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
I'm quite saddened to read these posts. I thought (obviously incorrectly!) that there was something called "Informed Financial Consent" in Australia that meant that doctors and hospitals were supposed to notify you - preferably in writing - an estimate of what your out of pocket expenses were likely to be prior to you agreeing to treatment. I also thought they were supposed to advise you of other options ie public hospitals.
My doctors and hospital all gave me (mostly written) estimates of my costs. I am always given a quote before I have any scans and most of the time I have been bulk billed even though I have gone private for all my treatment so far.
The only time I have felt any pressure at all is with the mammogram/ultrasound/tomosynthesis where I was told the mammogram and ultrasound could be bulk billed but the tomosynthesis was $150. I was reminded very strongly that the mammogram I had a few months before I found my lump did not detect it and so it would be a big risk not to have the tomosynthesis.
I agreed but I wondered how someone who couldn't afford the $150 would feel being told that?
My doctors and hospital all gave me (mostly written) estimates of my costs. I am always given a quote before I have any scans and most of the time I have been bulk billed even though I have gone private for all my treatment so far.
The only time I have felt any pressure at all is with the mammogram/ultrasound/tomosynthesis where I was told the mammogram and ultrasound could be bulk billed but the tomosynthesis was $150. I was reminded very strongly that the mammogram I had a few months before I found my lump did not detect it and so it would be a big risk not to have the tomosynthesis.
I agreed but I wondered how someone who couldn't afford the $150 would feel being told that?