TraxFM Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Hello, me and my OH have a PR visa for Australia and visited last year to validate. My OH is an insulin dependant diabetic and while we were in Oz we visited a chemist who advised that the price of the insulin my husband takes here in England was very expensive. I was hoping for some information from any diabetics that have made the move to Oz and if possible fiqures for monthly health costs, etc. He currently takes Novorapid and Lantus insulin. We were thinking about moving to Queensland, possibly the Gold Coast to live if that makes a difference. Any advise would be much appreciated, thanks :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Once you arrive get your Dr to sign you up to the NDSS scheme. http://www.ndss.com.au/ For an approx cost of meds have a look here http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/product.asp?id=61484&pname=Insulin+Novorapid+10mL+Vial+5 A Novorapid 10ml vial (5) would be $36.10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summerhill Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 I had gestational diabetes and became a temporary member of diabetes Australia. Some chemists are approved by diabetes Australia so i would just buy testing strips needles etc form these chemists , just need to bring your card to get them at the subsidised price. Also when your doctor prescribes the insulin the chemists dispense a lot of insulin (if the one you're using is available on the PBS) for example I would be dispensed about 6 boxes of novo rapid with 6 pens in each box which I found wasteful as I was not going to use it all but the pharmacist said that was the amount that had to be dispensed under PBS rules. To my memory not all insulins are available on the PBS , Lantus comes to mind, I think my friend who is an aussie who has type 1 had to pay for it, this may have changed though cause drugs get added and removed all the time. But just google australian prescription benefits scheme and search what insulins are available. Also worth going to the same pharmacy all the time as can claim some money that you have spent on health care back at tax time(not much but better than nothing) and this will make easier to get your receipts. Also when you register with Medicare register the whole family under the same safety net and being diabetic you will reach it quickly which will reduce the cost of prescription medication and visits to specialists for the rest of the year. My friend who has type one (lives in NSW) has always used a private endo ,she finds she can get better care this way , the one she uses has a specialist nurse and dietician also in the practice. Don't know anything about health care in QLD but might be worth talking to your gp about what is best thing for you to do. Mi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 Thanks for your advice guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 My has been type 1 since childhood. To join the National Diabetic scheme you will first need to register with a GP who will provide you with the form and send it off for you. Once you have your card you will then be able to use the chemist to access supplies, most chemists are NDS chemists these days. My daughter takes Novorapid and Levimir and gets six months supply from her specialist. Her specialist fees are high and she is not fully refunded by medicare for her visits. Also join up with Diabetes Australia each State has a branch and its worth being a member. The public hospitals run diabetic clinics but for flexibility when working its easier to have your own specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Lantus is subsididsed by the PBS http://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/9039R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Sorry to seem a bit thick here but I just can't get my head around how it will work!! Here in the UK my OH has a medical exemption card and he gets his insulin and needles for free. In Oz would we have medical insurance cover the same as everyone else but then if he was registered with NDSS he would get discounted insulin and stuff? Can he just buy what he needs over the counter or does he still have to get a prescription from a doctor like he does here? :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geordie lass Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Sorry to seem a bit thick here but I just can't get my head around how it will work!!Here in the UK my OH has a medical exemption card and he gets his insulin and needles for free. In Oz would we have medical insurance cover the same as everyone else but then if he was registered with NDSS he would get discounted insulin and stuff? Can he just buy what he needs over the counter or does he still have to get a prescription from a doctor like he does here? :confused: Hey fellow geordie! You need to be registered with NDSS then you can buy over the counter at the subsidised rate. Insulin is obviously on script, but the NDSS items aren't. So, the blood testing strips, lancets, ketones strips are all from NDSS over the counter. Hope this helps. That's for WA at least. Not sure how the other states work. Michelle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 Hello Geordie Lass, hope you are well. If you don't mind me asking are you diabetic and if so how do you find it living in WA, do you find it is expensive? I know wages are higher in Aus so that should hopefully make up for having to pay for meds but with everything being free in UK it still seems expensive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geordie lass Posted March 17, 2013 Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hello Geordie Lass, hope you are well.If you don't mind me asking are you diabetic and if so how do you find it living in WA, do you find it is expensive? I know wages are higher in Aus so that should hopefully make up for having to pay for meds but with everything being free in UK it still seems expensive! Hi there, yes I am Type 1. I do find everything to be expensive at the moment as I am living off my savings due to being an international student here in WA. But, I wouldn't change it for the world! Diabetic items do make the condition expensive. I am on an insulin pump now, which is expensive as you have the added expense of infusion sets and reservoirs to buy on top of the insulin. So either way it can be expensive. But, I claim my insulin costs back from my private health cover, which works out to be twice a year at a cost of about $56 (80% of the total cost is covered). So, it's not too bad really. You get used to paying for medical items here. At first I was reluctant to pay but overcame that very quickly. When I came out to Oz I managed to store up 10 months supply of insulin, which helped a lot. My blood glucose testing strips cost $15.50 for 100 strips, so they last me about 3-4 weeks. I also pay $30 for my insulin pump consumables which last me about 5-6 weeks. Overall, the cost isn't too bad. If you have any more questions to ask, please feel free. Michelle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 17, 2013 Author Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hi there, yes I am Type 1. I do find everything to be expensive at the moment as I am living off my savings due to being an international student here in WA. But, I wouldn't change it for the world! Diabetic items do make the condition expensive. I am on an insulin pump now, which is expensive as you have the added expense of infusion sets and reservoirs to buy on top of the insulin. So either way it can be expensive. But, I claim my insulin costs back from my private health cover, which works out to be twice a year at a cost of about $56 (80% of the total cost is covered). So, it's not too bad really. You get used to paying for medical items here. At first I was reluctant to pay but overcame that very quickly. When I came out to Oz I managed to store up 10 months supply of insulin, which helped a lot. My blood glucose testing strips cost $15.50 for 100 strips, so they last me about 3-4 weeks. I also pay $30 for my insulin pump consumables which last me about 5-6 weeks. Overall, the cost isn't too bad. If you have any more questions to ask, please feel free. Michelle. Thanks for that. How does the private medical cover work then, are you charged more because they would know you are diabetic or does everyone pay the same roughly depending on what level of cover you take out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geordie lass Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Thanks for that. How does the private medical cover work then, are you charged more because they would know you are diabetic or does everyone pay the same roughly depending on what level of cover you take out? I had to take out private health insurance as it was a condition for my student visa. The uni did it for me and the insurance company didn't know about my medical condition. There is however a 12 month waiting period for pre existing medical conditions, so I couldn't start claiming back until jan this year. But, overall it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraxFM Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 I had to take out private health insurance as it was a condition for my student visa. The uni did it for me and the insurance company didn't know about my medical condition. There is however a 12 month waiting period for pre existing medical conditions, so I couldn't start claiming back until jan this year. But, overall it's worth it. Thanks for that, you have been really helpful.:wubclub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMatilda Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Thanks for this thread...very helpful information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dari Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 My question is not about charges, but maybe people with Type 1 here can help me... I'll flight to Australia with PR visa, so want to take some insulin with me for the first months (think about ten packs of Novorapid, each of 5 pens or even little more). Sure I need a refrigerator or cool box which could guarantee 2-8 degrees in minimum 36 hours. Does anyone tried to transport insulin for a long distance? Which medication cooler you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerberus1 Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 My question is not about charges, but maybe people with Type 1 here can help me... I'll flight to Australia with PR visa, so want to take some insulin with me for the first months (think about ten packs of Novorapid, each of 5 pens or even little more). Sure I need a refrigerator or cool box which could guarantee 2-8 degrees in minimum 36 hours. Does anyone tried to transport insulin for a long distance? Which medication cooler you use? I've seen Diabetes associations over here recommend the Frio Wallet - http://www.friouk.com/the-fr%C3%ADo%C2%AE-wallet.aspx Should be available from http://www.medmag.ru/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dari Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I've seen Diabetes associations over here recommend the Frio Wallet - http://www.friouk.com/the-fr%C3%ADo%C2%AE-wallet.aspx Should be available from http://www.medmag.ru/ Thank you, I know this product. Unfortunately, It's tiny, suit just for daily medicals. Availability is not important, I would find an opportunity to buy something abroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.