Has anyone here had treatment in Maitland Private or Maitland Public Hospitals?
Financial constraints are pushing me towards the Public System but we do have Private Health Insurance so could go Private but the out of pocket expenses are huge or unknown.
SYLV1E I don't have experience with either hospital but has anyone raised the option to go private in the public system with you?
How these things work is over my head but some surgeons may provide it so that there are no, or little, out of pocket expenses. The personal value of that option may vary depending on expected length of hospital stay etc.
I hadn’t thought of going private in a public hospital but will check into it. Thanks.
I had shoulder surgery at Maitland Private 12+ years ago & it was excellent.
You should be able to ask your surgeon for written quotes on both hospitals, so that you can see the actual costs - and plan for them.
I went private with my surgeon (my surgery was 2 days after I saw him!) and I knew there was a fair sized gap to pay - but he was the best & I had the best aesthetic outcome too.
(I went to Sydney for it & never regretted it.) My surgeon is the the Head of Surgery at Westmead Cancer Institute and an associate clinical professor at the University of Sydney, where he teaches.
All the best xx
I’ve been to the Maitland Private hospital a couple of times over the years and they are lovely there.
i saw my surgeon yesterday and my options are Maitland Public Hospital in 4 or 6 weeks as she only works there every second Thursday, or, Warners Bay Private Hospital next Wednesday.
My dilemma is, if I go to the public hospital, I can have my radiotherapy at a local private clinic through the public system so will be bulk billed. If I go through the private hospital, I’m then classed as a private patient, and I will be considered a private patient at the local radiotherapy clinic and the out of pocket costs will be between $600 and $3,500.
I can go to the public radiotherapy clinic and be bulk billed but it’s a 45 minute drive each way. I have several other chronic pain issues, fibromyalgia, bulging discs in my neck, spinal fusion in lumbar spine and osteoarthritis to top it all off. I will be in absolute agony just on day one let alone five days a week for however many weeks it will be.
I’m screwed whichever way I go.
SYLV1E
I had my surgery done in a private hospital (with a gap that I'd been quoted, so was aware of it - my op was 2 days after I'd seen him!) If you can 'do' next week for your op - DO IT xx
Then I had my radiation in the public system at Port Macquarie. I was able to stay at their 'Rotary Lodge' for minimal cost during my 4 weeks of treatment. It was an hour+ each way, if I drove - and I seriously didn't want to do that as my husband had dementia & I couldn't leave him at home alone, so I took him with me! :)
So don't worry about switching between the two - public & private.
If anyone says you can't - they are fibbing.
Have you signed up for IPTAAS yet? They have a 'culmulative kms' over a period of time too where you can claim fuel costs .... and they will also assist with accommodation costs (but not all.)
Where abouts (roughly) is the public radiotherapy clinic you might attend? THEY should be able to advise you where clients are able to stay during their treatment. xx
IF you have family and/or friends living nearby - you can even stay with THEM and also be paid 'some' accommodation costs (not as much), that you can then pass on to them as a 'thank you'.
The actual 'radiation treatment' only takes about 15mins .... sometimes the 'setting you up' might take about the same!
Is it the driving that will cause you pain (with your other issues :( ) Is someone able to drive you there?
Take care & all the best xx
