Being sick is expensive

I get medication fortnightly, normally the day after I get paid. At the moment Im not getting a regular income as Im on unpaid leave and my Dad is covering my cost (Im caring for my sister)

Anyhow I got my fortnightly medications yesterday. One fortnight I get my monthly webster pack and a few medications not in it. The next fortnight I get the rest of my medications not included in my webster pack. In total I take 27 different medication. 8 of which are psych meds and 4 are for pain, 1 of those is a patch that lasts a week. I can only get a prescription for 2 patches a fortnight, so I have to see my GP at least fortnightly just for that.

It costs around about $500 a month on my medication alone. Thankfully around July/August I will reach my safety limit and the cost will reduce a fair bit however 2 of my meds arent on the PBS so it will still cost full price for them. I will get a little back from my private health.

As I say I have to see my GP at least fortnightly, but I typically there more often than that. I put aside $200 a fortnight for that. Typically the appointments cost around $120-$140 as they are long. I get some back but typically enough to cover the next appointment.

I have like 9 or 10 specialists, Im normally at one or the other at least monthly, somehow I have to come up with the money for them as there is no room in the budget

Ive had 3 surgeries so far this year, I have another coming up shortly, hopefully at the end of the week. I have at least 1 more this year, more likely 2 or 3. This year, in comparison to last year looks to be a quieter year on the surgery front. I managed to pay for the first one, but have had to borrow money from my Dad to pay for the others

Again a fortunate thing is that arounnd July/August I will reach my Medicare Safety Limit and the rebate will be significantly higher.

I am fortunate, my psychologist bulk bills. They are trying to impliment a payment system where we pay full balance and rebate means its $40 a session. Its not a huge cost, but having to pay the full amount upfront would be hard. My psychologist is fighting for a group of her patients to remain on the bulk bill system due to hardship.

I have private health, I really cant not have it with all my medical costs, surgeries and the like I certainly get my monies worth, though it is another $280 a month. Im with Defence Health and got on there when they still did the ultimate package so I get great cover but I also dont pay a gap if I go into hospital, the whole thing is covered.

I should be seeing a Psychiatrist, so far I have seen an urgent one via a rural program but I think I am done on that program so I am trying to figure out how to afford that. The first appointment is something like $300 and after that $200 which for a Psychiatrist isnt bad I suppose but its a lot to find.

Its bloody expensive being sick. You know one or 2 issues might be something you can deal with but all my stuff, I need a far better paying job lol

Ive got all the normal bills as well, its a little easier as I live at home but I pay board and my own food.

I dont currently have a car, my old ones engine siezed christmas eve and I havent had the $$ to replace it. Dad has stated he would but that hasnt happened but I have use of Mums car, she doesnt really drive anymore so its not an inconvienience. I also work from home so there isnt much travel needed other than doctors appointments for me and my sister.

I have a number of debts with a few financial firms that with the help of my Financial Councillor we are trying to have waived given my circumstance. I havent even included the hole helping my sister put me in.

I know I have written about this before but its really playing on my mind today. The financial costs of being sick are enormus and weigh on me, not just me anyone who is sick. Medicare hasnt been funded properly for years so rebates arent keeping up. Specialist think they can charge whatever they like and PBS is not much better than Medicare. I get the safety limits but for the first 6 or 7 months your paying quite a bit more than the other 6-5 months so its just hard to cover the costs for a while and then you get a break. It would be so much better if it was smoothed over the course of the year. It would also be good if we paid the gap for appointments, not the whole cost upfront then got a rebate. Its damn expensive and hard to come up with upfront.

Financially it is a real burden and adding significant stress and anxiety