•  Having cancer can put financial pressure on you and your family.

• There is support available for you and you will still be able to get the treatment you need whether you can afford to pay or not.

How much will treatment cost?

• This will depend on where you are treated. Most treatments in public hospitals are covered by the Medicare system.  For information on Medicare, visit our fact sheet, What is Medicare?

• If you have private health insurance, you have more control over where and when you will be treated and can choose your own doctor.

• If you are a private patient being treated either in a public or private hospital, there may be fees and charges for things such as hospital accommodation, theatre fees and medicines. These costs may vary depending on the level of your private health insurance.

It is really important for you (or your parents or partner) to talk to your doctors, the hospital or your health fund to get the most accurate information you can.

Remember: You can still get the treatment you need whether you have private health insurance or not.

There ’s all sorts of assistance available it’s just sometimes a matter of knowing what and who to ask. There’s no shame in applying for assistance – it is there for all people in your situation no matter what your financial situation was like before you got cancer.

Financial Assistance

• If you have to stop work because of your treatment you may be eligible for assistance from the government or many organisations. Your parents or partner may also be able to get assistance if they have to stop work to care for you.

You can also get help with things like:

• Rent assistance

• Pharmaceutical allowance

• Concessions cards

• Parking vouchers at the hospital

• Accommodation during treatment for you (if you are being treated as an outpatient), your parents or partner

• Transport costs to and from the hospital

• Dental care: Medicare has a  dental scheme for people living with cancer and other chronic conditions. People who are eligible can access up to $4,250 in Medicare benefits for dental services over a two year period. For more details visit:  http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Dental+Care+Services

Where can I get this assistance?

You may have heard about all this support out there, but have no idea who to ask or where to go to get it.
 
You can get more information from the social worker at the hospital or speak to the nurses on the ward or in the clinic.

Centrelink is the Australian government agency that offers financial assistance to people in need. You can apply for assistance for many different reasons, including:

• if you are sick

• disabled

• caring for others

• a student

• unemployed or have a low income

You might sleep better knowing…

• You do not HAVE to have private health insurance. If you do not have health insurance (or even if you do), you can still be treated in the public health system.

• You should still be able to get new health insurance even if you have been diagnosed with cancer. Health funds in Australia are not allowed to refuse membership or charge higher prices to people because of their health status or claims history.  They can impose waiting periods for pre-existing illnesses, but once you have served your waiting periods, you are allowed to claim.

• If you feel that you have been treated unfairly by your health fund, you can make a formal complaint with the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman. Their free call phone number is 1800 640 695.

Check out the support services below for financial and other practical assistance:

www.centrelink.gov.au
Centrelink is a government agency that offers financial assistance to people in need, including people who are sick, disabled or caring for others. You can also call 13 27 17.

www.cancer.org.au
The Cancer Council can provide details of many local financial assistance services for patients and carers.

www.health.gov.au
The Department of Health can help with financial and practical assistance.