Will we have to pay?

[Guest Skippy]

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone can clarify something for me. I can't work out whether we'll have to pay in part or in full for my tablets for epilepsy. Little embarrassed. In the UK I have an exemption card for these for life. Can anyone give me an idea? I'd be very grateful for any pointers.

Anna x

[cint&mark]

Hi - my hubby suffers from epilepsy and currently pays $20 per month for the drugs he needs as he is not working at the mo. When he starts his job at the end of Jan he has been told his drugs will initially cost him a whopping $200 per month [eek] till he reaches a threshold{?? Not sure what that is...** then it will be subsidised. I realise this might not be of any help to you as I'm told it really depends on what drugs you require as to the amount you will have to pay. All the best x

[Guest kellyp]

Hi

 

I require life long medication for another condition which excempted me from all prescricption costs in the UK and have to pay in full for the medication over here. Not good but what can you do?

 

All the best.

 

Kelly

[cliffy]

If you are entitled to Medicare, there are subsidy schemes for PBS medications, once you have spent so much per family per annum: http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/services/scripts/pbs.jsp#N100E2

If your medication is not covered by PBS, you generally have to pay the full cost. It may be wise to check whether there is a similar medication on the PBS scheme, and you will have to pay only $32 per item.

[Guest Skippy]

Thanks so much for your replies. I'll sort it all out on arrival and just take it from there. So much to think about but we'll get there! Anna x

[Hayshake]

My wife needs permanent medication, and has found that one of the chemists she uses will supply generic drugs ie. similar to the prescribed ones, at a lower cost, but these do not qualify for the PBS limits. You have to spend about A$1200 year to gain the advantage of the reduced costs. It is quite a shock to the system to have to fund the medical treatment which was all free in the UK as we are retired.

[Guest CHORLEY GIRL]

Hi Anna,

 

Am in the same boat find it a bit confusing myself and am a little unsure how much it's going to cost us. I have epilepsy and am on 2 types of meds one of which i am told is not licenced over there so it will be more expensive.

 

I am looking into it at the moment but i suppose no point stressing as whatever i have to pay i will have to pay. Just hoping it's not an absolute fortune. If i find anything will let you know as my mate is looking into it it for me.

 

Cheers Jo x

[Guest oli]

If you take Lamictal/Lamotrigine you don't have to pay more than $32 a month regardless of the dosage level. One pack is 56x 50mg tablets.

 

Sodium Valproate must have some type of limit as well but I am not sure how much. These are usually dispensed in larger quantities (like a box with 100x 500mg tablets).

 

Every pharmacy has both these types available and you rarely have to wait more than 15 minutes for them to dispense the tablets.

[Guest Libby1971]

Re lamictal, it is 56 tablets of whatever dosage you take. However, you can ask for more tablets to be added to the prescription so you can get more at a time.

 

The PBS can be calculated as a family but it is difficult to reach the limit early in the year. We have a number of conditions that require medication and we hit the PBS in August. Since then we have been paying $5 per prescription. However, from Jan we pay the same $30 we did before.

 

It is costing us a fortune. BUT although we pay through it for meds, we do see docs at the drop of the hat without having to book an appt in a weeks time or having to justify your request to see a GP to a receptionist, and specialist treatment is good and quick.

[Guest oli]

Yes sorry that wasn't really clear. Point is you don't pay more than $32 or so.

 

I pay $2 for repeats. I have private cover, though I don't know if that makes a difference.