The federal, state and territory governments fund a range of palliative care services that are free in the public health system – whether you receive care at home, in a residential aged care facility, in a palliative care unit or hospice, or in hospital (inpatient care).
Sometimes you may need to pay part of the cost of care. Examples of extra costs may include:
- hiring specialised equipment to use at home
- paying for medicines or wound dressings
- paying for your own nursing staff if you choose to stay at home and need 24-hour assistance
- paying an excess if you have private health insurance that covers palliative care and you go to a private hospital
- using short-term care (respite services) that charge a fee
- fees for private allied health professionals, such as a psychologist or physiotherapist (you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits per calendar year as part of a chronic disease management plan or 10 visits for a Mental Health Care Plan)
- paying for complementary therapies, such as massage therapy and acupuncture.
Ask what costs may be involved, and what amount may be covered, when making appointments. Cancer Council may be able to connect you to an appropriate financial professional. Call 13 11 20.
If you are admitted to a public hospital, palliative care unit or other facility as a private patient, check with your health fund that palliative care is covered. Ask your social worker about what financial help is available for patients and carers from Centrelink and other organisations in your area.
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Prof Meera Agar, Palliative Care Physician, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Technology Sydney, IMPACCT, Sydney, NSW; Anne Booms, Nurse Practitioner, Palliative Care, Icon Cancer Centre Midlands, WA; Nicola Champion, Consumer; John Clements, Consumer; Dr Alexandra Clinch, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Deputy Director, Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; A/Prof Jaklin Eliott, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, SA; Dr Jemma Gilchrist, Clinical Psychologist, Mind My Health, NSW; McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer, VIC; Caitlin MacDonagh, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Palliative Care, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW; Dr Roya Merie, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Concord, NSW; Dr Deidre Morgan, Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University, SA; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Palliative Care Australia.
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