How do you manage the cost of treatment?

[Wah]

Hello forum community

I am wondering if anyone out there has an secrets to share about managing the cost of treatment? 

I work part time and do not qualify for a HCC. I can keep on top of my scripts but add in a weekly or fortnightly psychology session and I am stuffed. I got a GP care plan but it still costs me per visit and I find at the moment I can't afford it even though I know it would help. At present I am seeing my Psychiatrist every 3-4 weeks and that is a big cost too. 

Thanks 

Wah

[Chris_B]

Hi Wah, one thing that might be worth looking into is the ATAPs program, which allows for a certain number of fully-funded sessions with a psychologist if you meet certain criteria. The program is administered through Medicare Locals.  There's more information on this program here.

[Carmen_Lisa]

Hi there. I've had the same problem. While I do appreciate that a co-payment does mean I am choosing to value the service I am paying for, there comes a time when I literally can't afford all the bills. So I'm currently taking a gamble in the public system. I see a psychiatrist today and I'm super anxious. I'm curious about the link Chris has posted though. That could be really helpful. 

[Nuk]

Psychologists and Psychiatrists are very expensive, even with medicare rebates. I don't have a health care card but what I did was ask my psychiatrist if he would still see me if I couldn't pay due to my financial hardships - at the moment I don't have a car due to being in a car accident and it being written off, I work casually, go to uni full time as well. 

The previous year I had a few health complications and had reached the medicare threshold by mid year so I wasn't out of pocket too much - except I had paid however much you are required to spend on healthcare! 

I asked my psychologist as well, which they were happy to do. With my psychiatrist I only require a referral and can have ongoing treatment and am not limited to the 10 sessions per calender year (or 12 in some cases), so I opted to see my psychiatrist more often.

Some times it pays just to ask and explain the situation.