Rural residents shell out more for health services as hidden costs emerge
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Living in the bush, by the beach, or in a quiet country town is the dream for many Aussies—fresh air, friendly neighbours, and a slower pace of life.
But what happens when you need urgent, life-saving medical care? For thousands of Australians living outside our major cities, the answer is: you pay a hidden health tax, both in dollars and in stress.
Let’s take the story of Phil Leahy from Port Douglas, Queensland, as a case in point.
Phil, a successful business owner and founder of MedCart, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of throat cancer—p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), to be precise.
This type of cancer, often linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), typically starts in the tonsils or at the base of the tongue.
Phil’s diagnosis turned his world upside down. He was forced to leave his rainforest home and relocate to Brisbane for an intensive eight-week treatment plan involving both radiation and chemotherapy.
Why? Because the nearest major hospital in Cairns couldn’t provide the dual treatment he needed.
And so began a journey that’s all too familiar for many regional Aussies: the long, expensive road to accessing the healthcare city-dwellers take for granted.
The True Cost of Country Living: More Than Just Petrol
While city folk might grumble about traffic and parking at the hospital, regional Australians face a much bigger challenge.
Phil and his wife, Annabel, suddenly had to juggle the cost of travel, accommodation (even a 'cheap' Airbnb was $170 a night), food, and transport—on top of the emotional toll of being separated for weeks.
Annabel, meanwhile, had to step up as both CEO of the family business and caretaker of their home, which, being in the rainforest, doesn’t exactly look after itself.
For many, these extra costs can run into the thousands. And that’s before you even factor in lost income, the stress of being away from loved ones, and the uncertainty of navigating a complex health system.
Private vs Public: The Great Healthcare Dilemma
Like many Australians, Phil had always paid for private health insurance, believing it would give him better access and flexibility.
But he was shocked to discover that, as an outpatient, many of his expenses—accommodation, meals, transport, and some medications—weren’t covered, even after decades of paying premiums.
In contrast, if he’d gone through the public system and been admitted as a public patient in a public hospital, Medicare would have covered almost everything: treatment, accommodation, and medications.
It’s a crucial difference that isn’t always made clear, especially when you’re making decisions under the stress of a new diagnosis.
Phil’s experience is a wake-up call for anyone living outside the big smoke: 'Have a good think about whether you want to declare that you’re going private.
You might want to just go with public and get everything covered,' he advised.
While he praises the care he received from private doctors and nurses, he admits he wishes he’d known more about the public system’s benefits before making his choice.
The Rural Health Gap: A National Issue
Phil’s story isn’t unique. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), people in rural and remote areas have higher rates of hospitalisation, injury, and death than those in major cities.
They’re also more likely to have to travel long distances or even relocate for specialist care.
This 'postcode health penalty' is a real and growing problem. It’s not just about cancer, either—heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues are all harder to manage when you’re hours away from the nearest specialist.
And while there are some government schemes to help with travel and accommodation costs, many say they don’t go far enough.
Phil is now pushing for clearer information, stronger support, and better access to critical treatment for people living in regional areas.
He’s calling for more transparency around the true costs and differences between public and private healthcare.
He also wants improved support for patients and families who need to travel for treatment, including more affordable places to stay.
Ultimately, he believes investing in regional health services is essential so that fewer Australians are forced to leave home just to get the care they need.
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges accessing healthcare outside the big cities? What advice would you give others in the same boat? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
Read more: A simple check could have saved his life—now his family is demanding answers
But what happens when you need urgent, life-saving medical care? For thousands of Australians living outside our major cities, the answer is: you pay a hidden health tax, both in dollars and in stress.
Let’s take the story of Phil Leahy from Port Douglas, Queensland, as a case in point.
Phil, a successful business owner and founder of MedCart, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of throat cancer—p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), to be precise.
This type of cancer, often linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), typically starts in the tonsils or at the base of the tongue.
Rural Australians face higher costs and major challenges accessing vital healthcare not available locally. Credit: David Gyung / iStock
Phil’s diagnosis turned his world upside down. He was forced to leave his rainforest home and relocate to Brisbane for an intensive eight-week treatment plan involving both radiation and chemotherapy.
Why? Because the nearest major hospital in Cairns couldn’t provide the dual treatment he needed.
And so began a journey that’s all too familiar for many regional Aussies: the long, expensive road to accessing the healthcare city-dwellers take for granted.
The True Cost of Country Living: More Than Just Petrol
While city folk might grumble about traffic and parking at the hospital, regional Australians face a much bigger challenge.
Phil and his wife, Annabel, suddenly had to juggle the cost of travel, accommodation (even a 'cheap' Airbnb was $170 a night), food, and transport—on top of the emotional toll of being separated for weeks.
Annabel, meanwhile, had to step up as both CEO of the family business and caretaker of their home, which, being in the rainforest, doesn’t exactly look after itself.
For many, these extra costs can run into the thousands. And that’s before you even factor in lost income, the stress of being away from loved ones, and the uncertainty of navigating a complex health system.
Like many Australians, Phil had always paid for private health insurance, believing it would give him better access and flexibility.
But he was shocked to discover that, as an outpatient, many of his expenses—accommodation, meals, transport, and some medications—weren’t covered, even after decades of paying premiums.
In contrast, if he’d gone through the public system and been admitted as a public patient in a public hospital, Medicare would have covered almost everything: treatment, accommodation, and medications.
It’s a crucial difference that isn’t always made clear, especially when you’re making decisions under the stress of a new diagnosis.
Phil’s experience is a wake-up call for anyone living outside the big smoke: 'Have a good think about whether you want to declare that you’re going private.
You might want to just go with public and get everything covered,' he advised.
While he praises the care he received from private doctors and nurses, he admits he wishes he’d known more about the public system’s benefits before making his choice.
The Rural Health Gap: A National Issue
Phil’s story isn’t unique. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), people in rural and remote areas have higher rates of hospitalisation, injury, and death than those in major cities.
They’re also more likely to have to travel long distances or even relocate for specialist care.
This 'postcode health penalty' is a real and growing problem. It’s not just about cancer, either—heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues are all harder to manage when you’re hours away from the nearest specialist.
And while there are some government schemes to help with travel and accommodation costs, many say they don’t go far enough.
He’s calling for more transparency around the true costs and differences between public and private healthcare.
He also wants improved support for patients and families who need to travel for treatment, including more affordable places to stay.
Ultimately, he believes investing in regional health services is essential so that fewer Australians are forced to leave home just to get the care they need.
Read more: A simple check could have saved his life—now his family is demanding answers
