IndieG

Let me know if you want me to get them for you from India - go there twice a year. My dad and also my mom-in-law use them for asthma too

ozhappy981

Have you looked at Chemist Warehouse? You can buy over the internet. But there may be one near you, i.e. you can go in and save the postage.

For my medication (not asthma), I discovered if I get a private prescription from my doctor (he bulk-bills so getting the script costs nothing) and take that to Chemist Warehouse, the cost is half of what they would charge me on an NHS prescription. (On an NHS prescription they have to charge you the $33.60, but on a private prescription they can sell it for less.)

I don't know what your inhalers are called. But here is a list of all the ones they are selling and the prices:
http://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/s...e=NP&expand=20

ABCDiamond

Our local chemist charges the lower price even on a NHS prescription. My last one was $19.99, but I had one for $5.60 the other month.

fish.01

My local chemist only takes medicare prescriptions.

Vegemite Kids

Havent been on this forum much (or even at all) in the past few years but was lurking today and saw this so had to respond.

We moved over 6 years ago and got private medical insurance just to negate the tax levy.

Well last year I got diagnosed with cancer and having private medical made a HUUUUGE difference.

My cancer was growing at the rate of more than 1 cm per week(eek), so 6 days after being diagnosed I was in hospital being treated and by one of the top 5 oncologists in Australia who BTW only treats private patients.

That would not have happened if I had been relying on the normal 'public' health care or "bulk billing". If I was waiting on public health care it could have taken at least a couple of months before I got treated, at which point instead of having a a 5cm x 7cm tumour removed I could have been looking at a 20+cm tumour and I wouldn't have had the top guy in Perth looking after me

You may not think you need private healthcare or like me you may think you only need it to get the tax break - but ....

My advise and my experience is - GET HEALTH INSURANCE! Its worth it

jad n rich

I have made the point before about cancer patients in particular getting treatment quicker with private insurance. With Cancer delays of days let alone weeks can make a difference

I am so glad you had private insurance and wish you all the best in your recovery

Sally Simpson

I don't understand how a script is covering you for 3 months. A GP should only be prescribing one months meds at a time with repeats????

Gems

We dont have medical insurance only ambulance cover.

Basically my kids had medical conditions when they arrived. We have had no problems with public hospital in fact impressed. Reason private insurance would not have covered them for at least a year anyway. So we would not have had any choice.

We have used A&E,Overnight sleep study,2wks in PMH with operation, and numerous visits to Ortho,Immunology,Paed specialists all free.

We pay about $32 for prescriptions. But we came via another country so was already used to paying for it.

Only thing is living rural non of the GPs here bulk bill adults, even though we have at least 5 GP surgerys. Appointments with GP cost $60.

Gems

Wol

Don't understand you: most regular prescriptions, inc. repeats, will be made out for 6 months. I know mine is.

Swerv-o

I agree with this. It would be much better if the insurance covered 100% of the costs, instead of only a proportion. I had health insurance with my old employer in the UK, and it was much better value than what I have here, at about the same cost.

If you want 100% coverage, then you are best off taking an international policy with Bupa or similar, though they do cost. What annoys me about doing that is that even though they pay out 100% of the costs, they are not considered 'approved' health insurance policies by the tax authorities when it comes to the additional surcharges.

In my opinion, the health insurance system here is a joke - simply a mechanism to allow private companies to take money from people and offer very little in return, all nicely supported and legislated by the government.

I have the basic level of hospital cover, no extras (except ambulance) and have never claimed on it. It costs me $54 a month, and I just see it as a way to allow me to pay my extra tax burden in installments throughout the year.


S

Swerv-o

But can you cash in all six months worth of repeats in one go? Leave the chemist with 6 packets of Prozium instead of just one?


S

Wol

No - they stopped that so that you can't put a whole chunk of expenses into one period and claim the relief.

Sally Simpson

Yes I understand about the repeats but you can only get one months supply at a time can't you?

ABCDiamond

Normally yes, the chemist can only issue one month at a time, even though the doctor may give you a six month prescription, so you only need to see the doctor twice a year, but you need to visit the chemist monthly.

My prescription last 12 months, but I only need to go to the chemist 6 times in the year

coolshadows

We took out the extras package only from medibank. With no cover I didn't want to run the risk of large bills should I have to call an ambulance or need some emergency dental work.