I am a UK citizen living in Australia on temporary visa until yr 2013. As such we are entitled to reciprocal healthcare as the arrangement between the UK and Australia.
I have been hearing impaired for sometime now, and was wearing Siemans aids provided by the UK NHS in both ears for sometime. 8 months ago I had a bad ear infection which has resulted in almost deafness in my left ear, I have no useable sound and therefore HA is of no use. My right ear has got progressively worse and I have since purchased a Phonak Nadia for my right ear.
My Australian ENT doctor feels CI in my left ear is the way forward for me. I am very excited by this, and am hoping that I will once again feel like I am taking part in life and not sitting on the sidelines!! I have recently had my MRI and CT scans done and am waiting for my pre-assessment appt, my understanding is that the waiting list here is approx 6 months.
However, I have since found out that the reciprocal healthcare arrangement does not cover CI, and I will be looking at paying in excess of $30,000, which currently is not an option.
- I am therefore wondering if anyone knows what the waiting lists are like in the UK? I am presuming that that NHS covers all costs for cochlear? (Perhaps I could have all the pre-assessment done here, and fly back to the UK for the implant?)
- Does anyone have a contact name of an ENT Doctor in the UK that I could write to for advise?
- Otherwise can anyone recommend an Australian health insurance, that would cover the costs for CI? Presumably I would need to hold the policy for a year before claiming?
Hope someone maybe able to advise.
Thanks in advance
Tracy
I have been hearing impaired for sometime now, and was wearing Siemans aids provided by the UK NHS in both ears for sometime. 8 months ago I had a bad ear infection which has resulted in almost deafness in my left ear, I have no useable sound and therefore HA is of no use. My right ear has got progressively worse and I have since purchased a Phonak Nadia for my right ear.
My Australian ENT doctor feels CI in my left ear is the way forward for me. I am very excited by this, and am hoping that I will once again feel like I am taking part in life and not sitting on the sidelines!! I have recently had my MRI and CT scans done and am waiting for my pre-assessment appt, my understanding is that the waiting list here is approx 6 months.
However, I have since found out that the reciprocal healthcare arrangement does not cover CI, and I will be looking at paying in excess of $30,000, which currently is not an option.
- I am therefore wondering if anyone knows what the waiting lists are like in the UK? I am presuming that that NHS covers all costs for cochlear? (Perhaps I could have all the pre-assessment done here, and fly back to the UK for the implant?)
- Does anyone have a contact name of an ENT Doctor in the UK that I could write to for advise?
- Otherwise can anyone recommend an Australian health insurance, that would cover the costs for CI? Presumably I would need to hold the policy for a year before claiming?
Hope someone maybe able to advise.
Thanks in advance
Tracy
