

radiotherapy

6 Replies

  • Hillbilly's avatar
    Hillbilly
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks to everyone for their feedback, it has helped me and hopefully provided some discussion for others to use in the future.  I was private for the op but have gone public and so far am very happy.  Jen

  • Rosetta's avatar
    Rosetta
    Member
    10 years ago

    Private radio was going to cost me $2,000 gap/out of pocket. 3 minutes drive from there, I'm attending publicly & they've given me a pass for free parking in the section in front of the main hospital building for me to park when attending for treatments. This helps greatly as I race to & from work for appointments and this saves me parking/walking further away ?? I'm glad we have choices. I see my surgeons privately, had my first surgery & will be having upcoming sugery in a private hospital but I'm having radiotherapy via public system ?

  • maryroset1's avatar
    maryroset1
    Member
    10 years ago

    I had chemo through private but radio through peter mac in box hill. To this day i cant believe how well i was looked after during my treatment and post treatment i was having dressings changed daily by a nurse until it healed. Everyone i dealt with was great and very compassionate whether it be reception staff the radio techs and the nurses. Can highly recommend them to anyone who is contemplating whether to go public or not. It was an easy choice for me as i live a park away from the hospitals and was very convenient.

    Maryrose 

  • adean's avatar
    adean
    Member
    10 years ago

    I have private health insurance my surgeon put me into the public system for radiotherapy as the out of pocket cost would have been astronomical yes even with private cover. I went to Peter mac and the treatment was outstanding, my oncoligist was private but they all communicated and worked together. The parking fees were big but I thought I'm getting the radiotherapy for free so the parking seemed minimal.

  • Kathy_H's avatar
    Kathy_H
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Ladies , this in My opinion and only mine..... Public FAR OUTWEIGHS PRIVATE, I chose private purely and simply because I had it , my treatment ( or lack thereof ) has been pathetic , I am supposed to have a team who look after my overall wellbeing , have not met or had results from any of these people , all of the chasing up of various tests I have had to do myself , I have a friend in the public system whose treatment has been second to none , she is ALWAYS INCLUDED in everything that goes on , sadly this has not been the case for me , call me cynical ( and scared ) but private have shareholders to answer too .... I rest my case 

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    10 years ago

    Hi Jen, it is confusing when deciding what way to best fund rads treatment. Have a talk with your radiation oncologist about options as there may be some other funded resources that you can access. I'm from a remote area, and was able to access travel funding through DHS funding. Also, the rads clinic offered accomodation support as well. Have a chat, so you can make an informed decision. 

    Best regards,

    Trace ????????