BRADBURY man Chris Butta’s elation and pride at losing 85kg has been soured by a potential $40,000 bill for body lift surgery to remove excess skin.
After years of obesity, at his heaviest topping 160kg and coupled with lows of depression, the 20-year-old was snapped into action when he started having suicidal thoughts.
Over a 12-month period, he underwent a transformation, losing half of his body weight. But Mr Butta’s rollercoaster ride is continuing, when he discovered the surgery to remove the vast folds of skin caused by his weight loss does not qualify for a Medicare rebate.
He said he had to have 20cm of loose skin cut from his abdomen in an operation he says could take up to seven hours.
That operation will take place on June 6.
He will undergo another procedure at least three months later to have a male breast lift and reconstruction.
A letter to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon provided little comfort. In fact Mr Butta says he will continue pressuring the government to reconsider its stand on such surgery.
A letter to Mr Butta on behalf of the minister from Population Health Division assistant secretary Cath Peachey said Medicare was for “clinically relevant professional services”.
She wrote obesity was a “complex” problem and needed a community-wide approach.
“Even though I’ve lost the weight I still feel like I’m in a fat body. Nothing has changed and there’s no way I can live with that,” Mr Butta said. “It’s not about vanity; I just want to feel normal.”
In another blow, his private health insurer says if the procedure does not have a Medicare item number then it is not liable to subsidise the surgery.
The young man is close to raising the $40,000 but is upset his surgery is viewed as cosmetic.
He challenges the federal Health Department to review its interpretation of body lift surgery, particularly in light of the Australian obesity epidemic.
A spokesman for Ms Roxon said she was unable to make a comment by the Chronicle’s deadline.
Obessity, it costs a fortune to pile it up and it costs a fortune to get rid of it. Eat, drink and be merry! HA!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Chris Butta challenges Medicare over his $40,000 medical bill
BRADBURY man Chris Butta’s elation and pride at losing 85kg has been soured by a potential $40,000 bill for body lift surgery to remove excess skin.
After years of obesity, at his heaviest topping 160kg and coupled with lows of depression, the 20-year-old was snapped into action when he started having suicidal thoughts.
Over a 12-month period, he underwent a transformation, losing half of his body weight. But Mr Butta’s rollercoaster ride is continuing, when he discovered the surgery to remove the vast folds of skin caused by his weight loss does not qualify for a Medicare rebate.
He said he had to have 20cm of loose skin cut from his abdomen in an operation he says could take up to seven hours.
That operation will take place on June 6.
He will undergo another procedure at least three months later to have a male breast lift and reconstruction.
A letter to Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon provided little comfort. In fact Mr Butta says he will continue pressuring the government to reconsider its stand on such surgery.
A letter to Mr Butta on behalf of the minister from Population Health Division assistant secretary Cath Peachey said Medicare was for “clinically relevant professional services”.
She wrote obesity was a “complex” problem and needed a community-wide approach.
“Even though I’ve lost the weight I still feel like I’m in a fat body. Nothing has changed and there’s no way I can live with that,” Mr Butta said. “It’s not about vanity; I just want to feel normal.”
In another blow, his private health insurer says if the procedure does not have a Medicare item number then it is not liable to subsidise the surgery.
The young man is close to raising the $40,000 but is upset his surgery is viewed as cosmetic.
He challenges the federal Health Department to review its interpretation of body lift surgery, particularly in light of the Australian obesity epidemic.
A spokesman for Ms Roxon said she was unable to make a comment by the Chronicle’s deadline.
Obessity, it costs a fortune to pile it up and it costs a fortune to get rid of it. Eat, drink and be merry! HA!
