--- In LeadWorkers@yahoogroups.com, <egroup@...> wrote:
>
> Dear LeadWorkers,
> in joining this egroup, our newest member, who is an Australian
leadlighter, posed the following question and I know some of you
might send useful replies on this issue of cost:
> Hi. I have lead poisoning and need information on how I go about
> treatment. I have spent a huge amount on chelation already,and is
there
> any subsadised way of doing this?
> Thanks
> Elizabeth, Moderator, LeadWorkers Egroup
>
****************************
My advice is that this would depend on how one determined they
were "lead poisoned".
In some circumstances, it is possible to receive treatment under
Australian Medicare.

If you are hospitalised as a result of your poisoning you will be
treated in hospital accordingly under medicare.

Hospital treatment would be determined by very high blood level and
serious symptoms that require urgent intervention, as opposed to
removal from exposure only, which is standard practice at lower
blood levels.

With private treatment, the treating doctor can structure the costs
so there is some coverage on Medicare. Sometimes this is not
possible due to the way some clinics operate their enterprize.

Another alternative is if the poisoning is occupationally
contracted, medical costs claim on workers' insurance may be
applicable.

IV chelation can be expensive for a full course as required, but why
not investigate alternative chelation by EDTA suppositories, or oral
chelaters such as a prescription of Succimer?

What were the blood lead levels, and what symptoms did the worker
suffer?