Forum Discussion
Feel in limbo
HI , just need some advise as I don't know or who to ask with what comes next. I was told to wait for a phone call! I had my breast lumpectomy 3 weeks ago, 10 days later I have seen the doctors f...
That's a start, Sheryn. Going private with a medical oncologist will mean paying a fee for each visit. The gap between what they charge and what Medicare gives you back seems to vary from @$120 - $160. I'm sure they have already told you what it will be. If you are going to struggle with that, change back to the public system once you find your feet.
Chemo costs are the same--zero--whether you are public or private. You will have to pay for your discharge medications in both cases. That can be quite pricey. Don't use the hospital pharmacy if you can avoid it. They have to charge the PBS price for all meds while retail pharmacy can set their own price. For example, Endone at the hospital is $21.40, at Chem Warehouse it is $7.40. Go figure.
The big difference between public and private charges starts to be an issue when you get to surgery. Worry about that later but there is lots of good advice to be had here about the gap payments. Marg.
Chemo costs are the same--zero--whether you are public or private. You will have to pay for your discharge medications in both cases. That can be quite pricey. Don't use the hospital pharmacy if you can avoid it. They have to charge the PBS price for all meds while retail pharmacy can set their own price. For example, Endone at the hospital is $21.40, at Chem Warehouse it is $7.40. Go figure.
The big difference between public and private charges starts to be an issue when you get to surgery. Worry about that later but there is lots of good advice to be had here about the gap payments. Marg.