Hi,In January I moved to Australia from the UK. I received a mammogram checkup letter in the UK so went along to the Queensland Breast Screening service. Yesterday I was told that a calcification in my breast is problematic and I will be receiving advice on Monday which will most likely recommend surgery. I am unsure about the health system in Australia and whilst I have some private health cover (50% with BUPA) I was asked to decide whether or not I would want to use the public system or my private healthcare so that on Monday I can be advised how I will be referred to hospital. I can't seem to find any information which explains how the private/public health system works. I am hoping my GP will call me back but in the meantime, I wondered if anyone had a similar experience, or wouldn't mind sharing advice on what to do/not do in this situation. Thank you, Jan

Everyone has put the 5c in so I will, too! I had full private health cover (but was considering dropping it due to the expense. I went private for surgeon and both ops. My surgeon was understanding about the gap as were his anaesthetists so I paid almost nothing. The hospital was private and I paid $50 per day for 5 days. I'm now doing chemo through a private clinic. There was a gap for the initial consultation with the oncologist - treatment is considered in-patient day surgery so is fully covered. I will have radiation through the public hospital as the health fund covers little if any of this.Also check with your health fund about any prostethics or bras they may cover. You get $400 every 2 years from Medicare for each prosthetic. Your health fund may also cover things such as exercise rehab programs and specialist physio. Also check out GP Health Care Plans for psychological counselling.

Hi @Janie304 I am also from the UK but have been here for 15 years! The health service is basically the same as UK. I went public for all my treatment and tests as no private health. It was all cost free and the care was excellent, all the Drs and nurses were brilliant. I wish you the very best with it all. Take care xox

Hi @Janie304, I've had all my treatment as a public patient at the Royal Brisbane Hospital and cannot complain about anything. Nursing staff excellent, my oncologist is great and my surgeon was ok too . I did six months of chemo then surgery followed by six weeks of radiation. I had a mastectomy. I hope this helps.XO

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Hi @Janie304,I went all public. Had a brilliant surgeon that works both private and public. I was also accepted at a private hospital as a public patient for chemo so I could use their cold cap (our hospital doesn't have them) and did my radiation there as well., Zero costs. I have some friends who have gone all private and have been out of pocket a fortune as they didn't realise their health fund treated theses as outpatient appointments and don't cover them. I also know some that have gone private for the surgery and public for the rest. Seems this is a pretty good option. You get the surgeon you want and don't have to fork out thousands of dollars for chemo and rads if they are needed.The public system for breast cancer in Australia is a pretty well oiled machine. We are very lucky. The only annoying thing with the public system I find is that as you get further down the track with follow up reviews you don't really see your surgeon for those appointments. Just the Reg's. I am thinking about just paying for my next follow up apt privately so I get to see the consultant to answer some questions.I work in the surgical ward of my local public hospital. All our breast surgery patients are given private rooms. Our Nurse manager is very particular about this. It's a question to ask depending on where you go and how you feel about it. The RBH does have an excellent reputation as well. Fingers crossed for your appointment.xoxoxox

Anyone have advice for me on options for surgery? Newly arrived in Australia

Blondy
Member
7 years ago
Hi Janie 304. Sorry such a crappy start to your new life down under. However there is very good care here. I am with bupa and I rang them to see which way I'd go. Went private for surgery and public thereafter. Barely any out of pocket expenses and none of the waiting as in the UK. I'm an ex pom. Good luck with everything.
Clara
Member
7 years ago

Brenda5 said:

HiClara, in regards to hormone therapy there is probably no reason why your doctor can't do a longer script for you to take with you. I know I used to have troubles in my small town getting my brand in every month so my doctor fixed that by writing 60 on my script. Perhaps yours could put 300 or something? It's a thought.

Hi @Brenda5, yes that's a good idea. I can have tablets for 3 months and bring them from Sweden when I move, but I cannot do the same for the ovarian suppression injections since they need to be done by a nurse/GP every 4 weeks. I also need to figure out the costs of MRI, control visits, etc.
I'm slowly gathering these info so hopefully I'll be able to move in september knowing which hospital to go to
Clara
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Janie304, I'm living in Sweden so I was diagnosed and treated there: the system is 100% public and very efficient so the biopsy took long but then I saw the surgeon 1 week after the results and had the surgery the same day. But I know it's usually longer.
Do you know how long you would need to wait with the public way? Maybe you could start the process there and in case it's taking too long, switch to the private system (usually faster I believe?) so you have time to figure out costs and you'll know if it's worth it timewise.
All the best
Brenda5
Member
7 years ago
HiClara, in regards to hormone therapy there is probably no reason why your doctor can't do a longer script for you to take with you. I know I used to have troubles in my small town getting my brand in every month so my doctor fixed that by writing 60 on my script. Perhaps yours could put 300 or something? It's a thought.
Janie304
Member
7 years ago
Thank you. I am going to meet Sally Graham tomorrow morning. Hopefully that will help get me into a better frame of mind to make decisions.
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello Janie304
I am sorry to hear of your dilema. I have attached some links to information regarding public vs private hospital treatment from our website and also a link to the department of health in Queensland. You can look for cancer treatment centres on their website.
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/health-system/services
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/your-medical-team/
Dont hesitate to call our helpline and speak with one of the cancer nurses for further information on 1800 500 258.
Janie304
Member
7 years ago

Gonski said:

Hi @Janie304, I have been treated through the PA at Woolloongabba. Wonderful service, great breast care nurse, I had mastectomy, chemo and now just started reconstruction. No complaints . I've had private health in the past and to b honest not much difference except the financials.. feel free to reach out x

Hi, Thank you for your message. If you don't mind me asking how long did you wait for the public system referral to see a surgeon? And then how long for the first surgery? I probably can't afford the intermediary option and I have now found out that if I do start down that road if I then can't afford it I have to be referred to the public system anyway and start the whole process off again. I just feel like I need to get this started but I know I can't go down a path of tens of thousands of dollars. It is paralysing trying to make decisions and each time I meet with a professional I seem to forget to ask the obvious questions. I prepare well but when they answer the questions I can't seem to think about how to follow up to receive more information.

ps also how do I reply to people with the email as you did to me? I can only see the quote option...technology fail
Gonski
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Janie304, I have been treated through the PA at Woolloongabba. Wonderful service, great breast care nurse, I had mastectomy, chemo and now just started reconstruction. No complaints . I've had private health in the past and to b honest not much difference except the financials.. feel free to reach out x
Janie304
Member
7 years ago

Clara said:

Hi @Janie304, I hope you're well through this difficult time and I'm sure you will be well-taken care of. It is great to hear lots of positive experience about the public system since the private one is very expensive.

I am in a somewhat similar situation since I was supposed to move to Australia in April (I had packed, moved out, searched for an apartment in Sydney with my husband, etc) but I had to cancel everything 2 days before flying when the biopsy results were announced. I'm currently doing radiotherapy and we're still hoping to be able to move to Sydney in September.
But we're trying to figure out the costs of my ongoing hormonal treatment and the follow up checks to know if we could afford it. Since this is a precondition, I won't be able to get cover from any private insurance.

All the best for your treatment. Take care!

Hi Clara, I'm sorry to hear that you are also in a similar position. It is so difficult to work out the options. I had thought intermediate but with only 50% cover this is starting to look unrealistic. Are you in the UK? how long did you wait for treatment? Best wishes, Jannine
Sister
Member
7 years ago
@Giovanna_BCNA or other admin - are you able to point Clara in the right direction to get accurate info and find out exactly what she needs to do to prepare?