Diggerman Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Hello all! Im 27years old, and had a medical for a new mining job this week. My new employers doctor suggested i get a mole on my back looked at, as it looked dodgy. I then went to my local medical centre and saw a gp. (in Hilarys) The GP said i have Malignant Melanoma Mole on my back and it urgently needs to be removed in the next few days. It cost $75 for him to look at it. Now what do i do next? i have basic health insurance from the UK. Im here on a 417 temporay visa. do i apply for a medicare card? I rang my insurance and they said being a UK citizen, i will get treated for free at a public hosiptal if i show my passport. Im sure the medical centre isnt public, and the gp said i need to ring a plastic surgen on tuesday and book an appointment asap, or if they cant book me in next week, he will remove it, but it wont look as good once it has healed. (im not bothered, its on the middle of my back, not my face!) Any advice please? Thanks for your time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 You are definitely entitled to Reciprocal Medicare so go and get that sorted asap. We went in and got a number straightaway (whilst we waited for the card) incase we needed anything doing before the card arrived. I think you need to clarify whether it is public or private. If you posted the name on here someone might know? It's good that this has been picked up for you and hope it's removed quickly and causes you no further issues. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wellers and Whitehead Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Follow the advice you have been given, eg.plastic surgeon and ask how much this will cost you and any other questions you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 You really should have applied for a Medicare card as soon as you arrived in Australia. I think you should have this mole removed ASAP and worry about the administrative/insurance/Medicare stuff later. Possibly/probably, you can claim for any Medicare benefits later if you keep your invoices. Take a look at this page for information regarding Medicare and arriving in Australia as a migrant. http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/medicare/medicare-card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie 2 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 If it enters your blood stream prognosis is not good. Get it removed NOW no matter how much it costs you. Had one removed from my thigh, local anaesthetic and no plastic surgeon - can't see the scar. Can't remember the cost it was a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest17301 Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 If the GP thinks it may be melanoma he really should be referring you on to someone himself I would say...get it biopsied quickly, register at medicare next week, the specialists should guide you on what to do next...its not your job to arrange a plastics consult its his I would say...maybe go back to another GP who is skilled in minor surgery and get it done next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKC Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Just get it done asap and sort out the medicare thing afterwards if you don't have the time. When you go in to Medicare, take your passport and visa, evidence of your address etc with you. They should be able to print out a little ticket thing with your medicare number on to use until your card arrives, so you should be able to get it sorted out there and then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tickled Pink Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 As has already been said, if this does turn out to be what the doc has suggested, get it sorted fast. To be honest, if it were me, I'd be less concerned about a scar, more concerned about being alive to worry about any scar later on! Get it sorted and worry about money later, easier said than done maybe, but better that than the possible consequences... And just to add, if a doctor is more worried about what healthcare cover you do/don't have, or have/have not registered for than getting something potentially life threatening sorted, I would leave and find another clinician. There are plenty to choose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 If the GP takes it out there is always a chance they will need to go in for more if the borders aren't clean - but this maybe the case anyway. It's also not just the 'pretty' you have to worry about. You also have to consider freedom of movement and recovery times. Sometimes they do need to remove a fair bit of surrounding skin and it can be restrictive. But whatever you do - do it soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggerman Posted October 1, 2012 Author Share Posted October 1, 2012 hey, cheers for the replys, i was supposed to sign for my new company on tuesday, then fly out on wednesday for 4weeks. but il have to let them know now that i have it tuesday morning. I will be applying for the medicare card tues aswell. Can i 'turn up' at a hospital with my passport and get looked at for free? I went to Hilarys Medical centre to get to looked at. I live in Marmion. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I'm not sure how hospitals work. Apart from A & E, you often need to make appointments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freckleface Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 hey, cheers for the replys, i was supposed to sign for my new company on tuesday, then fly out on wednesday for 4weeks. but il have to let them know now that i have it tuesday morning. I will be applying for the medicare card tues aswell. Can i 'turn up' at a hospital with my passport and get looked at for free? I went to Hilarys Medical centre to get to looked at. I live in Marmion. thanks If I was in your shoes I would contact the specialist the GP referred you to rather than go to Accident and Emergency at the hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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