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More advice needed


Lisa S

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Hi all. As it goes my life is full of drama, we will be arriving in Perth on the 11 April 2010 for good. YAY!!! That is the good news, the bad news is my 19 year old had a MVA on the 28 Nov 09 just had minor back injuries (muscular) so we thought. 3 Weeks ago we found out he actually fractured his spine and it has now got significantly worse. Today after being readmitted to hospital and having a MRI and CT scan we have been informed that he needs to have a high risk back op, which will require us to stay in this country for no less than 6 months. Well what a shock, the other alternative is for him to get a back brace here and then when we arrive there he will need to see a orthodaedic Surgeon to decide what he will do. Firstly our tickets are paid for and booked, secondly we have to activate by 30 June 2010, thirdly I can not afford to go activate and then come back, any way we have already resigned and there are people already in our positions at work, both mine and my husbands.

My question to you is, will medicare cover this op or what. Is private medical like SA where if it is a pre existing problem there is a waiting period. We have been told this can not wait too much longer as he is a risk of paralysis due to the worsening of the fracture. Can anyone give me some information or even someone who I can contact to find out about this.

Thanx

Lisa

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Private Health Cover l will defintely have an exclusion for Pre-exsisting conditions. Depending on which health insurance co exclusion can be as longa s 12 months.

On Medicare he should be covered but will have to go on a waiting list, depending on the severity can be as short as 3 months and as long as ....well how long is a piece of string?

Good luck

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My thoughts are with you.

Perhaps get a second and even a third opinion in RSA.

Perhaps phone/email medicare to get direct feedback from them.

Blessings

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So sorry to hear about your son's accident.

As far as I know, you should be covered by Medicare, but I think it's best to find out for sure.

All the best with your decision. Perhaps you can look into possibly postponing your validation trip? Not sure if you can legally do that.

Good luck and hope your son recovers soon!

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Thank you everyone for your replies. It seem medicare does not cover too much I am more confused now than ever. They say they do not cover hospital only part of the Doctors bill. So who covers hospital? Do we have to pay for that ourselves. Where is the government health system in this.

This is not an easy thing to go through. So many things are racing through my mind at the moment and one wrong decision could cost my sons health and mobility.

I have phoned many departments but nobody seems to be able to give me a clear answer in Oz.

The Doctor we have seen in SA is apparently one of the most conservative and few spinal doctors in Durban. And he has been highly recommended by other Doctors. I was told if he says operate then any other Doctor would say the same.

We decided today that we will leave on the 10 April and once I am in Oz I will do my own research and go see a specialist to see what they say and who will pay, or what the waiting list is like. If we feel that it is too much of a risk I will return to SA with my son and have the op this side. Once he has recovered a little I will return and he will follow on full recovery which they say is 6-8 months. He will be under the care of my in-laws and other family members. I will just have to keep on paying medical aid to cover this. After all he is 19 and I am sure will survive this.

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I wish you all the best, this must be a really difficult time for you and your family. Good luck with everything.

xxx

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Just an update of our situation. We have decided for my son to have the op in SA. My husband and son will fly to Aus this weekend to activate his visa, at least my husband can see some companies and hopefully secure a job for when we return. My son has been booked for the op 6 April. We will only fly out now in May sometime depending on his recovery. We will leave him here to recover and then he will come over in a couple of months.

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Shame Lisa I really feel for you. Think you have made the best decision. Will be thinking of you and your family. Am so glad that it was seen to as could have been really nasty.

Take care Kita

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