Out of pocket in the private

Hello @ara - I was first diagnosed in June 2011, masectomy and lymph nodes, diagnosed metastatic. I have herceptin every three weeks and this week its no. 123. Throughout this time there have been heart scans, CT scans, MRI's, a couple of minor surgeries, x15 radiation 'zaps', physiotherapy for cording and appts with oncologist every few months. In discussion with my GP I decided to go public and to date I have only paid for parking. You will appreciate I have never regretted my decision - I cannot fault the care.

Hi @JennyD78 thank you for the insight.

Hi @ara It depends on where in NSW you are but quite a few public hospitals offer free radiotherapy.  Here in Newcastle, the Mater Hospital does it and I know a few people who had theirs done there and had no problem with it.  One of them had done her chemo and surgery in a private hospital but it was no problem to go public for the radio.

Hi @Abbydog, same situation with me. However, I am very shocked with the perioperative nurse assistant because I got a bill of $500 from her and when I asked how she come up with the amount she adjusted to $442 which for me still a little bit much.

I think that my breast surgeon charged a gap just under $400, which didn't seem too bad. I expected a gap bill from the Anaethetist, but never received one. There was my hospital excess of $250. So luckily my excess is paid for the rest of the year. I had an Infusaport put in by the same surgeon, with no gap.
My surgeon and Oncologist both recommended Public system for Radiotherapy, for cost.
I have been very happy so far with my medical advice and costs.
The same can't be said for the tests leading in to full diagnosis, mammogram, ultrasound, whole body bone scan and CT scans all had gaps.
However the speed at which I was diagnosed and treated was quick. 10 days from finding the lump to Mastectomy

thank you @Shellshocked2018_

Ara I’m in SA, you do have a choice to go public or private.
Someone else I knew who was having Radiotherapy at the same time had out of pocket expenses, not quite sure what is was, I know they were doing a good deal at that time to encourage people to go private. We both had the same doctors and nurses, I think she was able to get free car parking at the hospital.
Hopefully someone on this forum from NSW will be able to assist you with your question.

Good luck x

thank you all for your reply. since being diagnosed with cancer thats the only thing in my mind most of time that i forgot the financial aspect. i was thinking since its not elective they will just gladly waive the fee or the gap but its not the case.

I am just wondering anyone in nsw that does radiotherapy and was bulk billed?

Hi Ara, I went through the public system  for all of my surgery, treatment and radiotherapy.
All my surgery was done in the private sector and recovery was also private.
I definitely have no complaints at all.
The three times that I was admitted into hospital during treatment , I was in the public hospital but with my own room each time. Fortunately for me my Oncologist was the one working every time I was admitted. I was really happy with my whole treatment.

Wishing you the best for your recovery, sending hugs x

Hello @ara, I hope you are recovering well.
I just want to let you know that going 'public' at no cost is also a good option as we have such a high standard of healthcare. I was a public patient for surgery and radiotherapy, and have no complaints. As a public medical oncology patient, however, I have been less impressed. You could certainly save money, if it's of concern, by going public for radiotherapy.