Enter your postcode to find your nearest store to have a face-to-face chat!
.
Medibank at Home is trialling a chemotherapy program in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales metro and Queensland metro to give members greater choice over where they receive their cancer treatment.
In May 2016, Medibank commenced a trial program in Western Australia, giving eligible members the choice to receive chemotherapy in their own home. Medibank has since commenced trials in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales metro and Queensland metro.
To take part, members must have hospital insurance that includes chemotherapy services and served all relevant waiting periods*, and their treating doctor must consider it appropriate for them. Medibank funds the services which are delivered by qualified and experienced service providers.
Emotional benefits of chemotherapy in the home:
We’re exploring different ways of providing our members with greater choice and increased flexibility by offering chemotherapy in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home. They benefit from:
- Being closer to their family or support network
- Increased privacy
- Reduced time costs associated with travel, waiting and discharge.
Many of the program’s participants report that being able to continue with activities of daily life helps them feel more ‘normal’.
A view to expand
Medibank at Home’s - Chemotherapy Trial has already expanded from Perth, to South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales metro and Queensland metro. We’re hoping that early encouraging results will lead to a national roll-out, providing more Medibank members with the choice to receive care where they most want it.
Not only will this give members more choice, it will also support a more sustainable healthcare system. Delivering chemotherapy in the home will free up services and resources in hospitals, helping to build capacity and manage growing demand.
Check your eligibility today
To find out more about the trial, including if you are eligible, call the Medibank at Home team on 1300 733 338 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm AEST) or email Health.Programs@medibank.com.au.
Frequently asked questions
Chemotherapy, which is often just referred to as ‘chemo’, is the use of drugs to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemo is usually given intravenously, which means via a vein. Sometimes it is given in other ways, such as orally, as a cream, or as injections into different parts of the body.
The diagnosis of cancer and enduring the treatments that follow can be an emotional and stressful time for patients and their families.
It is not only the patient's health that is impacted; they are also faced with big decisions about their treatment and care, have to spend a significant amount of time in hospital, and travelling to and from medical appointments. Often too ill to drive or take public transport, these patients sometimes have to rely on a support network of carers to get to these appointments.
To take part, members must have hospital insurance that includes chemotherapy services and served all relevant waiting periods*, and their treating doctor must consider it appropriate for them.
To find out more and assess your eligibility for the Medibank at Home Chemotherapy Trial, contact a Member Health Services Officer on 1300 733 338 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm AEST) or email Health.Programs@medibank.com.au.
Interested in assessing your eligibility? Contact a Member Health Services Officer on 1300 733 338 (Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm AEST) or email Health.Programs@medibank.com.au.
Watch Liam's story
Things you should know
*Out of pocket expenses may apply
While we hope you find this information helpful, please note that it is general in nature. It is not health advice, and is not tailored to meet your individual health needs. You should always consult a trusted health professional before making decisions about your health care. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them. For these reasons we are unable to accept responsibility for any loss that may be sustained from acting on this information (subject to applicable consumer guarantees).
Have questions?
Our team of experts are ready to help!
Fill in the form below or get in touch by calling our dedicated line 1300 110
086.
We are open on Sundays.
In providing your telephone number, you consent to Medibank contacting you about health insurance.
We'll have someone call you soon to help with any questions you have.
Or, check out our FAQs and guides to help get you started.