Medical procedure costs?

The_Assimilator

The_Assimilator

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My 22-year-old brother has suffered from abdominal pain for some time, eventually he agreed to go to the doctor. Long story short he ended up at Groote Schuur where they diagnosed him with a dilated bile duct and a polyp (possibly cancerous) in his gall bladder. They also did blood tests as his weight has dropped significantly (from 100 to 70kg). Today he went for an additional exam where he found he also has an anal fissure and an anal ulcer. He has to go for a coloscopy in December and a final meeting with the doctors in Jan to tell him exactly what is wrong and what needs to be done about it.

Obviously I'm pretty worried about this and would like to speed things up if possible. That means going private, and since he's a student and I don't have medical aid, I'm wondering what sort of costs I'm looking at, if anyone knows.

Also I'd like to join a medical aid to defray these costs, but from what I understand, they don't pay for your known medical conditions until 1 year after you start making contributions - which doesn't help with the (probably extortionate) private medical costs I'd be facing now. Are there any medical aids that offer a different option?
 
You are right about getting onto a medical aid. Most will impose a 3 month general waiting period and a 12 month condition specific waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
 
The_Assimilator said:
My 22-year-old brother has suffered from abdominal pain for some time, eventually he agreed to go to the doctor. Long story short he ended up at Groote Schuur where they diagnosed him with a dilated bile duct and a polyp (possibly cancerous) in his gall bladder. They also did blood tests as his weight has dropped significantly (from 100 to 70kg). Today he went for an additional exam where he found he also has an anal fissure and an anal ulcer. He has to go for a coloscopy in December and a final meeting with the doctors in Jan to tell him exactly what is wrong and what needs to be done about it.

Obviously I'm pretty worried about this and would like to speed things up if possible. That means going private, and since he's a student and I don't have medical aid, I'm wondering what sort of costs I'm looking at, if anyone knows.

Also I'd like to join a medical aid to defray these costs, but from what I understand, they don't pay for your known medical conditions until 1 year after you start making contributions - which doesn't help with the (probably extortionate) private medical costs I'd be facing now. Are there any medical aids that offer a different option?
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Can you not ask the hospital if they have a private section?
Then ask them about costs?

I have heard that joburg gen has a private section and apparwntly the costs are less than going to other private places. You get service quicker...
Note have heard, not sure if fact.
 
If you can find a decent specialist willing to break down the scope of work then the hospital's financial department can potentially give you an indicator of costs. I did this when I had mesenteric cysts removed some time back. It's based on on an assumption of theatre hours, consulting, drugs and hospitalisation...
 
To give you an idea, my wife had an ovarian cyst removed laproscopically. In and out the same day. Total cost: R30K
 
I've also heard that there are 2 paths at a public hospital one where its totally free and one where you pay a reduced rate.
The latter being much faster than the former.

How true it is I dont know but maybe worth finding out.

Some doctors are also willing to do pro-bono or reduced rate work so maybe make some calls its worth a shot.

I would not wait that long for something that may be cancerous.
 
Mesenteric cyst removal for me was R47k. Also one night in. Private hospital...
 
Medical aid is out the window as its a pre-existing condition and all will put a year's waiting period. Also the private sections at a public hospital do exist my Gran has been in Jhb one it's better then the normal parts but not by much and it still cost over 30k for her hip operation.
 
Lupus said:
Medical aid is out the window as its a pre-existing condition and all will put a year's waiting period. Also the private sections at a public hospital do exist my Gran has been in Jhb one it's better then the normal parts but not by much and it still cost over 30k for her hip operation.
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In the private sector it would have cost a lot more. Do not know about here, but in the UK my mom needs a hip op, after an injury) & and though public is free, it will cost her 15000 pounds if she has it done privately....
 
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