today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life

Wow I feel Lucky After I claim back from Medicare and the private health fund I am only about $4900 out of pocket.
I can't belive that some of you even with cover are $8000 out of pocket.
Goes to show just how different costs are.

My super told me I could have up to 80%.

11 years ago I did take out 90%

Maybe if you are younger, they take that into account. My super fund told me I could not take more than 25 percent. I am nearly 50, so I guess they wanted to preserve most of my super for retirement, when I can afford to at 75? LOL!

kel3182 wrote:

no You can take all of your super out.

My surgery was close to $20,000 because I didnt have PHI and I got all of it from my super.

Im only 28 so odviously i dont have heaps and heaps of super. I think i have been left with about $3,000 in my super

Phew! The previous comment had me worried! I haven't got that much in super, so only taking 25%% would have been cutting it fine...

no You can take all of your super out.

My surgery was close to $20,000 because I didnt have PHI and I got all of it from my super.

Im only 28 so odviously i dont have heaps and heaps of super. I think i have been left with about $3,000 in my super

Poor you!

They will not let you take more than 25 percent of your super out to cover surgery. I think that you are on the right track with applying for a PARTIAL release, citing that your sister will loan you whatever APRA will not release.

I think that you WILL win in the end. Just keep annoying them! Do not give up!

hun you poor thing :( i hope they approve you soon

hi and thank you for your support and advice,
I have asked my surgen for a new letter he was fabulouse with it I also have writen a personal letter and have submited my pay slip and other documents prooving that I do not have this money.

I had a call from apra now telling me that I do not have enough Super to cover the surgery . I was aware of this but did not know it would be an issue. I have to provide a stat dec from my sis that she will help me pay the rest of the money
This has been the longest and stressful time for me ever.

I am still hopefull and I pray to god that Iwill finaly see the light out of this dark tunel

Sylvia






fab I

gottarhyme wrote:

Sorry to hear this, Sylvia. I have been away with school stuff for a few days, and I haven't been here at all.

The wording in your letter from both your Doctor and your GP is very important. The letter MUST contain something about your obesity being a 'life threatening condition'.

My Doctor wrote that I was suffering from type two diabetes, (I am borderline) he also asked me about my family history, and my Dad died at age 51 from heart related problems, and my Mum has high blood pressure. He put all that history in the letter, saying that my obesity was a life threatening illness that would be cured from the surgery! The GP I had also copied the exact same phrase in HER letter in support of my surgery.

In addition, I added a letter myself to the application, citing my financial hardship. I virtually said I would lose my house if the surgery was not paid for via my super. If you need help re applying, PM me. I had the operation first, came to an arrangement with my surgeon to pay when my tax cheque arrived, or APRA, which ever came first. As it is, APRA approval came through.

They gave me $7000, but the surgery in total costs $4900. I applied for money I borrowed off my Mum to help me with bills as well.

Sorry to hear this, Sylvia. I have been away with school stuff for a few days, and I haven't been here at all.

The wording in your letter from both your Doctor and your GP is very important. The letter MUST contain something about your obesity being a 'life threatening condition'.

My Doctor wrote that I was suffering from type two diabetes, (I am borderline) he also asked me about my family history, and my Dad died at age 51 from heart related problems, and my Mum has high blood pressure. He put all that history in the letter, saying that my obesity was a life threatening illness that would be cured from the surgery! The GP I had also copied the exact same phrase in HER letter in support of my surgery.

In addition, I added a letter myself to the application, citing my financial hardship. I virtually said I would lose my house if the surgery was not paid for via my super. If you need help re applying, PM me. I had the operation first, came to an arrangement with my surgeon to pay when my tax cheque arrived, or APRA, which ever came first. As it is, APRA approval came through.

They gave me $7000, but the surgery in total costs $4900. I applied for money I borrowed off my Mum to help me with bills as well.

Yeah I had top health cover and I was still $8000ish out of pocket!

All the best Sylvia, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[ today has been a better day for me I have contacted APRA and send some more supporting letters from my doc, myself etc Had a call at 4 asking me to fax a stat dec by monday so I will do that and hopefully will hear something
THey told me that it will take 24-48 hours for the decision so I am still hopefull.

I am not giving up but I am tired it has been a tough day for me today.

Thank you so very much for all your kind words and wishes
I will keep you posted

Sylvia
quote="Sylvia41"]Thank you to all of you that has responded to my earlyer post this is something that I have written while on the train comming from work.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life my new begining my new chance in life to finaly change things that I had such a strugel to do.

I am sharing this with all of you You have been so wonderfull and suportive since I have joined the forum.
I have been breathing and leaving with the hope of getting the approval from APRA for the past 21 days. I thought that I have a fair chance like anyone My God how heart broken I feel right now. I am on my way home trying to hold my tears but they have a mind of their own... Drip drop Iam wearing my emotions on my face for the world to see and I hate myselfe for feeling like this.

Fat looser had failed one more time..LOL there is no way that I can raise 8000 before my surgery date not way imposible..this whole jurney have been imposible. Who was I kidding.Good thing dont happend to those that wait .

I think I am so down that this is going to be very hard to pick myselfe from and solger on.

I will try
sorry for being so dark it is something that I had to share with you all we all shere our happines and sadness
This is my sedness.

Sylvia[/quote]

Another +1 for joining PHI and waiting the 12mths. This also gives time to save up for relevant costs. I know that doesn't help much now, since you had your heart set on getting it done *right now*. I really wanted to get mine done in January this year, but couldn't due to concord not doing elective surgery in January. I had saved up enough to get it done without private health but no hospital bed = no surgery. So I decided to wait until PHI kicks in. Sure, I was disappointed, because like you I wanted it done *right now* but really, there are advantages to waiting the time out - makes sure you really want it, and have time to contemplate life with the sleeve and its permanence.

why not try a medical loan company.
http://medical-loan.com.au/

was one if found googling medical loans australia, there are heaps.

forgot to say, then you have to pay tax on APRA funds if you use a loan company you can claim the loan back on your tax..anything over $1500 is deductablie, gives you a 20% rebate instead of paying the tax man

may as well hang on to your super cause you will need it if you do have the procedure, your life expentancy will increase and super will be needed then!

I have joined a fund, waited the 12 months and will still be out of pocket nealy $8000.

Depends on where you are getting it done as to how much as if I did not have cover it would be nealy $20 000!

This might be a bit obvious , but is there any reason you cant join a private health fund. I was in a private fund , didnt have the correct cover , upgraded to their top cover (Medibank Private) waited 12 months & went ahead. The out of pocket for me was $2000 (much better than $8 - $10k if you self fund or get a loan etc). This may mean waiting 12 months but better than not being able to afford it indefinately.
Good luck
Laurie

Sorry you are feeling so bad, but the others are right - don't give up! And good luck!

Peazles wrote:

Generally if APRA have knocked you back it's because A) You have the money or B) The wording on your letter from your GP isn't what they want.
If it's B then just print off the information regarding the letter that's on this site, take it to your GP, and get her/him to write the letter in the wording that APRA require. APRA will reassess your application.

I totally agree. APRA were very good with me with communicating. You can always have them look at it again- to appeal it.

Dont give up, keep fighting you will get it.

Love and hugs

N

Generally if APRA have knocked you back it's because A) You have the money or B) The wording on your letter from your GP isn't what they want.
If it's B then just print off the information regarding the letter that's on this site, take it to your GP, and get her/him to write the letter in the wording that APRA require. APRA will reassess your application.

Hang in there, keep trying!!
Is it worth postponing your surgery to give you more time to save?
What about travelling interstate? In Adelaide, I'll be paying approx $3000 out of pocket.....if you factor in accomodation, flights etc, still might be more affordable??
Any chance of borrowing from family?
Check all your options!
Good luck xxx

Yes don't give up! Fight it! Also consider other ways...what about extending your level on your credit card. Expensive I know that but this is your life! Extending your morgage? Personal loan? Don't give up!

Dont give up! FIGHT IT WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT!!! YOUR MONEY....FIGHT!!!

You should talk to Gottarhyme. I remember her telling someone about what the wording of the letter to Apra needs to be so that you will get approved. You need to tell the Dr what to write so the approval will go through.
I do hope there is an appeal process and do find out what wording would help your application.
Please don't give up. Fight back but get a new letter from the Doc.
Good Luck and don't despair lovey.

I wish I knew what to say to help comfort you.

Did they tell you how long an appeal would take?

Does annyone know how long apeals take?

Thinking of you....

Thank you to all of you that has responded to my earlyer post this is something that I have written while on the train comming from work.

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life my new begining my new chance in life to finaly change things that I had such a strugel to do.

I am sharing this with all of you You have been so wonderfull and suportive since I have joined the forum.
I have been breathing and leaving with the hope of getting the approval from APRA for the past 21 days. I thought that I have a fair chance like anyone My God how heart broken I feel right now. I am on my way home trying to hold my tears but they have a mind of their own... Drip drop Iam wearing my emotions on my face for the world to see and I hate myselfe for feeling like this.

Fat looser had failed one more time..LOL there is no way that I can raise 8000 before my surgery date not way imposible..this whole jurney have been imposible. Who was I kidding.Good thing dont happend to those that wait .

I think I am so down that this is going to be very hard to pick myselfe from and solger on.

I will try
sorry for being so dark it is something that I had to share with you all we all shere our happines and sadness
This is my sedness.

Sylvia