i cant believe it i pay $300 a month for private health insurance and i have to pay around $5000 out of pocket expenses for my surgery and they want it up front ..... so in other words if you don't have the money you just have to not have the reconstruction when i called the health insurance about it they said that they pay 100% of the government scheduled fee so the doctor must be charging over and above and the surgeon said that the government and health insurance don't pay the scheduled fee recommended by the national health so who knows all i know is its not fair to us woman when all we want is to get rid of this cancer and have our bodies as much back to as normal as possible .......i don't think its fair do you shaz

Another test!! Have a you got a friend in a local member. Maybe you could have a chat but at the end of the day Sharon it is only bloody money. I know it is hard sometimes to find money but please don't stress about it. If you have to pay it so be it - on the positive side you will be able to claim it back on your tax. Please let it go and think about getting well and "back to your new normal". My husband and I don't have an abundance of money - like most people - but we now look at it exactly as it is - just money - paper only. Take care XLeonie

Hi Shaz, That's so unfair and yes,health funds are a rip off.You know what makes me mad is all this "pink"fund raising that goes on and we don't benefit from any of it.Apart from this bcna site and the Mcgrath nurses(which are both fantastic) where does all the other "pink"money go?It would be put to good use on us poor buggers that need wigs and reconstructions.I suppose a lot goes on research but it ain't helping cos more women than ever are getting this horrible cancer.This whole breast cancer ride is unfair Shaz-what can I say? Put it on the credit card and clock up a heap of flier points and then go on a free holiday when you are better! luv Tonya xx

thanks girls its not that i cant afford it it just shocked me 10 days before surgery what if i didn't have it

Yes I face the same out of pocket expenses. My level of Health cover did not cover reconstruction costs so I would have to pay out of my own pocket. Rather than go private some and public some So I decided to go public for the whole lot.. Not a regret in the world. I was diagnose with BC on 16/9/2010. Had a bilateral masectomy, and reconstruction with tissue expanders on 4/11/2010. The 6 week wait was due to the fact that had a problem with bleeding and bruising easy, that they decided it was better to have two surgeons operating on me to perform my masectomy then the plastic surgeon came in for his bit. Considering I had 3 surgeons to tie times together, I only waited 6 weeks for my operation. I think that was fantastic waiting time. In between those 6 weeks I had so many other tests in relation to my blood and MRI. (oh my god imagine what the extra cost would of been for an extra surgeon if i went private) After the operation I recover for 5 weeks and began having my tissues expa?nder?s expanded? to the size ??I? ?wanted. ??????????? ?????Which is only the original size of my breasts. The Tissue expandeers stay expanded at this size fo 3 months.?? ??I? ?h?a?d? ?m?y? ?l?a?s?t? ?e?x?p?a?n?s?i?o?n? ?o?n? ?1?7?/?1?2?/?2?0?1?0? ?a?n?d? ?b?e?g?a?n? ????????chemotherapy on 24/12/2010. I ?finish ?my chemotherapy and? ?now ??g?o? ?b?a?c?k? ?t?o? ?s?e?e??? ?p???l??a?s?t?i?c ?????? ?????????????s????u??r?g?e??o?n? ?t?o?m?o?r?r?o?w? ?t?o? ?b?o?o?k? ?i?n? ????o?p?e?r?a?t?i?o?n? ?f?o?r? ?i?n?s?e?r?t?i?o?n??? ??????o????f? ?s?i?l?i?c?o?n? ?i?m?p?l?a?n?t?s?. I have not paid one cent for any of my operations or treatments. I have had excellent care and staff were great. All of this done within 3 months of diagnosis. Yes I agree what do i pay private for it there such a big out of pocket costs. Good luck with all operation. Dot

Woops I done all of this within 6 months.

i'm shocked | BCNA Online Network

20 Replies

chemostyle
Member
15 years ago
Very happy but surprise regarding DOT has her breast reconstruction done with Public route.

When i was going through Chemo, I call my plastic surgeon my "happy doctor". As I went private through the whole journey - it was a choice - but it was also a very costly expense!

I've asked my plastic surgeon who also works in public (NSW), how many reconstuctions does public perform ... I was also shock by the answer ... "very very little and close to NON".    I felt gradeful that I had the choice to have reconstruction, but there's lot out there will not have that choice.

Yes it is only money, and yes it helps with my confidence ... but I felt that the government needs to do more ....

Dot ... what state are you in?
chemostyle
Member
15 years ago
Very happy but surprise regarding DOT has her breast reconstruction done with Public route.

When i was going through Chemo, I call my plastic surgeon my "happy doctor". As I went private through the whole journey - it was a choice - but it was also a very costly expense!

I've asked my plastic surgeon who also works in public (NSW), how many reconstuctions does public perform ... I was also shock by the answer ... "very very little and close to NON".    I felt gradeful that I had the choice to have reconstruction, but there's lot out there will not have that choice.

Yes it is only money, and yes it helps with my confidence ... but I felt that the government needs to do more ....

Dot ... what state are you in?
Netti1999
Member
15 years ago
Hi Again

Seems like there is no set way in this country at all, all states seem to have a different system. Still not sure what im doing - private or public, although I dread the thought of going to the same public hospital as I had my lumpectomy, (was a bit scary) but im sure there is not alot of difference hospital to hospital its the surgeon and oncologist that matters.
Netti1999
Member
15 years ago
Hi Again

Seems like there is no set way in this country at all, all states seem to have a different system. Still not sure what im doing - private or public, although I dread the thought of going to the same public hospital as I had my lumpectomy, (was a bit scary) but im sure there is not alot of difference hospital to hospital its the surgeon and oncologist that matters.
Netti1999
Member
15 years ago
Hi Again

Seems like there is no set way in this country at all, all states seem to have a different system. Still not sure what im doing - private or public, although I dread the thought of going to the same public hospital as I had my lumpectomy, (was a bit scary) but im sure there is not alot of difference hospital to hospital its the surgeon and oncologist that matters.
FranP
Member
15 years ago
HI SHAZ. WOW TALK ABOUT RIP OFF. I WENT PUBLIC FOR MY PARTIAL MASTECTOMY AND AXILLARY CLEARANCE THEN CHEMO AT WANGARATTA AND RADIATION AT PETER MAC IN BENTLIEGH I DIDNT NEED RECONSTRUCTION BUT HAVE ONE BOOB HALF THE SIZE OF THE OTHER MAKES GETTING CLOSES AND BRA'S INTERESTING.

ITS WOMEN LIKE YOU MAKE ME SO PROUD YOU ARE AMAZING GIRL.

AND TO YOU HUSBAND WE COULDNT DO IT WITH OUT THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT.
Leonie_Moore
Member
15 years ago
How I wish Australian states worked the same way with all treatment. I am in Queensland and will be having my chemo at a Private Hospital. My husband was terrified about what the cost would be. I have spoken to the staff - the chemo is free. All other drugs ie anti nausea have to be paid for - about $100 upfront on the first session. All the physicans are free. All we have to pay for is whatever our medical fund doesn't ie I have a co-payment of $50 a day (total limit of $250/year). Because I am seeing my medical oncologist at this private hospital, I will have to pay him as well. Not too much at all. I wanted to stay with this private hospital as this is where my surgeon works and it is close to my home.I hope it all works okay for you. XLeonie PS maybe this is something that our wonderful BCNA staff could take on. My quality background working overtime - I like everything universal and in order!!!!!!
sharon_robertso
Member
15 years ago
hi netti

i hope its all works out for you hun try to keep your chin up

shaz
Netti1999
Member
15 years ago
Hi Dot42, you answered everything that I was looking for from this site, I wanted to know about expense involved in a reconstruction and all the details of it and I think you answered most of that in your post. Wonder if most reconstruction surgeons will operate in a public hospital. That is the part that keeps me awake at night is wondering how to pay for all the surgery. I am due to have a bilateral masectomy and reconstruction but I too would be willing to wait if I had to pay less. You are all right it is wrong, I was so shocked when I received my first 2 $500 bills for my chemo drugs, surely that should be covered, no one had ever mentioned I would have to pay for the drugs in a public hospital. Yes its just money but when you cant work because of treatment and your husband has to take time off to be by your side and you have to pay someone to watch your kids it all adds up. Sorry about the negaative vibes hope everyone good. thanks
Dot42
Member
15 years ago
Woops I done all of this within 6 months.

Forum Discussion

i'm shocked

20 Replies

Recent Discussions

Microcalcification biopsy

Genomic testing or skip the test

Maitland Public or Private Hospitals?

Short stabbing pain

🗣️🩺Cancer Australia invites your participation in the Optimal Care Pathway (OCP) templates

Disclaimer: