Private Medical Costs

[hoons]

Hello :biggrin:

 

I'm trying (in vain) to find out what fees will be involved for private hospital care in Western Australia.

 

I'm coming over on a 457 Visa, and due to my pre-existing condition will be liable for medical costs. I've found out the cost of the medication I take on the PBS website, however I can't find anywhere how much the associated costs might be.

 

I will attend hospital as an out-patient to receive my medication via IV infusion - does anyone know how much this might cost?

I provide blood samples prior to my infusion, I have appointments with a specialist consultant (less frequently) and also see my GP from time to time - again, is anyone aware of likely associated costs for these activities?

 

Thanks in anticipation,

Tom.

[Petals]

Private health is pricey and depending on your policy there may be gap insurance to pay. For example I have just had a knee replacement and have high insurance but I still had to pay about $3,000.00 dollars myself which I will claim back off tax but its only about 22 cents for every dollar.

 

Specialists fees are individual and you would need to check with the doctors you are going to be using. Our GP here charges $59.00 for a short consultation but we are in Victoria, I do know that some GPS depending where they are charge more.

 

So firstly I would consult with your insurers and find out exactly what cover you will need to have. You can select to have gap insurance and if you are going to use a lot this may be a good thing but of course like everything the more you cover the higher the costs. Also for the first 12 months of a policy here in Australia they would not cover any pre existing condition which probably will be a problem for you.

 

Lots of homework to be done with your own docs in UK and proposed docs and hospitals here to find out this information.

 

Good luck

[hoons]

Thanks Petals. I'm trying to get info out of WA Health Dept, but have been waiting a while now for them to get back to me.

 

I've also sent emails to several private hospitals to see whether they can give me an indication of private medical costs ... hopefully they'll get back to me soon!

 

I've done the sums and I know how much I can afford to pay for meds in Oz, just need to find out how much they're gonna cost! (i know my medication is gonna cost in excess of $20k per year!).

 

I might also ask my potential employer whether they would be willing to do some kind of salary sacrifice, where I take a pay cut and get them pay directly for my medication costs in return. Not sure about the legalities of this, it may be construed as a taxable benefit in which case it wouldn't benefit me at all, but it doesn't hurt to ask!