Highlights
- Angelo says he managed to get Bupa to cover part of the costs of the first treatment, after their initial refusal, as a result of media pressure.
- The second course of pills he needs to take for a year costs $300,000.
- Angelo is currently in negotiations with Bupa to cover part of the treatment, the cost of which he hopes to complete with donation money.
When Colombian student Nolberto 'Angelo' Romero received his sombre diagnosis in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, the odds were stacked against him: he had acute myeloid leukaemia, and couldn't return home with his compromised immune system.
The 31-year-old immediately began to grapple with the terrifying prospect of undertaking treatment for a deadly disease in Australia amid a pandemic, far from home, and away from family.
What's more — Bupa, his insurance company, was refusing to cover the full costs of the exorbitantly expensive treatment needed to save his life.
At the time, Angelo and his friends started a GoFundMe Campaign which was widely shared, to the point that it attracted media attention.
As a result, the solidarity and support shown by the Australian-Hispanic community and media coverage of his case helped him secure coverage from Bupa for the first round of treatment.
Months later, after a successful first round of chemo, Angelo is grateful.
“I feel great, I just finished my chemotherapy treatment recently. It was a success, thank goodness, I had no side effects from the chemotherapy. I am in better health,” he said.
However, Angelo holds grave concerns for what is to come next: a second twelve-month treatment that is set to cost $300,000. Again, he said Bupa is hesitant to cover the full cost.
Despite the illness and the uphill battle he's facing, Angelo told SBS Spanish that he's determined to persevere.
The chef feels "grateful" for being in one of the "best countries in the world to experience the pandemic", and for receiving first-rate medical treatment for his condition in Australia.
“Queensland is one of the best states because we had no coronavirus for some time. During all this time I have felt very calm, very fortunate to be here in Queensland," the keen surfer said.
During his first round, Angelo experienced periods of weakness and fever, for which he had to be hospitalised in Brisbane, the city he arrived in four years ago.
Fortunately, he had the support of his childhood friend, who helped him get through the tough times in the absence of his family.
Treatment costs an ‘arm and a leg’
However, Angelo cannot stop stressing about the next round.
Treatment costs for the first round exceeded $180,000, spent in medications and transplants.
Angelo confirmed that Bupa, who sold him his international student insurance, "has accounted for a good part" of his treatment.
“Bupa has paid around $90,000, but there is a bill of about $40,000 or so and I'm waiting for Bupa to pay that bill."
"They have always been late in paying and we always have to be fighting, harassing. They don't want to pay the last bill of $40,000,” he explained.
Despite the fact that he has raised more than $100,000 through a , this is not near enough.
“Now we are in negotiation [with Bupa] because I am entering my second treatment, which is expensive pills for a year and is $300,000. Now we are waiting for the last bill and it depends on this.”
Angelo admits the insurance company shouldn't have to cover all of the expenses, and he plans to pay for some of the costs with the GoFundme money.
He also hopes that the hospital pharmacy offers him a discount on his treatment.
"But so far, nothing is certain," he worries.
SBS Spanish sought comment from Bupa regarding Angelo's treatment costs.
A spokesperson for the company refused to comment on the details of the case.
"It’s a legal requirement that we respect the privacy of all our members, so as you will appreciate we are unable to disclose any specific details relating to a member’s medical condition, policy or claim history," a Bupa spokesperson said.
"However, we can assure you that Bupa will always pay the benefits in accordance with its policies and that our lines of communication are always open to ensure that any matter can be resolved when possible".
For his part, Angelo is determined to fight for his life, despite the cost.
