Medibank Private charging cancer patients extra for day chemotherapy treatment
AMA Federal Treasurer and senior oncologist, Dr Allan Zimet, today slammed Medibank Private for charging cancer patients who are intermediate fund members an extra $50 per chemotherapy session in day hospital facilities.
Dr Zimet said the $50 charge would be affecting thousands of cancer patients Australia-wide.
"This unexpected financial hardship is the last thing needed by cancer sufferers, particularly when they have taken out private health insurance," Dr Zimet said.
"In most cases, these are very sick elderly people who are led to believe that their health fund would cover their total hospital bill.
"These patients are not working or have to disrupt their work to seek treatment.
"Patients could be paying as much as an extra $1500 out of their own pocket for six months treatment - over and above their health fund membership fees.
"A patient undergoing adjuvant colon cancer treatment would usually require five admissions a month for six months through day hospital care. That's $1500 they didn't think they would have to pay when they joined the health fund.
"It makes a mockery of the expensive 'no gaps' campaign. It's more like a 'no heart' campaign.
"The AMA wrote to Medibank Private in August raising concerns about the new charges.
"While the policy may have been intended to discourage inappropriate day care admissions, it has caused a lot of collateral damage. It is discriminating against patients who need intensive day only care over a prolonged period.
"Whether intended or unintended, the consequences of the $50 charge are that a lot of sick people are experiencing unexpected financial difficulties on top of the burden of ill-health," Dr Zimet said.
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306