15 replies to this topic

[BlueBoyBandit]

Hi all,

For anyone that is interested, I have decided to start a blog about my journey from the beginning. If anyone is interested in reading or following my blog to gain a perspective from a young Australian male, check out my blog site:

http://ozguylapbandj...logspot.com.au/

[sharm]

An interesting read. Thank you and good luck

[Jason]

Hi Blue Boy yes it is an interesting read and am enjoying it but i have to correct you a bit as the cost of a lapband even if you are paying for it yourself is not $20 - 30 k on average its around $15k still alot I know but i have never seen any costs that are over $20k just thought i would mention :-)

[deb5291]

good luck to you & im self funded cost just under $15000.00 with some back from medicare but not much

again good luck

deb

[misskezz]

deb5291, on 17 February 2012 - 08:37 AM, said:

good luck to you & im self funded cost just under $15000.00 with some back from medicare but not much again good luck deb

Wow - I am self funded too but what did you get back through Medicare? I was lead to believe that I would get nothing. I'm a little bit excited now

[BlueBoyBandit]

Hi all. My apologies on my error on the cost. I went back and checked and you are all correct, the cost I was quoted was just over $15K so I have updated that part of my post. I really didn't take too much notice of the figure when I was told about it apart from knowing it was quite a lot. As I already had Private Health, the out of pocket figure was what I was mostly concerned about at the time.

Thanks for your comments and support. I will do my best to keep the blog up to date with my progress to hopefully provide you all something good and helpful to read

[Jason]

misskezz, on 17 February 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

Wow - I am self funded too but what did you get back through Medicare? I was lead to believe that I would get nothing. I'm a little bit excited now

The only amount i get back from Medicare is from the Anaesthetist who charges $1000 and i get back $333 but i have heard that you can also claim 20% on the total when you get your tax done so i will get back nearly $3500. Thats all i have heard :-)

[sharm]

jayshay, on 18 February 2012 - 05:13 PM, said:

The only amount i get back from Medicare is from the Anaesthetist who charges $1000 and i get back $333 but i have heard that you can also claim 20% on the total when you get your tax done so i will get back nearly $3500. Thats all i have heard :-)

I am an accountant and you are right that anything over $2000 out of pocket on medical expenses you get 20% back as a tax rebate. Need to have taxable income to offset it against

[ROBSKI]

Hi Sharm does that include all the optifast? I think I'm allowed to include my Diabetes medicine also

[sharm]

ROBSKI, on 20 February 2012 - 12:10 PM, said:

Hi Sharm does that include all the optifast? I think I'm allowed to include my Diabetes medicine also

Robski the optifast would have to be specifically prescribed by the doctor (in writing). The diabetes medicine should be fine if it is a medication purchased from a chemist. I have attached a couple of items that don't qualify direct from ATO for people to reference.
Expenses which do not qualify as medical expenses include payments made for:

• cosmetic operations for which a Medicare benefit is not payable
  
• dental services or treatments that are solely cosmetic
  
• therapeutic treatment where the patient is not formally referred by a doctor (a mere suggestion or recommendation by a doctor to the patient is not enough for the treatment to qualify; the patient must be referred to a particular person for specific treatment)
  
• chemist-type items, such as tablets for pain relief, purchased in retail outlets or health food stores
  
• inoculations for overseas travel
  
• non-prescribed vitamins or health foods
  
• travel or accommodation expenses associated with medical treatment
  
• contributions to a private health insurer
  
• purchases from a chemist that are not related to an illness or operation

[ROBSKI]

Thanks for that Sharm

[LBA]

Hi,

Sharm, I'm a stay at home Mum and I just wondered if we'd be able to claim that 20% tax rebate back based on my partner's taxable income? Sorry to ask another accountancy question, just would be so good if we could get a little back as trying to buy a house at the mo.

Thankyou,
Lisax

[JaimiM]

Oww I would also like to know the answer to that as I too am a "domestic goddess" and as such don't do a tax return I just send in the form to say I haven't earnt anything. Would be good to know for tax time if he could claim on my behalf or if I would be able to do so without having a taxable income.

[nurselea]

Have heard by lady at work who self funded that she was able to withdraw the money off her super for the surgery as it was going to improve her health its allowed

[LBA]

Jumma, on 22 February 2012 - 12:56 PM, said:

Oww I would also like to know the answer to that as I too am a "domestic goddess" and as such don't do a tax return I just send in the form to say I haven't earnt anything. Would be good to know for tax time if he could claim on my behalf or if I would be able to do so without having a taxable income.

Hey Jumma, I just popped into medicare office and the lady thought that I would be able to claim the tax rebate of 20% back based on my partner's taxable income, she was not 100% but said to ask an accountant and check but she seemed to think that it was ok to do. Defo worth looking into, let me know if you find any more out and I'll message you if I find out for sure if we can get it too.
Lisa x

[Stephyza]

BlueBoyBandit, on 16 February 2012 - 05:53 PM, said:

Hi all,

For anyone that is interested, I have decided to start a blog about my journey from the beginning. If anyone is interested in reading or following my blog to gain a perspective from a young Australian male, check out my blog site:

http://ozguylapbandj...logspot.com.au/

Great blog. Thanks for sharing. My op is on 13th March.

Good luck and I look forward to reading more of your blog.