A quick diagnosis means Kiwi's aren't left in the dark
In a recent health journey, a 55-year-old woman discovered the invaluable role of private health insurance when facing a potential life-altering diagnosis. From abdominal pain to a blood cancer diagnosis within just 5.5 months, her story highlights the critical importance of swift access to healthcare, and why private health insurance is becoming essential in New Zealand.
A 55 year old female client of Allanah’s recently discovered how thankful she was to have private health insurance. After having abdominal pain, she went to her GP who recommended blood tests. From there elevated platelets were detected in her blood tests. Thanks to her health insurance, the client decided to go privately to get an ultrasound done, which showed gallstones. Within the space of a month from the time she visited her GP, she was privately referred through to a Gastroenterologist who determined that the gallstones were not the reason for elevated platelets.
Throughout the next two months, she received extensive blood testing which determined a gene mutation in her bone marrow. It was at this stage she was told that if she went through the public health system she would have to wait 6 months to see a specialist. Again, thanks to her health insurance, she privately saw a haematologist specialist in Christchurch. By this stage the client had done her research and knew that she had a type of blood cancer. She knew that depending on what type she had would greatly affect her life - with the more minor type offering a normal life expectancy and the more major type, a life expectancy of 3-5 years. At this specialist appointment she opted to have a bone marrow biopsy to determine the type of cancer found. It was determined to be the more major outcome. The time frame from seeing her GP to finding out her diagnosis was just under 6 months (with delays of one month due to her being overseas). If she had to rely on the public system she wouldn’t have even yet seen the haematologist.
While the outcome isn’t quite what the client had hoped and there is no cure, it has allowed her to focus on what she can control - her diet, exercise and stress, all of which greatly impact her condition. Acting quickly has allowed her to reduce her risk, which has also improved her test results and adds to a greater life expectancy. She admitted it was emotionally challenging at the start, but once she had the diagnosis and a plan moving forward, her life became easier and she has the knowledge of what changes to make and she can now just get on with life.
If she had to have waited 6 months to see the haematologist, she admitted it would have been 6 months of hell. Knowing you have cancer and not knowing which type or how far along it was, would have made it impossible to have lived a normal life and would have been extremely emotionally taxing. This added stress, plus not having the advantage of making lifestyle changes sooner, would have greatly affected her health even more. From the time of her ultrasound to the diagnosis, she believes if she had to wait on the public health system, the whole process would have taken close to a year.
The client’s health insurance policy costs her $3,834 a year or roughly $74 a week. That is the equivalent of around 12 coffees a week or 7 drinks at a bar.
If you would like to discuss taking out a health insurance policy to ensure you are protected, then get in touch with our Insurance Advisor, Allanah. She can present you with some options that best suit your lifestyle and budget and help you to manage the policy going forward or if the time comes to claim. Give her a call on 021 246 3354 or click here to find out more