A cancer diagnosis can significantly impact not only your health but also your financial situation. From diagnosis to treatment, recovery, and ongoing care, there can be various costs involved depending on your treatment and how you access healthcare services. Below, we've outlined some of these costs and provided resources available in WA, that can help ease the financial burden.
Cancer care costs
Cancer care in Australia can be accessed through the public healthcare system, the private system, or a combination of both.
Out-of-pocket costs refer to the difference between what your healthcare provider charges and what Medicare or your private health insurance reimburses. You may encounter out-of-pocket costs for:
- Surgery
- Diagnostic tests and imaging
- Pathology services
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Take-home medications
- Dressings
- Medical equipment
Some private health insurers offer gap cover arrangements to reduce or eliminate these out-of-pocket expenses. It's important to check with your healthcare provider to see what costs Medicare doesn't cover. If you have private health insurance, you can confirm what your policy includes with your insurer.
In addition, you may also have to pay for indirect costs during and after your cancer treatment. These are costs outside of the medical treatment that are related to your treatment, such as:
- Travel costs and parking fees
- Accommodation if you don't live near a hospital
- Childcare or other caregiving expenses
- Wigs, prosthetics, or compression garments
- Legal services
- Allied health services not covered by Medicare, such as mental health services, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, massage, exercise physiology, nutrition, dental, and optical services
Or you may experience a loss of, or reduced income, if you or your family member are required to take time off work or work reduced hours.
Financial Support available in WA
Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefits
Some treatment costs may be covered by the Australian Government through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS): Lists medical services that the government subsidises to help patients afford cancer care.
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS): Helps reduce the cost of medications. If a medicine is listed under the PBS, anyone with a Medicare card can access it at a reduced cost, paying only a set co-payment fee. For medicines not listed under the PBS, you will need to pay the full price.
To check what's covered by Medicare, ask your healthcare provider or visit the Medicare Benefits Schedule online at www.mbsonline.gov.au.
Centrelink financial assistance
Centrelink offers various benefits, pensions, and assistance programs to help with medical costs. You may also be eligible for specific Centrelink payments, and carers might qualify for the Carer's Allowance or Carer's Payment.
Visit the Centrelink website
