Forum Discussion
Bone Density Medicare rebate...... or lack thereof
I haven't logged in here for a while.
I've just had a bone density scan today, in preparation for review with my medical oncologist soon. Just a review, as, like many others I'm on an aromitase inhibitor. My particular poison is exemestane.
As many of you will know, in spite of the knowledge that these medications are known to cause a reduction in bone density, there is no medicare rebate for us, unless we have another risk factor for osteoporosis which does make us elligible for a rebate.
WhencI was looking for osteopaenia and osteoporosis information recently (a whole other issue why I was even doing that) I came across the attached document.
Imagine my surprise then, to note that there IS a medicare rebate available for dexa scans for men being treated with androgen deprivation therapy (similar to our own hormone suppression of o oestrogen) for prostate cancer.
Was anyone else aware of this? Are you like me in being quite incredulous?
I've just had a bone density scan today, in preparation for review with my medical oncologist soon. Just a review, as, like many others I'm on an aromitase inhibitor. My particular poison is exemestane.
As many of you will know, in spite of the knowledge that these medications are known to cause a reduction in bone density, there is no medicare rebate for us, unless we have another risk factor for osteoporosis which does make us elligible for a rebate.
WhencI was looking for osteopaenia and osteoporosis information recently (a whole other issue why I was even doing that) I came across the attached document.
Imagine my surprise then, to note that there IS a medicare rebate available for dexa scans for men being treated with androgen deprivation therapy (similar to our own hormone suppression of o oestrogen) for prostate cancer.
Was anyone else aware of this? Are you like me in being quite incredulous?
20 Replies
- Sounds like a 43 to me! 🤓
- Thanks for that, @MvB I think I was about 45 when I realised 'something' was going on ..... so I am guessing I would have been peri menopause for at least a year or 2 before ..... or are you supposed to be 'finished menopause' before 45 to qualify?
Definitely worth remembering tho, for the form! - You normally get a form to fill out before the scan. I have sometimes forgotten my age at menopause because I went through a fairly drawn out phase of stop/then start again. @arpie I think though any age before 45 is classed as “early” - so when I have put this down I have had the Medicare rebate. But not when I say 45. Cheers
- I was sent to have mine done at the local public hospital and was not charged a cent. How did my oncologist manage that?
- WTF?? Yet another where men are given preferential treatment over women??
Surely Androgen deprivation therapy is on par with oestrogen deprivation therapy?
So we have to wait til we are over 70 before getting a rebate?
Maybe my arthritis is rheumatoid?
How early is 'early menopause'? Mine was age 45 - Oh I can believe it. The kicker for me was you an get a free scan if you’re on HRT but not if they are inhibiting hormones! Make sense of that one. Particularly given inhibitors make us more susceptible to fractures
this is one that needs addressing - my bone density is covered because I have had fractures of Spine and arm
- I am not remotely surprised but nonetheless furious.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/how-sexism-is-hindering-medical-research-20180206-h0uy60.html
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/the-other-healthcare-gap-affecting-women-20180611-p4zkqs.html
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/why-is-it-so-hard-to-believe-a-woman-in-pain-20180405-p4z7zb.html
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/the-surreal-things-women-do-to-have-their-pain-taken-seriously-20180220-h0wct8.html
The list goes on. Studied and proved over and over again the world over.
I know many medical decisions are rooted in the financial realities. But SURELY we could hope for gender equity in the things that get subsidised and the things that don't?? Apparently not. Deeply depressing. - Hmmm. Free bone testing for over 70s (highest risk generally!) has been reduced from every two years to every five years. Someone explain the logic of that to me!
- I am both incredulous and not. Breast cancer is a women's disease (and I don't mean that men don't get it) and we know that we are treated as if our needs are not as important. Even more so as we get older.
