topic Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare? in Community Spirit

Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:33:12 GMT

Last time I had my eyes tested I was told I have cataracts in both eyes. I can't afford to pay for the surgery so I'll have to go on the waiting list.

How do I get on the waiting list?

Can OPSM give me a referral or do I need to see my GP?

How long is the waiting list? Will they do both eyes at the same time?

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:34:58 GMT

I am on the public waiting list, eye specialist wrote to who ever does it...........it is a long list.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

lurker17260 — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:39:29 GMT

I don't know anything about cost or Medicare, but when speaking to someone the other day who needs both done she said they won't do both at the same time in case something goes wrong.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

freddie*rooster — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:42:03 GMT

Catty you would need to get a referral from your GP to see an eye Specialist. They won't operate until the cataract is covering the eye to a certain degree.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:42:38 GMT

How long have you been on the waiting list for purple?

Lurker - yes I've also heard they won't do both at the same time but I meant surely if I'm on the public list and I have one done I won't have to wait another year or two to have the second surgery.

Am I even eligible for 'free' surgery, as I work full time.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:43:59 GMT

@freddie*rooster wrote:
Catty you would need to get a referral from your GP to see an eye Specialist. They won't operate until the cataract is covering the eye to a certain degree.

The eye specialist I saw 3 years ago said the cataract (there was only one when I saw her) was small but it was right in a position to affect my eye sight. I think it's starting to affect my driving.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:56:59 GMT

Cat, I have been on the waiting list for 2 yrs...

I was at the eye specialist last week & while I was waiting some one rang up to see about having cataracts removed privately & the rececptionist told her she would be out of pocket $3000.

It is expensive.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:59:43 GMT

I have glaucoma as well in my left eye and I am slowly going blind, having the cataracts in that eye, is not helping. I had a letter 2yrs ago letting me know that I was on the list, after Easter, I am going to ring and see how much longer I have to wait.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:59:52 GMT

I figured it was around $3000 per eye. Good grief! 2 years and still waiting?

I've just been googling cataracts and it seems driving in sun glare and at night (glare from headlights) can highlight vision problems due to cataracts. This is what's happened to me today, driving in sun glare without sunnies.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

freddie*rooster — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:01:50 GMT

Catty some cataracts are slow growing, other's fast, the waiting list would depend on the Hospital. locally where I am I wouldn't be certain but a guess would be 3-6 months. Yes you would be entitled to the surgery under medicare.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:20:17 GMT

That is how it effects me too Cat, it is the cataractsm I have terrible trouble with my eyes.

From what I could gather from the eye specialist there is a place down in Dandenong part of the eye hospital that is in the city, so there is more than one place.

I dont have that sort of money so will have to stay on the list.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

lind9650 — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:39:17 GMT

Ms. Cat, I live in a small country town, but with three Hospitals around me. My Optometrist refered me to the Eye Specialist that has a clinic in the next town, when he saw that new glasses would not help because of cataracts. I was put on a waiting list, waited four month and had one eye done, then three month later the other one.

I had to pay $128.- for the referal, then $68.- per visit, but they claimed through Medicare and by the time I got home half the payment was paid back to me from Medicare.

Unfortunately the removal of the cataracts are only a temporary help to me. I have Macular Dgeneration and am slowly going blind.

Shop around and see if there is a hospital near you that works with an Eye Surgeon. Ask your GP, he should have all the information.

Good luck for good results, Erica

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:39:39 GMT

Thanks Mrs Freddie and purple. I'll see my GP in a week or two and ask for a referral.

I guess my minor accident has proved to be a kick in the butt.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:42:46 GMT

Erica, how long ago did you have your cataracts done?

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:44:59 GMT

Erica I'm sorry to hear the cataract surgery didn't fully fix your eye problems.

Can I ask if you are on a pension of some kind or rather, a health care card? I'd love it if I was only out of pocket a $100 or $200. I wonder if living in a smaller country town means a shorter waiting list than in the city?

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:50:30 GMT

@cat_mioux wrote:
Erica I'm sorry to hear the cataract surgery didn't fully fix your eye problems.

Can I ask if you are on a pension of some kind or rather, a health care card? I'd love it if I was only out of pocket a $100 or $200. I wonder if living in a smaller country town means a shorter waiting list than in the city?

It probably does mean that Cat, Erica I think lives down East Gippsland..............I asked her how long ago she had it done, she hasnt answered yet, if it was a long time ago, well that explains why it is cheap.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

bluecat*dancing — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:52:26 GMT

Go see your GP , Mioux and get a referral to a specialist. I think my mum had hers done at Epworth as a public patient.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

lind9650 — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 10:53:22 GMT

Purple, I had my cataracts done about 14 month ago, by Dr. David Ehrlich.

Ms. Cat, yes I am on tthe Age Pension, but being on a halth card or paying into Medicare should not make any difference.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

purple_haize — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:04:08 GMT

Erica, thanks for that, will tell my eye specialist when I go back.

I am going blind in my left eye due to glaucoma.............this getting old is the pits.

Re: Cataract surgery on Medicare?

cat_mioux — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 11:24:14 GMT

@lind9650 wrote:
Purple, I had my cataracts done about 14 month ago, by Dr. David Ehrlich.

Ms. Cat, yes I am on tthe Age Pension, but being on a halth card or paying into Medicare should not make any difference.

Thanks for that Erica. 🙂

Purple best wishes for you too.