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Travel in oz

S

shelly88

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Hey guys, wondering can anyone help me out! I have type 1 diabetes, insulin dependent, I am going to Australia to travel and live there hopefully for as long as I can stick it! I don't want diabetes to stop me, but there is obviously some practical issues! Is there anyone that has done the same that could give me useful info! Is insulin and needles etc available free there through Medicare? What's the best way to keep insulin cool if travelling about! All and any advise or tips would be great ! Thanks
 
Hi Shelley, I cant really answer your questions with regards to insulin but I live in Australia...in a tiny place called Miners Rest which is just outside of a city called Ballarat which is 115km from Melbourne!!! We have what is called the National Diabetes Services Scheme which when you are enrolled you can purchase strips etc for a cheaper price. It is quite well run and you can save quite a few dollars.

Hope you have a wonderful time when you decide to venture down here!!

Warm regards

Sandra
:D
 
Like Sandra, I can't answer re insulin. As for the NDSS, it would depend on your visa status and any reciprocal arrangements with the UK. Generally you need to have permanent residency to have a medicare card ( and you need that to join NDSS). It does say on the information that 'some people from other countries may be eligible'....whatever that means. I suspect those from countries offering Australians the same kind of deal. As Sandra says, the discounts are good ( 100 strips @ about 9 GBP...retail is about 33 GBP....and similar discounts on other things).
cheers
paul
 
Thanks Sandra and paul! As far as I am aware I am eligible for Medicare card, or so I have been informed! Just wondering If Medicare covers insulin or how that would work! I will look into the other thing for discount! Thanks :)
 
Shelly, it all depends on individual circumstances. If you work in Australia, you pay for each prescription ( but the cost is capped at about $35 AUD if the drug is on the PBS...pharmaceutical benefits scheme....most drugs for diabetes are....Metformin eg costs 16.50 per 100 500mg tablets, I don't know about insulin...someone must). Bigger discounts apply to those who have a limited income. I'm not sure of that cap. There is a safety net provision so that no-one pays over a certain amount for medication in a calendar year ( I think it;s around $1250pa). I usually reach that around New Year's Eve. I hope someone can answer your insulin question more fully.
 
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