Cost of treatment in Australia

[hoons]

Hi there, my name's Tom, this is my first post so go easy on me :ysmile:

I like in the UK and currently receive Remicade every 8 weeks. This has kept my Crohn's at bay pretty well for about 18 months now.

The thing is, me and my wife want to emigrate to Australia. I've gotten as far as being offered a job, and I'm currently going through the 457 visa (temporary working visa) process.

I'm starting to really worry about how much the Remicade treatment might cost me in Australia. I will be liable for pretty much all my medication costs (I believe) - even with full insurance cover this would only save me $600 a year on drugs.

Can anyone give me some insight into how much I am likely to pay to continue my treatment? I have read stories of meds costing up to $5k per infusion, which would probably result in me not being able to go to Oz. I know about the reciprocal health arrangement between Oz and UK, but I don't think this would cover an extended course of remicade.

If anyone has been in a similar position to me I would be so happy to hear from you. I'm getting stressed out about the whole thing, and if anyone has any info or advice I'd be really pleased to hear it.

Many thanks,
Tom.

 

[hoons]

ps. I am on 450mg Remicade for each infusion

 

[mikeyarmo]

Hi Tom,

It sounds like you have a really interesting opportunity to emigrate! It is smart that you are looking into treatment costs now as that is something you will certainly want to have figured out prior to leaving.

I have no knowledge of what Remicade costs in Australia, so hopefully someone else will be able to respond to you soon.

 

[handle]

With reciprocal health care it shouldn't cost anything. Medicare covers all such expenses in Australia and I believe a temp. work visa entitles you to Medicare.
Best to check how to apply and confirm your status - www.medicareaustralia.gov.au

good luck with it all.

 

[Jennifer]

I think it would be a good idea for you to utilize the map of the users on this forum and send them a PM and see if they have any info for you. Here's the map: http://www.zeemaps.com/253605 which can be located in a Sticky in the Support section here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=20514

The map isn't just for seeing where everyone is but to also help our fellow members.

 

[DustyKat]

Yikes! Sorry, I saw this not long after you posted and mean't to come back to it, then I couldn't find it. :redface:

I had a look at the visa you are emigrating on and it seemed to me that you may be correct in thinking that they will not cover an extended course of Remicade.

I would go to the link that handle has provided and contact Medicare directly. I don't know but perhaps if you are able to apply for and obtain a medicare card then you may circumvent the restrictions of the visa???

As to the cost, I haven't seen any individual figures since it was approved for use on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

Good luck!

Dusty. xxx

 

[hoons]

Thanks guys!! Tips taken on board, although it doesn't seem as though I'm gonna get a definite answer until I take the plunge and move out. It seems as though I might be covered under the reciprocal healthcare agreement, but even then they might not pay for continued treatment.

It's a tricky situation - potentially moving to the other side of the world and not knowing exactly what my medical costs will be. I'll carry on pestering people to try and get answers, other wise I might have to ask my potential employer to write some kind of clause in to my contract, saying I would be liable for the first $X of treatment, and they would cover any thing over this amount!? Hopefully they might agree to this, it can't harm to ask!?!?

I'll provide an upadate as soon as I have one!

Thanks,
Tom.

 

[Jennifer]

It sounds fair to ask if there's anything the company can do for you. If all else fails then you may have to try a new treatment plan but let's hope you get what you need.

 

[hoons]

Hello!

Just to update this thread, my wife and I have decided to cancel our plans to move out to Oz!

I saw my consultant yesterday, and he wants to increase the frequency I receive Remicade to once every 6 weeks (from every 8), and because my stricture has not shrunk at all, he has mentioned that surgery might be an idea to remove approximately half of my large intestine!

With all this going on (and receiving treatment for free on the NHS), I feel I would be stupid to move out to Oz where I might be liable for the cost of all treatment. If I do go down the surgery route, then hopefully this may enable me to move out to Oz in the future, and not have to worry about the costs of Remicade (assuming I wouldn't need it anymore!).

 

[manuel.pena]

Hi there!
I'm Manuel, i wanted to post Over Tom's last advice. I hace artritis, and receive Remicade long time ago. I have just The same questions as Toma had. I am also planning to change my life style and living in Australia.
Does anybody has Info about how can I receive Remicade in Australia?
I receive every 8 weeks Remicade, 300mg. In Chile i receive this medicine with a good price (ok with insurance).
About Tom, did you finally traveled to Australia?

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Manuel and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately Chile does not have a reciprocal health agreement with Australia so that can’t be used as a stop gap measure in which to receive Remicade. Although supplies of these sort of drugs are very limited under this scheme anyway.

If you are planning to apply for permanent residency then once that is granted you are able to access the Medicare system, every Australian resident is issued a Medicare card. Having a Medicare card means you can access the public health system and the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme). Most medications are listed under the PBS of which the cost of a full script is $37.80.

Here are a couple of links to have a look through:

Rheumatoid arthritis and Medicare

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Public health is what deals with the big dollar medicine in Australia so private health insurance won’t be an option as another way to access Remicade and out of pocket would be out of reach unless you have a truck load of money.

I hope that is of some help to you Manuel.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Diulka]

Hello. I have really similar problem. Next year Im finishing my university in Slovakia and I have decided to move to Australia for another study. However I have crohn disease and Im on remicade for 5 years. I want to continue with cure overseas as well but there is problem with look for right doctor or insurence. If it possible to take renicade for oversease student from Slovakia? I have to pay for that? I dont know what to do with first step. Look for new doctor in Aus and talk with them or look for a right insurence? Can someboďy help me? Im really worry. This is really big chance for me to see a world.

 

[Jennifer]

See DustyKat's post above yours Diulka.

 

[steffers27]

Maybe I'm wrong but don't most insurance companies refuse to cover any treatment for conditions that were diagnosed prior to the policy being taken out?
I'm only going by the fact I can't get critical illness cover in the UK because my Crohn's was already ungoing.