Does Medicare in Australia Cover Costs for Temporary Iliostomy?

Hi I am new to the Forums. Can anyone in Australia tell me whether or not we get financial help from medicare with all the things I will need once I have had my surgery and have a temporary iliostomy. I am a Pommy living in Oz for the past few years, I have medicare as part of my very expensive parent visa, but I do not have private health care. How much will it all cost on a monthly basis.

Hi Helen



I am in OZ, Queensland and yes you are able to get help from Medicare. First of all, you need to see a stoma nurse at your hospital who will be able to write out forms for membership to the closest Association to you and send the forms into the Association. They will send you a SAS (Stoma Appliance Scheme) Card which is backed fully by Medicare. There is a Stoma Association in every state. You need to join one of these where you are, there will be a small annual fee then nothing unless you want something that is not on the SAS.



If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to answer this reply and I will tell you what I can. I work at the Gold Coast Ostomy Association as stock control volunteer. Have a fairly good knowledge of what happens.



Cheers and hope you find this message helpful.



Jax

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Thanks Jax, that helps a lot, its scary enough going in for the surgery and any info. about what happens afterwards is great. I did get a helpful email from Maree when I first registered. I think my biggest worries after the surgery apart from coping with the ostomy is food, can I drink wine.

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Of course you can drink wine. As long as you drink in moderation as before.



Food is sometimes a bugger but I am sure you will figure it out.





JAx