Chemotherapy Choices

Do you need regular infusion treatments for cancer or a long-term health condition? If so, the Bupa Chemotherapy Choices home infusion services could be for you.

What is Chemotherapy Choices?

We’ve partnered with experienced service providers to offer eligible Bupa customers our Chemotherapy Choices Program.

The program is for customers who need chemotherapy or immunotherapy infusions for cancer, or other treatment infusions for specific non-cancer health conditions^*.

The program delivers personalised treatment in the comfort and convenience of your own home, at no additional cost to you^**.

Your specialist can refer you to one of our service providers, so that you can receive the treatment infusions prescribed by your specialist at home instead of in hospital. You will continue to be under the care of your specialist, but your treatment infusions will be delivered in your home by an experienced and qualified nurse.

Chemotherapy Choices services are currently available to eligible customers living within 40 km of Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Geelong, Perth, Bunbury, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Gosford to Kiama including Sydney, and Canberra. Customers are encouraged to contact our service provider to check whether services are available where they live.

What are the benefits?

The home infusion services enable you to receive treatment that is as safe and effective as it would be in hospital, to provide you with more choice around where you can receive your treatment, and help you to have a more positive experience.

Australian and international clinical studies have found that chemotherapy treatment delivered at home is a safe alternative to chemotherapy treatment in hospital, and that it helps reduce hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and may reduce side effects, such as nausea, anaemia, and dehydration in some people.

The studies also found that patients are very satisfied with home-based chemotherapy treatment. Advantages to having your treatment infusions at home – if it’s suitable for your circumstances – include:

Personalised care and treatment in the comfort and security of your own home
Reduced risk of hospital-acquired infection
Improved management of your symptoms and medication by your home-based clinical team
Less time (and money) spent travelling to, and waiting for, treatment at a hospital facility
An increased feeling of control over your treatment
Less disruption to family and daily life
Support and advice for your family/caregivers at home and out-of-hours if needed.

How does Chemotherapy Choices work?

Step 1: Your specialist can refer you to receive Chemotherapy Choices by contacting one our service providers.

Step 2: The chemo@home team will conduct an initial assessment over the phone to determine if home infusions are suitable for you. If you consent to participate, they will also check your eligibility with Bupa. Once confirmed, you will be enrolled to receive home infusion services. You will remain under the care of your specialist, but your treatment will be delivered to you by a nurse at your home.

Step 3: A specially trained Registered Nurse will order your infusion delivery device and pharmaceuticals. They will then attend your home and set-up your delivery device (if required), administer your treatment infusion and monitor your condition throughout your treatment.

Step 4: The nurse will liaise with you to arrange your next appointments according to your treatment plan, including any appointments for medical tests. They will also update your specialist on your progress after every treatment cycle.

Step 5: You may also be asked to complete a survey about your experience of the service. This helps us to understand how we can improve the services.

What does the program deliver?

If you need treatment infusions for cancer or another medical condition, you may be able to access the evidence-based treatment program at home
Your specialist can refer you to the service provider chemo@home; the treating team will determine if you are eligible for the services
To be eligible, you must have paid-up Bupa Hospital cover that covers you for treatment for your condition, and have served any relevant waiting periods
You won’t have to pay for any Bupa funded infusion services delivered under Chemotherapy Choices if you are eligible*

*The following costs are not covered by the program, and may apply depending on your cover and circumstances:

Hospital excess or co-payment (e.g. towards high cost treatments that are not available on the PBS, if applicable)
Pathology or other necessary medical tests (if they're not bulk-billed by the provider)
Specialist fees (if they're not bulk-billed by the provider)

The registered nurses administering your treatment will:

Order and prepare your delivery device and medicines
Set up, maintain, and disconnect your delivery device
Administer the chemotherapy, immunotherapy or non-cancer treatment infusion**
Monitor and observe you during and after your treatment
Coordinate your treatment plan and other related appointments
Update your treating specialist after every treatment cycle
Provide advice on phone support if you or your family/carers have any concerns

** Bupa only funds specific non-cancer treatment infusions. Our service providers can tell you which infusions Bupa funds.

Want to find out more about our partner?

chemo@home

Download the chemo@home brochure
If you’d like to find out more about the program, please contact chemo@home on 1300 466 324, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AWST, or visit the chemo@home website

Disclaimer

This program page provides resources and health information as a guide only, not as a substitute for medical advice or a professional endorsement. If you think you have a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department.

*Bupa only funds specific cancer and non-cancer treatment infusions. Our service providers can tell you which infusions Bupa funds. Policy, fund wait period and service eligibility criteria apply. Subject to service availability

**The following costs are not covered, and may apply depending on your cover and circumstances:

Hospital excess or co-payment (e.g. towards high cost treatments that are not available on the PBS, if applicable)
Pathology or other necessary medical tests (if they're not bulk-billed by the provider)
Specialist fees (if they're not bulk-billed by the provider)

References

Corbett M et al. The delivery of chemotherapy at home: an evidence synthesis. NHS National Institute for Health Research. Health Services and Delivery Research, 2015, 3(14).

King M et al. Home or hospital? An evaluation of the costs, preferences and outcomes of domiciliary chemotherapy. International Journal of Health Services, 2000. 30(3): 557–579.

Lowenthal RM et al. Home chemotherapy for cancer patients: cost analysis and safety. MJA 1996, 165(4): 184-187.

Wiggers J et al. Cancer patient satisfaction with care. Cancer 1990, 66: 610-616.

Tralongo P et al. 2011. Cancer patient-centred home care: a new mode for health care in oncology. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management 2011, 7: 387–392.