I have been experiencing sciatic pain now for over six month, I get lumbar injections so I can manage sitting at work as well as physio to see if I could make any improvement. I was beginning to feel very very down with the limitations this put on me so decided to review my options with surgery being one.

After picking a recommended surgeon, I have had two appointments (cost $500) getting the appointment was difficult too and I had to agree to go on a cancel list to be prepared to see him at last minute notice.

Today we agreed on surgery as I am losing feeling in my leg. The pain is still managed somewhat by the current injection but as this is wearing off I am getting the odd gut wrenching stabs down my leg.

I was then presented with an estimated cost - AFTER medicare and health fund I am looking to pay over $7000 this could go higher (this is for a simple microdiscectomy).

I am just so bloody confused; I can obviously get a second opinion (possibly to the tune of $300 for a consult and a possible 4 month wait, when I can book the surgery for five weeks and have it over and done with. I do know there are surgery risks but living the depressing life I have now with the possibility of long term nerve damage is the other option.

Does anyone know a way I can get estimated costs or shop around for other surgeons (know their costs up front) I know I know you cannot cost everything by price but seriously the Medicare codes cost this procedure at about 1400 and the surgeon alone wants 4000 plus on top of this; plus his mate (assistant) ; plus the Anaesthetist: plus plus.

I have top flight medical but looked into the options today and no other scheme would offer better for this type of surgery the issue seems to be the surgeon or is this a standard price. I just do not know if there are other reasonable options out there or if I should have asked more upfront before making an appointment (would they even of told me?)

An internet trawl has offers of having the surgery overseas in India etc - which is never going to happen as a choice for me.

Anyway I know I will possibly take this option for four weeks and suck up the price (bang goes my flight back to the UK next two years) but very interested in similar stories or information around this issue.

Cheers

Have you considered traveling to Thailand? My dad had heart surgery there & rated it as better than the U.K & Australia in cleanliness, post op care etc etc. He has private med insurance in the U.K, his op would have come to 14k here in Australia or 8k in the U.K but cost less than 4k in Thailand.

How long is the wait list under Medicare, at no cost ?

Can you find a surgeon who 'teaches' at a public hospital? Although some appointments may be private, you could get the surgery done on Medicare but not having to wait years.

Your surgery sounds essential. Can you not go public?

Thanks everyone - I am going back to talk to my doctor about other referrals and options. I would consider some other possibilities but do not have an unlimited timeline to get organised because of the nerve damage currently occuring.

ABC - how would you find out how long medicare timing is?

I am not sure I would be entitled to "free" treatment, I am willing to pay just really wanted to know if I was being fleeced for this charge by this doctor or is this a usual amount. I know it is not the same as getting a quote on a TV and shopping around but I would like to think I could check in some way before excepting the first quote.

Again thanks for the comments

Sandra, why do you think you may not be entitled to free treatment?
If you are having nerve damage, it is surely urgent & essential surgery? Do you have a good GP you could talk to?

I think it is a case of weighing up the risk to your health versus cost and with back injuries, the potential for serious problems/disability is too great.

Personally, I would get the operation done as soon as possible because if your injury/nerve damage gets worse, it will affect your earning potential anyway and the cost will be far greater than cash value.

If he is a good surgeon, with a good reputation and has been recommended, then that is all you need.

It cant be nice for you having this injury, so I would get this nipped in the bud now so you can start living your life.

Will go back to the GP Saturday hopefully and discuss this. I am not au fait with the process and did sort of think that if you have private medical you had to use it. My last operation experience, for a woman issue, was that the costs charged where roughly the recommened medicare ones and my private health paid the gap. I think in that case I was out of pocket a couple of hundred in total including anaesthetist.

I have just phone for the estimated charge of the anaesthetist to be used in this operation and have been told the Gap will be $1000. So my total costs are currently confirmed at 6500 so far. I know I will get a tax refund of the 20% over 1500 but this still feels high to me.

Thanks for your input Sally

Agree PP I need to push on - I just want to feel out if I have doing the right thing so far. After 30 plus years in one system this immigration lark can all feel very very new again even after 8 years in the country.

I would pursue the medicare option asap.
My son had operation on medicare, and was excellent treatment. Didnt cost a cent. The hospital doctors can get you treated urgent if needed, thats what happened with us.

Id check this with your gp.

Gems

I would defintely consider this as a future option for other procedures if I needed them and I had the time to plan. Looking at the internet it is defintely a growing industry. Just googled medical tourism and it was amazing. All the options are out there and not just for cosmetic.

I think the dental options are looking good for my old age options The boob job my hubby has always said I can do any time is defintely a third of the cost in Thailand (reduction not enhancement!). I would need to spend a lot of time researching this further though and not an option really for me now I think.

No, you can opt to go public. The advantage of private is that you can get elective surgery faster but you do not have to go that route. In your current situation, I should have hoped that it was considered urgent & essential & you should not have to wait too long if you went public. Your GP will be best placed to advise you on the situation local to you.
Best of luck

You get a referral to a public hospital and ask them. It varies on the area and the individual hospital.

I was on a wait list for 3 years for something non-urgent, but when my wife had something, she went for both private and public, and the public appointment came up before the private one, so she took that obviously It only took a few weeks waiting, and it wasn't even life threatening.

Everything varies, so always worth checking everything.

What Visa do you have ? All PR's are automatically entitled to full free treatment under Medicare, even 457's may well be eligible for some things.

When we had an anesthetist for my daughter, it was $500 gap and she was in the for just under 2 hours. That was in a private medical hospital, but was for a dental procedure.

Speak with your doctor anyway, as they may be able to give you names of other specialists so you can 'shop around'

Hope you get it all sorted soon