Hi everyone, anyinformation regarding brain tumor surgery for overseas visitor will be greatly appreciated. I have a relative who is diagnosis with brain tumor and needed operation. He is not a citizen of australia tough but his kids are live in melbourne with permanent recidency. He is not entitled to medicare. Desanyone know the range cost to have surgery done ? Thanks so much in advance
Tumor surgery in Australia for overseas visitor - cost and where?
redlover on 02/11/2013 - 10:01
Comments
Which country is he from ? Some countries have a reciprocal health care arrangement with Australia whereby they provide it free of charge - You can probably check on-line which countries it applies to (It includes the UK)
There you go http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/medicare/r…
You could give a private hospital a call so they can give you a more accurate costing and ditto with a private surgeon.
I've probably got no idea what I'm talking about (as usual) but my first port of call, especially as the family is in Melbourne, would be the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
All the best.
My wife had spinal surgery 3 years ago. it costed $25,000 all up (covered by private health insurance) for what her neurosurgeon said was a "pretty basic" procedure. I'd hate to think what he charges for complex procedures like removing a brain tumor. And given its cancer, you've got all the cancer specialists to pay as well.
Maybe try looking on the doctoralia website for some details of the relevant specialists you need and give their rooms a call. usually their secretaries can give you an idea of costs
Thanks all for all the info very much appreciated. He is from indonesia. I have tried look up private health insurance but they all have waiting periods for 12 months and it costs 250 per month.. Very expensive………
Plus you'll find they wouldn't be covered for a pre-existing condition either. Remember health insurance is insurance, working on the probabilities of people needing to make claims. It's not a discount club.
Edit: reading further comments this appears to be wrong.
Bigheadache- thanks for let me know doctoralia website,ill try to call some doctors on Monday
If you are saying $250 per month is expensive, I would be asking the question in a different country.
My friend just had spinal surgery $195,000 and still going up, (workers comp)
Hospital specialists don't come cheap.
Why would you even begin to think that a health fund would (or should) be prepared to take on a new member with a serious pre-existing condition that could take anything up to $100K, or maybe more, to treat? After all, the rules about pre-existing conditions are there to protect current members and to maintain the health fund's profitability and viability…..this means, of course, that they can't just take on all comers.
Amazingly, you seem to also think that $250 per month is very expensive even in the dire circumstances that you are describing …………………..wow!
Im only saying 250 for a health fund is expensive. Considering there will be still out of pocket money as they only cover tou up to $5000. I know it wont come cheap. And peter000- i have called the health fund provider and explained the situation and Yes! they will cover as long you serve 12 monthw waiting period. Thanks for your comments anyway
Ok, I don't understand
12 times 250 = $3,000
They cover up to $5,000You will save $2,000 by waiting 12 months. Is the savings of $2,000 worth waiting for 12 months, I'm no rocket scientist but I would assume with a brain tumour, time is very important.
I think you need to do some more research.
yes that's why it is now out of the picture to take health insurance
I think you need to be looking at Indonesia / Thailand / Malaysia or Vietnam to get the surgery done. Australia and Singapore will simply be too expensive. As was previously said private insurance would not be an option as its a pre-existing condition.
What he said. Everyone goes to Thailand to get their teeth fixed coz it's cheap, I'd try your luck there. Better than waiting and your situation getting worse
thailand has one of the best international hospitals where people across the world get tx. done. i wouldnt recommend it to my family but if its going to cost half there, then i would enquire if costing is an issue. and remember a specialist is a specialist, pretty well trained. also you must consider whereever it is done…brain surgery can go wrong.
Thanks guys. they are going to Singapore this coming week as we heard many success story from friends. will see how it goes, otherwise our best choice currently Malaysia - cost $15000 all up- this is with the same doctor who actually diagnosed the tumor. the doctor actually seems pretty good but we just want to get few opinions.
and yes costing is actually an issue with his family. we are trying to help as much as we can in here .Glad to hear that you made a decision to go to Singapore. I know a handful of very capable oncologists there. It is going to cost more than Malaysia and if it is not a complete removal and you are looking at doing chemotherapy/radiotherapy and close monitoring, be prepared to do a lot of travelling at a moment's notice.
Really appreciate your concern and advise :)Thank you !
I am from Malaysia, I hate bad mouthing my own country but choose you doctors wisely, most of them are crap. If you are willing to pay more just go Singapore( I can imagine bunch of singaporeans cheering behind my back).
It is because Malaysia registers just about anyone with a piece of paper with "MEDICINE" written across it. At one time, there were 17 medical schools in Malaysia and the government didn't know over half of them even existed.
Also, I was on holiday once, and I was given antibiotics when they diagnosed me with the flu. Then again, that happened to me in Australia as well.
Well doctors like to push antibiotics as an easy solution. And I think doctors like to do that because they can earn more from medicine (PS: for anyone that is wondering, most Malaysian GP have their on pharmacy in their clinic)
Antibiotics doesn't do anything for a flu. You'll need antiviral, and those are not pharmacy meds.
Generally speaking, doctors aren't idiots. They often prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for the presentation of flu-like symptoms because there are a shitload of instances where a bacterial infection will indeed cause flu-like symptoms.
And yes, this practice can and often does go hand-in-hand with a statement like "you've probably just got the flu". And you probably have. But what if it's something else? The Doctor makes a judgment call based on what he/she hears and/or sees regarding such a likelihood, and either gives you some antibiotics, or doesn't.
In an ideal world there would be enough time and enough resources to take some blood and fast-track a shitload of tests, but unfortunately you're not in an episode of House, M.D.
There's no doubt that some Doctors are probably a little too paranoid for the good of the future effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics, but as we should all know by now the real problem is that many people don't finish their prescribed course of tablets.
Number 1 area to ask would be the person's home country. The other factor you need to include in your calculations is that complex surgery and cancer treatment is not a one off. They will need follow up visits so would need to stay around the hospital for weeks if not months. There's also the radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Removal of a brain tumour often has more procedures after that. Good luck to your friend.
I'm afraid I don't have anything to contribute, but I just wanted to say good luck and all the best to your relative.
edit. Moot advice. Decision already made.
Thank you very much! I do really appreciate everyone concern and advise
my friend mum (non citizen) had a brain tumor surgery at St.Vincent hospital, the total bill after all is $65,000+ (all test, ICU 3 days and 1 week stay) after care is free tho`
I suggest you done a surgery in Singapore, much more cheaper because singapore is health-tourist destination.
Thanks andyken. that's a great info there.
novi 1711 - wherever you arrange for surgery of your relative, we'll pray for him..good luck…
Thank you :so much !!!!!
Found this on the privatehealth.gov.au website -
http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/healthinsurance/overseas/
Interesting read but doesnt really offer any more than whats already been said here.
It does say however if they were a migrant to the country and had applied for permanent residency they could get it done for free under Medicare, otherwise private health insurance has a 12 month waiting period or as people have also suggested they could get the procedure done overseas for a reasonable price.
Whatever they choose though I wish them all the best :)
Found this too to get a quick quote on health insurance for os visitors. Has a huge list on types of visas etc. The educational visa that I looked at didnt mention waiting periods except for psychiatric, rehabilitation and palliative was 1 year, not sure on the other types of cover, worth a look anyway.
http://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/cover/overseas-visit…
Lucky13 Im so grateful you did all this research , def will have a look further on this!! Thank you!
Well, I have gotten my PR recently, you are eligible for medicare as soon as you pay your PR fee. But do take note though that you probably have to declare you health conditions, and that might not make you eligible for PR.
Try penang. My mother in law had a surgery for some sort of tumour in her head. Went very well. I dont know the name of the doctor though. Cost about 3k aud 10 years ago
3K 10 years ago, now 25, 50, 100K+. Health insurance isn't a rort these days of course.
There's something that seems oddly wrong about discussing brain surgery costs on a bargain website… Best of luck OP I hope all goes well for your friend/relative.
You can try Sri Lanka. It is cheaper and there are top-notch surgeons. Check the websites of the hospitals.
http://www.asirihospitals.com/
http://www.hemashospitals.com/
The above 2 groups are well known in Sri Lanka. Yes their surgeons are good, you'll find a fair few of them in Aus as well but pay 10x the cost. On the other hand their rehabilitation and post surgery care etc will not be comparable to Aus.
Good luck!
India is another option, even though the infrastructure may not be world class.
Try Apollo Hospitals.
the infrastructure may not be world class
Definitely not for public hospitals. Private hospitals, e.g. Escorts, Apollo etc are the bees knees. Some of the best cardios, neuros and oncologists work at these hospitals. They are pretty expensive (by Indian standards) and have multi-million dollar facilities.
The private health cover rort hasn't hit India in full force yet, so top notch medical care is still relatively affordable.
check above comment, see how many useful comment up there, maybe you are the one who need your brain checked???
Compassion, obviously a word missing from your vocabulary. Maybe you're the one that should be taking some English lessons
"Scummy convict spawn. Just what this country needs, the bastard-child of a pox-ridden whore."
How does that sound? Really offensive right? So have some empathy and stop acting like a xenophobic drongo.
Also, suggest you get your nuts looked at; freckles may be the first signs of skin cancer.
You deserve to go into the Penalty Box. Too bad we don't have community rules for behaviour. But this crossed the lines in my books.
The obvious warning from this guy was "don't disclose pre-existing conditions as it may interfere with your PR app". In that context my comment is justified. In the same way we could have done without the "pox-ridden whores" from another time.
There is no shortage of people seeking to game & abuse our already lax immigration system, at times in attempts to obtain medical care. Just ask the Immigration Department about the mountain of lies they often need to sift through.
I do particularly tire of the sound of privileged international students (some no doubt the sons & daughters of corrupt feudal lords) telling me about their imagined entitlements. Bored bored bored. It's not those coming in by boat that trouble me, it's some of those coming in by plane, especially those from nations with endemic corruption. No doubt you'll find some on OB. Couldn't give a toss if your view differs Mr Wangkar.
Then there's the elephant in the room. Not quite a rabid right-wing publication that one. Are you going to seek to attach the cheap xenophobia tag on him as well omgwtfbbq? What about you Mr Wangkar - want to shut him down & put him in the Penalty Box? Deal with the facts, not labels. And frankly the most racist individuals i have ever had the misfortune of meeting have been international students with reference to their views towards Australia's indigenous community - my god they make some of these lunatics down at Cronulla seem like warm fuzzy & balanced individuals.
I feel much better now.
"Scummy convict spawn. Just what this country needs, the bastard-child of a pox-ridden whore.
How does that sound?" -omgwtfbbq
You are right, foreigners carry disease regardless of where they come from. British migrants 200 years ago carried disease here just as today's migrants carry diseases here.
Either way the foreigner is the bad guy and the native is the good girl.
Don't know what you're on about @Warier.
BTW to quote others it's best to put '>' just before reproducing their comment.
For example typing >Good Lord! comes up as:Good Lord!
I am not talking to you, im talking to omgwtfbbq whom I quoted.
"I didn't say any of that." -FreckleNuts
I know you didn't say that, I said it!
Again, I am talking to omgwtfbbq not youFreckleNuts! Quit the paranoia! We are allowed to reply and talk to other people on here, not every reply needs to be to regarding what you have said FreckleNuts.
@Frecklenuts
I had written out a long winded response to your post. However, in the interest of not instigating a flame-war and derailing the gravity of OP's thread (and increasing "noise") I shall desist.
Thank you for taking the time to post your views. Now lets get back OT.
kthxbye
@warier,
Completely agree mate. However, that also means the successive generations of inhabitants have higher resistance to a higher range of "fauna" (glass half full) :)
Umm, yeah, it did get a bit out of hand … however no one has really attempted to take my arguments on.
And mate, you've + every comment above (except mine & your own).
To balance things out a little i've + all yours.
No need to thank me.
Hi, myself and a few of my colleagues are OzBargain addicts. Amongst us are a few medical GPs, dentists, an oral-maxillo facial surgeon, a cardiologist, an ophthalmologist, an orthopaedic surgeon, several periodontists and orthodontists, a first year neurology registrar, and a final year radiology registrar.
And these are the guys who check in on OzBargain on a regular basis, there are a many others in the hospital who check in once every so often.
edit. The E.N.T surgeon… I always forget the ENT.
I thought you guys were always logged in to your online share trading accounts when not extracting someone's giblets?
And it's ok - I also have my addictions, and everyone forgets the ENTs.
My point is that on a site such as this it is simply not possible to assess the reliability of contributions. That's not so bad if it concerns an SSD card, but neurosurgery advice?
And while some coming on here may be highly qualified, they have not examined the individual and determined the facts - all you have to base any comments on is assertion.
Also your lawyers, and perhaps professional bodies, would be concerned if you did give advice on OB in these circumstances.
I still think anyone who thinks it's a good idea to seek advice on OB for something so serious is fundamentally misguided.
I think seeking advice on where to go is a fair thing to do here. On what to do? That's a whole new brand of crazy. As for my lawyers? As long as I don't disclose any full names or give advice on the exact nature of the surgery, I am 100% hole proof. Even if I do write up the exact specifications of the procedure, as long as I do not announce that I am a doctor, I am still not leaking (which I have not within the legal parameters).
Most of the doctors I talk to do not trade shares, stocks or pleasantries. If they get a chance to be on the computer, they are usually on the computer doing some on-line shopping or tracking their parcels.
Besides, the radiology boys are ALWAYS on the computer, at home, not at work, in their underwear (probably not even).
I think seeking advice on where to go is a fair thing to do here.
I guess so. A lot of the comments above go well beyond this.
I know an Anaesthetist - hell, perhaps he's related - and he told me they're share trading all day.
… I am still not leaking …
…do not trade … pleasantries …That all touched me in a special way.
Besides, the radiology boys…
I thought they were mainly women so they have time to squeeze out kids?
Nice chatting.
I know an Anaesthetist - hell, perhaps he's related - and he told me they're share trading all day.
you have been PUNK'D
you have been PUNK'D
No i haven't.
I've checked with him - they're still doing it, and that's fine by me.
It will depend on the type of tumour the relative has, and what sort of post-surgery care needed. Some tumour removal may require more than one operation, also whether the tumour is benign or malignant will also affect the final cost.
If you are going to go private then Charlie Teo (Sydney) is one of the best operators
http://www.btsurvivor.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=2834any one know how to contact Dr Teo?
Yep. This fella has a big reputation. He operated on Dr Christopher o'brien on his specific request. My friend was a patient of Dr. O'brien, superb surgeon and man. His passing is a big loss to the medical community.
Wow FreckleNuts no useful post from you, seems you have way too much spare time on your hands. Your contributions are worthless.
Charlie Teo is an amazing surgeon, and specializes in brain tumors, probably the best in the country!And a non-contribution by you given all you provide is empty assertion.
Teo is also a bit of a tool. Hang on, don't tell me, you saw him on commercial television, just after 'Days of our Lives', and now you're an expert. I look forward to buying tickets to your lobotomy.
Technically he specialises in paediatric neurosurgery - which is close enough to brain tumours in adults anwyays.
Chalie Teo also operates overseas as a sort of pro bono activity. Best to call his surgery for advice on what costs, where etc. The sad reality is that if it is malignant, your relative may only be 'buying' a little extra time at enormous costs.
Malignant doesn't mean buying little time. Malignancy come in various grades. You are thinking of early versus late stage. Late stage implies metastasis or secondary tumours.
what you need to look at the private health insurance for this cover?
Example for this medibank overseas cover, this tumor surgery is cover under what item?
What's covered?
We cover all services where a Medicare benefit is payable, including:
Ambulance services
Appendicitis treatment
Removal of tonsils and adenoids
Surgical removal of wisdom teeth (for hospital charges only)
Knee reconstruction surgery and investigations
Shoulder reconstruction surgery and investigations
Heart-related services
Obstetrics-related services, eg. pregnancy
Fertility treatment eg. IVF & GIFT programs
Hip and knee joint replacement surgery
Renal dialysis
Major eye surgery – including cataract and lens-related services
Plastic and reconstructive surgery (excludes cosmetic surgery)
Psychiatric treatment
Rehabilitation treatment
Palliative care
All other in-hospital services recognised for Medicare benefit purposes.
For the services listed above, we pay benefits towards (less any applicable hospital excess):Private hospital accommodation
Overnight accommodation in a private or shared room
Same day admissions
Intensive care
Theatre fees
Public hospital accommodation as a private patient
Overnight accommodation in a private or shared room
Same day admissions (shared room only)
Surgically implanted prostheses and other items on the Federal Government's Prostheses Schedule
Doctors' fees for in-hospital medical services when you are treated as a private patient.
Please note that any charge above your benefit will form part of your out-of-pocket expensesDr Charlie Teo operates overseas as well. You could ring his surgery and ask when he is overseas depending if the patient would be better off that way because perhaps he is a citizen of that country that Dr Teo is going to? Presumably it is getting urgent by now though.
Thanks Anna
$50,000+ plus add after care / treatment costs post the intial surgery and hospital room