public system or private health insurance?
I am 55 and just got diagnosed with high grade DCIS (2 lesions, one with focus suspicions for micro invasions, lymph node U/S FNA - Negative). the hospital gave me a referral for their breast surgeon ...
Forum Discussion
@Ilovehuskies
Hello! Im so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, my question is who has said you need a Mastectomy? did you have surgery already as in a lumpectomy, is that how they got the pathology? or did they ascertain that through a biopsy? For Public Hospitals they have 3 categories, 1 being the most urgent and you would be placed at the top of the list which would get you in before Christmas. Have you seen a Specialist or only your GP regarding your results, as I think a Surgeon is definitely the one to talk to about all of it. My surgeon is private through Freemasons in Victoria, but also works in the Public System. I went private in 2011 and 2015 for lumpectomies and apart from my excess for the year and the Anaesthetist the hospital was covered. I am now scheduled however post Chemo for a mastectomy/reconstruction using my Surgeon plus a Plastic Surgeon and they are putting me through the public system as there will be no cost and he's placed me as Category 2 so within 90 days. I had a recurrence, Grade 2, Stage 3 aggressive, lymph node clearance. I have negative BRCA Gene, and am ER+ only and on Arimidex. If I went private and elected it, Id be out of pocket approx $10,000 inclusive of Anaesthetist whose bill is $4,000 ridiculous!!! So you really need to see a Surgeon to make a choice, public or private and more importantly discuss with confidence your diagnosis, treatment with a reputable Surgeon. Hugs Melinda xo
Hello! Im so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, my question is who has said you need a Mastectomy? did you have surgery already as in a lumpectomy, is that how they got the pathology? or did they ascertain that through a biopsy? For Public Hospitals they have 3 categories, 1 being the most urgent and you would be placed at the top of the list which would get you in before Christmas. Have you seen a Specialist or only your GP regarding your results, as I think a Surgeon is definitely the one to talk to about all of it. My surgeon is private through Freemasons in Victoria, but also works in the Public System. I went private in 2011 and 2015 for lumpectomies and apart from my excess for the year and the Anaesthetist the hospital was covered. I am now scheduled however post Chemo for a mastectomy/reconstruction using my Surgeon plus a Plastic Surgeon and they are putting me through the public system as there will be no cost and he's placed me as Category 2 so within 90 days. I had a recurrence, Grade 2, Stage 3 aggressive, lymph node clearance. I have negative BRCA Gene, and am ER+ only and on Arimidex. If I went private and elected it, Id be out of pocket approx $10,000 inclusive of Anaesthetist whose bill is $4,000 ridiculous!!! So you really need to see a Surgeon to make a choice, public or private and more importantly discuss with confidence your diagnosis, treatment with a reputable Surgeon. Hugs Melinda xo