TonkaTruck
02-07-2009, 15:53
I would think that most people who have bubs with intolerances or special needs formulas may know this, but for those that don't it's very handy! I feel a little silly posting this, but then I remember how happy I was when someone mentioned it randomly to me without even knowing that I had bubs on a special needs formula. I had no idea before they said something!
Most formulas can be prescribed by your GP. This includes S26 LF, HR, AR, Goats Milk etc. and the equivalent Karicare and NaN brands. That means that when you get the script from your doctor, it's covered by the PBS. For 5 tins (without a healthcare card) it works out to about $35 and with a healthcare card it's just over $5 for the 5 tins! The cheapest I've found the S26 LF formula on the shelf that I have for DS is $20 a tin, with a maximum of about $26 depending on where you're buying it.
I'm now saving a minimum of about $65 a month for formula.
All you need to do is provide evidence that your bub needs the particular formula. Some GPs will require monitoring your bub's symptoms, some will go just on your word. For example, I simply explained to my GP that DH and I both have a family history of dairy allergies and lactose intolerance (yes, they are different things lol) and that I'd put him on LF for a couple of weeks and the symptoms had cleared up. I was given a script straight away.
Obviously you shouldn't be trying to get a special needs formula simply to get cheaper formula, but for those of us that need it because our bubs get sick if they DON'T have the right formula it can make all the difference. I find it very difficult to get LF formula sometimes because people will buy a few tins when it's cheap. My chemist now stocks at least 5 tins a month in storage just for me to come and pick it up once a month because they KNOW that I'll get that many in one go because I can afford to! :thumbsup:
Hope it helps a few people out, I was spending a lot of money when I didn't have to simply because it would never have occured to me that you could get it under the PBS!
Most formulas can be prescribed by your GP. This includes S26 LF, HR, AR, Goats Milk etc. and the equivalent Karicare and NaN brands. That means that when you get the script from your doctor, it's covered by the PBS. For 5 tins (without a healthcare card) it works out to about $35 and with a healthcare card it's just over $5 for the 5 tins! The cheapest I've found the S26 LF formula on the shelf that I have for DS is $20 a tin, with a maximum of about $26 depending on where you're buying it.
I'm now saving a minimum of about $65 a month for formula.
All you need to do is provide evidence that your bub needs the particular formula. Some GPs will require monitoring your bub's symptoms, some will go just on your word. For example, I simply explained to my GP that DH and I both have a family history of dairy allergies and lactose intolerance (yes, they are different things lol) and that I'd put him on LF for a couple of weeks and the symptoms had cleared up. I was given a script straight away.
Obviously you shouldn't be trying to get a special needs formula simply to get cheaper formula, but for those of us that need it because our bubs get sick if they DON'T have the right formula it can make all the difference. I find it very difficult to get LF formula sometimes because people will buy a few tins when it's cheap. My chemist now stocks at least 5 tins a month in storage just for me to come and pick it up once a month because they KNOW that I'll get that many in one go because I can afford to! :thumbsup:
Hope it helps a few people out, I was spending a lot of money when I didn't have to simply because it would never have occured to me that you could get it under the PBS!