Gap for 3D mammograms and ultrasounds
I live on the Gold Coast and was diagnosed with breast cancer 2016, following surgery and radiotherapy all ok (I think) for follow up now with mammograms and ultrasounds for 5 years (I think), I have dense breasts so 3D mammograms or MRI preferably are best. My surgeon refers me to Womens Imaging SCR, Southport and it is $220 out of pocket, I have found the same thing (3D) at Gold Coast Private Hospital, Queensland X-ray no gap at all for pension or HCC. The costs certainly build up with a breast cancer diagnosis. MRI $500 no rebate, what is this?? why no rebate. People shown to have dense breasts should have MRI rebated. My daughter aged 40 was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the form of Paget's disease of the nipple, she had a normal mammogram, normal ultrasound to investigate flaking of the nipple 9 months later punch biopsy showed Paget's. Paget's disease of the breast almost always has an underlying tumour somewhere in the breast which she had and was only picked up on an MRI, both her cancer and my cancer (which are apparently unrelated) showed up on MRI but because we don't fit the Medicare criteria for a rebate we were $500 each out of pocket. Check out the criteria for rebatable MRI on the Medicare website, strange to say the least. Anyway good news is I found a no gap 3D mammogram and ultrasound. After watching the ABC last night I thought I would share this good news!!!