Hey Janny!!
Whoa!!! well I think we can all totally relate to the entire situation! I had BC 5yrs ago DCIS, I was already however in the system at Freemasons yearly checkups since 36 as my Mum had BC at 40 but no other family history. I had to have surgery too, and radiation. Now I have private health cover and NIB too. BUT...for radiation it cost me nothing...I went public for that as its no different. Last year I had a recurrence in the same spot! inspite of radiation and tamoxifen of 4yrs. Another Surgery, and my only out of pocket was my excess and yes the Anaesthetist they are CROOKS!!! did you know most charge 3 times over the scheduled fee???!!! and correct thats why you get nothing back. I too had to have Gene Test this year and $900 out of pocket. WRONG!!! on so many levels when Id already had breast cancer and didnt qualify for 'Their' criteria. Ridiculous! I too have an amazing Surgeon who thinks of everything!! so I am now facing a mastectomy/reconstruction, he also works through public too, so he sent me to a Plastic Surgeon who works with him. So the Plastic Surgeon sends me a quote no joke $9000 stating Id get back about $3,900 BUT THEN the Anaesthetist was $600/hr x 6hrs for my surgery so going private I literally would be out of pocket nearly $10,000 JOKE!! so...I have THE best Surgeons but going public and Im Category 1 urgent but because of Christmas I said 2 is fine which puts me in a 90 day bracket. I will have NO out of pocket. So you are correct. I do have to say, im glad for my health cover I wouldnt be without it, but where you can go public. Im infuriated to be honest, I DON'T ELECT TO HAVE A MASTECTOMY/RECONSTRUCTION, its NOT A BOOB JOB!!! yet most health funds deem it that way!
So definitely do your homework!! And know, from your diagnosis what you have shared, you are super early :) which is great! Big hugs you will get through it!! Melinda xo
