need advice please

[no1mum]

Hi, I am new to this site and looking for some advice. Having been granted a permenant residency visa 2 years ago, we have sold nearly all our worldly possessions and are presently in rented accomodation in the Uk awaiting our 18 year old daughters A Level certs before we plan our migration next Jan - March. Last month I had a biopsy on a freckle come back as Melonoma in situ. I have had the area widened to ensure complete removal, however I am confused about Medicare and private health insurance once we are in Perth. Has anybody else ever had a condition which medicare will not cover or is there any private health insurance out in Perth which are more friendly towards people who may have had a problem in the past. I am 45 years old, but otherwise very healthy. Seems such a minefield attempting to get answers from anyone. Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

[odies]

sorry cannot answer your question I am sure someone on here will, they are great and helpful. However sorry to hear about your problem. The only story I have is a friend of ours over there has the c word and has had no problem at all with medicare and cannot speak highly enough of the help and the doctors / hospitals over there. they have been there 20 years though if that makes any difference.

but good luck and take care

[no1mum]

Hi, thanks for your reply. Our agent has advised that as permenant visa holders we are entitled to all the benefits of any Australian. Just really scary having come so far to have this curve ball chucked at us. Initial reaction was I am not leaving UK, however, the one thing something like this does, is make you think about how short life is and do follow your dreams. My surgeon seemed to think that treatment/follow ups would not be an issue, just maybe financial implications as insurance companies do know how to charge!!

 

My husband was also concerned about the lifestyle as obviously alot more outdoor living in OZ, which is what I was buying into. However my personal experiences when been over to Perth on hols is that there is alot more shade available generally than anywhere in the UK. In the UK everybody wants to sit out in the sun regardless. I am not going to live in a cave, but will need to have a very sensible approach to outdoor actiivities, but i am thinking OZ most prob are better equiped than us. Am I right do you think??

[Nic964]

Think about medicare as basic NHS cover. It provides similar services to NHS, access to doctors, hospitals, and general helth cover. You also suffer the same problems, in that if you need non-life threatening procedures (hip replacement etc), then it can take months to get the operation done, whereas if you have private heatlh insurance, then it covers you getting the operation done earlier and with more choice.

 

It doesnt cover dental, or optical work, so that you will pay for. Also if you need some services (ambulance, and visit to an emergency department) then they cost money. Typically health cover will also provide some discount on these costs.

 

We've been here 12 months and the medicare system has been great, the doctors and services have been quick and very friendly.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Nick

[no1mum]

Hi Nic964

 

Thanks for your response. It is always such a worry about these things. We all hope we don't need them too often, however good to know heads up of situation should we have to access them.

[Nic964]

no problem, we didnt have a clue before we arrived (bad planning on our part), and have picked it up. Hope the rest of your planning goes ok. We luv it here, very relaxed outdoor lifestyle.

 

Nick