Is LB covered on Australian Medicare?

[RantingDev 0]

Hello all.

When I went to my GP about a year ago, she presented me with the idea of getting the lap band. At that particular point in time, it was not an option for me. I still felt that getting it was like admitting that I had failed somehow. (So silly!) Obviously, I now see the error of my ways and am researching getting it done.

Anyway, my husband seems to remember her saying that if the GP prescribes the procedure, it will be covered (or partially covered) under the Australian Medicare (free healthcare) system. Is this true? I'd love to get some advice from any Aussie members.

Thanks!

[slimmy120 2]

Hello all.

When I went to my GP about a year ago, she presented me with the idea of getting the lap band. At that particular point in time, it was not an option for me. I still felt that getting it was like admitting that I had failed somehow. (So silly!) Obviously, I now see the error of my ways and am researching getting it done.

Anyway, my husband seems to remember her saying that if the GP prescribes the procedure, it will be covered (or partially covered) under the Australian Medicare (free healthcare) system. Is this true? I'd love to get some advice from any Aussie members.

Thanks!

No i am in wa looked into it, had to pay for myseld, had other friends who are on health care cards, supporting parents same for them unfortunately.

[slimmy120 2]

Sorry the anethesist part of that was covered, but boy did he know how to charge. But still it was well worth it.

[RantingDev 0]

So how much did it all end up costing (if you don't mind me asking)?

[slimmy120 2]

So how much did it all end up costing (if you don't mind me asking)?

Was 15 thousand all up, but after what medicare paid for anethisist, and my health fun paid for hospital stuff was $9thousand, then each fill is $265.But i think was well worth it, had to make a choice new car or new me, guess which one i chose.I spoke to my doctor and she said had to be morbidly morbidly obese as in around the 300kilo or so before govt would look at it, and then about 5 year waiting list if you lucky.

[Jachut 487]

It can be covered if its done under the public system and you go on a waiting list at whatever hospital you've chosen. The wait can be years and years though. When you're done that way, you're only charged the scheduled fee and of course you get 85% of that back.

When you choose a private surgeon, of course you still get 85% of the scheduled fee back. But his fee will be WAY above the scheduled fee.

I know quite a few people who have been done under the public system and paid very little. Williamstown hospital in Melb had a very short waiting list, months and I know of quite a few bandsters done in Perth quite quickly. But the Alfred has a waiting list a few years long, I believe its down to about 2 or 3 now, when I was banded it was 7! All the people I know qualified as morbidly obese with a BMI of 40 or more.

A lot of private surgeons wont touch self pay patients becuase of the situation if revision surgery is needed. The spend all their savings on the band and then dont go for the required follow up care or have the money for revision surgery. Whereas if you take out private health insurance, wait the year to qualify, most surgeons charge one out of pocket expensive of several thousand and your fills and follow up care are free forever (bulk billed) - so although you have the wait, it doesnt end up costing any more to do it that way AND you have PHI to cover all aspects of your health.

Well worth thinking about.

Edited April 7, 2008 by Jachut

[slimmy120 2]

I am in Perth wa,and we definately had to go and pay ourselves, one of my friends who lost 75kilos was told that there is no way we would get done privately, and that when we lose weight it is the sam(tummy tuck,arms etc.) do you have any ideas as how and who they saw in wa, as we all interested, my mum wants to get done, and no way she could afford either, we all spoke to differing gp's too.Thanx

[Ray 479 1]

I am from Perth I got mine on medicare and it cost me nothing . As far as the wait most people do not get past the curious phone call stage which I think is the first test because as with everyone I also was told 18 moths . I booked an appointment anyway. That took 2 weeks and I got my operation date before I left the rooms. From whoa to go 8 weeks.

Sorry to spoil the Medicare bashing.

OK OK I should pull my head in sorry but all the facts are true.

PS My wife is an RN working in the private health area and guess what no private coverage we don,t beleive in it as the private health insurance in Australia is a joke.It could not exist without Govt subidies ,hospitals , and equipment.

Honestly I really am not a grouch:wink_smile::crying: