Aussie news

[MaybeRob]

Federal government considers adding gender affirming surgery to Medicare rebate list (msn.com)

 

We will see 

[AllieJ]

1 hour ago, MaybeRob said:

Federal government considers adding gender affirming surgery to Medicare rebate list (msn.com)

 

We will see 

 

Though it would be a step forward, it won't make much real difference. There are already rebates for some gender affirming surgeries, but scheduled fee is well below the price Aussie surgeons charge for GAS. (think around 10 to 15% of the current fees). This still leaves a big gap fee to pay. The big problem in Australia is that there is only one surgeon offering GAS full time, and only a couple of others who do it now and then, and they all work in the private system only.

 

So even if Medicare could make public surgeries affordable, there is nobody to do them in the public system. This would mean any surgeries would possibly be carried out by first or second year resident urology surgeons, learning their trade. GRS is about creating aesthetic outcomes as much as function, and it takes a surgeon years to perfect this art. The problems of the public systems are well known, with very long wait times for 'elective' surgeries, and GAS wouldn't be seen as an immediate life or death procedure, so the wait would be years. 

 

Sorry to bring a sour view to this good news, but I have seen too many people promised surgeries in the public system which could never happen, and this prevented them from finding other ways to get it done. Although morally is is a great step forward to be recognised, practically, it won't make much difference.

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[Mirrabooka]

I read it this morning too.

 

Yes, it might just be a case of virtue signalling from the gov't, knowing that there might only be a tiny uptake, but at least the structure will be in place for when the surgery will become more competently and frequently performed in the future.

[Heather Shay]

fingers crossed. It is NECESSARY surgery. I've been lucky to get it.

[AllieJ]

12 minutes ago, Mirrabooka said:

I read it this morning too.

 

Yes, it might just be a case of virtue signalling from the gov't, knowing that there might only be a tiny uptake, but at least the structure will be in place for when the surgery will become more competently and frequently performed in the future.

 

I just learned that Dr Ives is recommencing mtf surgeries next year, so Dr Hart won't be the only full time surgeon. Ives only works in private hospitals and only offers PIV, but he did my surgery and I know he does a good job. This will mean less people going to Thailand, and shorter wait times for Hart, but won't help public patients. 

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

[AllieJ]

2 minutes ago, Heather Shay said:

fingers crossed. It is NECESSARY surgery. I've been lucky to get it.

 Heather, currently the rebate is roughly AUD$3,000 on a AUD$30,000 surgery meaning we need to find AUD$27,000 plus a couple of years of hospital insurance cover. The rebate might increase to AUD$5,000 =, but that will still leave a gap of AUD$25,000 we need to find. This won't be a huge improvement.

 

Hugs,

 

Allie

 

 

[Heather Shay]

My surgery in US cost $68,000 and I'm fighting Medicare who only want to pay half. I can't afford what I have what thankfully they can't put it back. Phew!!!