Emotions and costs of BC
Since the initial shock of diagnosis I have had so many emotions and many new ones and unfortunately many old ones. Something that has bothered me from Day one is the feeling that we, newly diagnosed...
Forum Discussion
@sandramj, breast cancer diagnosis and going through the treatment has brought up a bundle of emotions for me, and I can definitely say that anger is one of them. I am currently seeing a psychologist through the public hospital cancer centre, even though I am mostly going through the private system.
The change to my life, ability to work, surgery options, mortality and many other issues have become such issues that I had to see someone to work through them for my own sanity.
My breast surgeon and oncologist often request bulk billing for me, and have done so for the bone and body scans, and just recently for echocardiogram and liver and chest CT scans.
I will have to pay for the breast MRI.
I did have approx $3,000 out of pockets for my lumpectomy surgery with breast reduction at the same time, and have to go back for a mastectomy so will probably have that again.
The surgeon and anaethetist who put my portacath in billed Medicare and my health fund direct, there were no out of pocket expenses.
I agree, when you are diagnosed you just want the bloody thing taken out, shopping around for the best price is not a priority, getting fast help from a highly regarded surgeon is.
Ask about bulk billing when you are being given referrals for the scans and tests.
My Oncologist has also mentioned that he can request bulk billing from the private radiation provider though I have yet to test that offer, and will switch to public if it is not an option.
I don't know which health fund you are in, but my fund covers all "in hospital" expenses after the $500 excess has been paid. That doesn't include the surgeon, anaethetist or pathology for the breast surgery though. They wanted the excess paid up front but nothing else.
Hoping you can find some satisfactory answers to your problems and ways to minimise the additional stress of finances to add to your worries.
Jennie
The change to my life, ability to work, surgery options, mortality and many other issues have become such issues that I had to see someone to work through them for my own sanity.
My breast surgeon and oncologist often request bulk billing for me, and have done so for the bone and body scans, and just recently for echocardiogram and liver and chest CT scans.
I will have to pay for the breast MRI.
I did have approx $3,000 out of pockets for my lumpectomy surgery with breast reduction at the same time, and have to go back for a mastectomy so will probably have that again.
The surgeon and anaethetist who put my portacath in billed Medicare and my health fund direct, there were no out of pocket expenses.
I agree, when you are diagnosed you just want the bloody thing taken out, shopping around for the best price is not a priority, getting fast help from a highly regarded surgeon is.
Ask about bulk billing when you are being given referrals for the scans and tests.
My Oncologist has also mentioned that he can request bulk billing from the private radiation provider though I have yet to test that offer, and will switch to public if it is not an option.
I don't know which health fund you are in, but my fund covers all "in hospital" expenses after the $500 excess has been paid. That doesn't include the surgeon, anaethetist or pathology for the breast surgery though. They wanted the excess paid up front but nothing else.
Hoping you can find some satisfactory answers to your problems and ways to minimise the additional stress of finances to add to your worries.
Jennie