Forum Discussion
Public vs private cost info
Hi everyone :) I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Dec 7 and had a lumpectomy through a private hospital on the 15th. It all happened very fast and I am new to Australia so was trying to get my head...
Hi @mellymell
I’m in Melbourne too and was diagnosed around the same time as you.
I have private insurance too but I went public for my surgery (also a lumpectomy) at St Vincent’s. I was diagnosed through Breastscreen at St Vincent’s and met one of the breast surgeons who operated at both St Vincent’s Public and St Vincent’s Private. I really liked her but she was booked out in Private so I went Public- she was one of 3 excellent breast surgeons at St Vincent’s and she was the one who did my surgery! I had incredible care from all the team at St Vincent’s - you are assessed by the MDT. There were no costs for my surgery and stay in hospital. Also no costs for scans, biopsies etc. pre surgery.
I’m in Melbourne too and was diagnosed around the same time as you.
I have private insurance too but I went public for my surgery (also a lumpectomy) at St Vincent’s. I was diagnosed through Breastscreen at St Vincent’s and met one of the breast surgeons who operated at both St Vincent’s Public and St Vincent’s Private. I really liked her but she was booked out in Private so I went Public- she was one of 3 excellent breast surgeons at St Vincent’s and she was the one who did my surgery! I had incredible care from all the team at St Vincent’s - you are assessed by the MDT. There were no costs for my surgery and stay in hospital. Also no costs for scans, biopsies etc. pre surgery.
I will continue my treatment at St Vincent’s- radiotherapy, hormone therapy and possibly chemotherapy.
In my view, we are incredibly lucky in Australia to have an excellent public health system and the big teaching hospitals are excellent. I feel very comfortable with my decision.
Good luck making your decisions 😊
Good luck making your decisions 😊