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• lillekatt

  

  • 4 posts
  August 10, 2012 2:42:11 PM WATime

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  I had my lumpoctomy this Tuesday at a private hospital. All went very well.  Now I am nervous about two things. one is the result of the pathologist report which decides what treatment I need. Second is the cost for the treatment. I have a basic private hospital cover and receiving separate invoices after the operation which are summing up. I started inclining to  choose to get a treatment as a public patient at a public hospital, which I believe the cost for the treatment will be considerably lower than getting treatment at a private hospital. the difficult part is that I cannot know estimated out of pocket when getting treatment as a private patient. Little extra cost seem to sum up rapidly. Is there anyone who know the cost difference between private hospital and public hospital or private patient and public patient? (I don't even understand the difference between public patient and private patient)

• jojo

  

  • 51 posts
  August 10, 2012 3:03:33 PM WATime

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  I am sure someone can answer your question in more depth than I can.

  My experience was in a public hospital as a public patient. I paid nothing, not a cent. I had surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and physiotherapy and paid nothing out of my pocket at all. I had great service and I cannot fault any of the treatments I had.

  Whether you decide to go private for chemotherapy is completely up to you, but I definately recommend going public if you have radiation therapy as it is a VERY costly treatment and can add up to a substantial amount quickly.

  I wish you all the best with your results and any treatments you may have to have. Love Jo xoxo

  This post was edited by jojo at August 10, 2012 3:03:33 PM WATime"

  Dx May 2005 aged 25, Triple Negative, 25mmx18mmx20mm grade 3 invasive atypical medullary tumour, Axillary Clearance 1/15 lymph nodes positive (sentinal node only), Lumpectomy, Chemotherapy (FEC), Radiotherapy, LB only, now Mama to Patrick born 12/6/2013.

• Glenys

  

  • Moderator
  • 162 posts
  August 10, 2012 3:12:36 PM WATime

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  Hi lillekatt
  I hope you've had an opportunity to read the entries in 'Forums - Breast Cancer Financials - Out of pocket expenses' as many ladies have discussed various aspects about costs - particularly in the private system.
  I have also posted there information about the difference between private and public treatments - I will paste an excerpt here from that:
  
  When receiving any treatment in the private system it's ALWAYS very important to ask about costs involved as the specialists may not be forthcoming with costs incurred and often assume that if you are choosing to have treatment in the private system, you will be aware of extra costs and be prepared to pay for them! Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) can be very expensive if treated privately, even with top private health cover.
  As previously stated, many other costs can add up too – the ‘gap’ bills from hospital stays, the ‘extra’ payments for scans not covered by medicare, the ‘script’ fees when having chemo/medications. Financially this may become a tremendous burden, especially in addition to the very stressful trauma & disruption of having to deal with the diagnosis and treatments!!
  
  You are entitled to receive treatment in the public system, covered by medicare. You may transfer from the private to the public system at any time. Even if you had private surgery or have started treatment privately, you can then transfer to the public sector.
  
  Many people wonder what the difference is, and are concerned they cannot change systems or will suffer detrimentally if they attempt to change from private to public. So what is the difference??
  I will attempt to summarise:
  
  ** - In the public system you are entitled to receive all latest treatments covered by medicare. In Australia this includes all recognised evidence-based treatments approved by medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme [PBS]; and access to current clinical trials conducted by the treating doctors/services. Treatment is delivered by an appointed treating team, which may include the consultant specialist or other senior doctors in the team. Access to treatment is based on urgency, and subject to strict regulations in attempt to ensure cancer treatment is not detrimentally delayed. Some wait-times may occur. When treatment is not considered urgent (e.g. delayed reconstruction, other non-cancer treatments), extended delays may occur.
  
  ** - As a private patient you can choose your Specialist, will see & receive treatment from (or at least directed by) the Consultant, will often have less ‘wait-time’ and can be more selective with dates/times (where fits the Specialist’s schedule), and can have treatment in a private hospital (generally has ‘nicer’ facilities than public hospitals).
  
  ** - As a private patient in a public hospital you have the choice of Specialist and can be treated by the Specialist rather than others in the team.
  
  A public patient is fully covered by medicare (with occasional exception for some items) in a public hospital.
  
  The costs incurred for private treatment will depend on the specific health fund, level of cover, hospital costs/ private consultant costs & ‘gap’ fees, type of treatments, choice of room for hospital stay (single or shared), and many other factors. To determine the costs, always check with each service and your private health fund before treatment commences.
  
  Being treated privately or publicly is a choice subject to financial considerations. To be left in financial hardship can add significant and unnecessary additional stress. To transfer from private to public, or public to private, ask your treating specialist or GP to refer you. **If uncertain about aspects, discuss with your treating doctor, Breast Care Nurse, GP, Social Worker (at your treating hospital) or the Cancer Council (13 11 20). In WA, Breast Cancer Care WA (08 9324 3703) may also be able to help with advice.
  
  Hope this helps lillekatt - please send me a message or post more queries if not clear on anything!
  
  Love Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• lillekatt

  

  • 4 posts
  August 10, 2012 8:09:35 PM WATime

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  This post was edited by lillekatt at August 10, 2012 8:09:35 PM WATime"
• lillekatt

  

  • 4 posts
  August 10, 2012 8:16:15 PM WATime

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  Hi, Glenys, Thank you so much for the all details about how different systems work in Australia! What you wrote is very important for all of us. I never could find such information on official web sites such as NSW gov site, breast cancer centre's web site...

  I started to be little worried and stressed when different bills started to arrive when I came back from the hospital and wondering what it was going to be when treatment started! There are lots of other thins that I have to worry about. I think I'll ask for a treatment at public hospital as a public patient. I'll ask for RNSH. In fact my breast surgeon who operated me works at RNSH as well. It was very confusing. In the room where I received cancer diagnos, I asked if they could recommend me a doctor and they gave me a doctor's name. Also they asked me if I had a private health insurance. When I noticed I was a privatge patient at private hospital. My breast doctor is very good. I'm happy that I was in her good hand and everything went on good and quick! But it'll be a long term treatment and I have to think about financial matter even it is about my life.

  This post was edited by lillekatt at August 10, 2012 8:16:15 PM WATime"
• Bazz

  

  • 7 posts
  August 10, 2012 8:45:43 PM WATime

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  we have top hospital , and ancillary you cant buy anymore , its that good . We are and have been from the start in the public system and we will stay there . Privste health cover is for elective surgery . If you have anything life threatening go public . My thoughts x
• louise1952

  

  • 8 posts
  August 11, 2012 12:27:42 PM WATime

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  I had top cover private and was talked into going private. I wish I hadn't. Even though a lot was covered, what wasn't soon added up. The chemo drugs had a cost to me of around $140 each time and the radiation although mostly covered, had to be paid first before claiming back. It was finding the initial payments that really did me in and the gap. I did have two private hospital stays during chemo which were covered but again it was the drugs which cost me a fortune.
  I would like to think I would go public if there is a next time round (hopefully not) but I have such a great team that know me and I would hate to lose them. If I were you I'd go public. Cheeers Louise,

  DXJUN11, LOBC grade2 2 tumours 16 of 20 lymph infect. LB mastec, chemo FEC & Taxotere, 25 Radiation t'ments

• lillekatt

  

  • 4 posts
  August 11, 2012 8:58:17 PM WATime

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  Thank you Bazz and Louisw1952. I am so glad that I posted here about my concern and found real answers. I know what to ask my doctor  on Tuesday.

  This post was edited by lillekatt at August 11, 2012 8:58:17 PM WATime"
• Ness

  

  • 81 posts
  September 10, 2012 4:40:59 PM WATime

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  You may find more information about how people have managed the financial challenges of treatments etc under the Forum topic of 'Breast Cancer Financials' on this page of the Click:
  http://www.breastcancerclick.com.au/forums/18/breast-cancer-financials

  The Click Project Coordinator
  

  Daughter-in-law and niece of breast cancer "thrivers"!