Forum Discussion

LibbyA's avatar
LibbyA
Member
6 years ago

Testing question

My 44 year old daughter has been treated at Wesley Brisbane for cysts in her breasts for years. Now they have found something suspicious in her breast and want to do MRI.  She’s had them before but this one needs to be done at a particular time of the month, and she’s had her uterus removed so no periods.  They said if it’s not the right time, they will repeat it.   She can no longer afford all this. She rang breastscreen and they said all they can do is book a mammogram for October, which is twelve months since her last one ( when Wesley found this lump).   Her GP said she needs the MRI but can’t order a bulk billed one.   Does anyone know where she goes from here.  Neither of us want her to wait till October.  She will pay for one MRI if needed but can’t do much more than one.
costs
mri
tests
  • KarynJ's avatar
    KarynJ
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @LibbyA. I had an MRI bulk billed thru Uniting Care medical imaging at St Andrews hospital in Brisbane. However it was on my spine and not my breasts. I don't know if there are different rules for bulk billing on different areas but you could give them a call and ask.
    In regards to her cycle if she has no uterus does she still have her ovaries? Because at her age they are still likely to be releasing oestrogen at various times. I suspect the only way to work this out would be repeated blood tests to measure her hormone levels. And then plan an MRI date from there.
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    6 years ago
    It’s not breast cancer clinic. It’s just general breast clinic.  The letter she got said it is to be done at the right time of her cycle, which she can’t work out anyway, and at the clinic and it will cost $780. Last one she got $120 back from Medicare.
  • youngdogmum's avatar
    youngdogmum
    Member
    6 years ago
    Does she not see a breast surgeon at the Wesley? They should be able to order it and make it free. Otherwise try qld X-ray they are relatively affordable (mine was $400 whereas I’ve heard others close to $1000) 
  • LibbyA's avatar
    LibbyA
    Member
    6 years ago
    You’d think the clinic would have a specialist do the order forms then. Seems like a money making venture, as they have to be done there as well. Trouble is it’s too dangerous to ignore.
  • Blossom1961's avatar
    Blossom1961
    Member
    6 years ago
    Supposedly if a specialist orders your MRI it is free, but not if it is a GP. My BS ordered my MRI twice before I even started treatment and I paid zilch.