At this point in time, the answer is still “Yes” and there is no fine print attached.
Every breast reduction performed has a Medicare eligible item number.
This does not mean that all of your fees are covered.
It means you will get a set rebate on your surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.
Hospital fees are never covered by Medicare.
What does this mean in financial terms?
All breast reduction surgery is paid for before your surgery.
After the date of surgery, you can claim the schedule fee rebate of $1029.25 on a bilateral breast reduction
The cost of breast reduction will vary from one surgeon to the next.
Will my Private Health Fund cover the costs of breast reduction surgery?
If you have private health insurance, including hospital cover with no exclusions, your health fund should cover all hospital fees (with the exception of any co-payment arrangement you may have)
You may still have out-of-pocket costs for your anaesthetist and your surgeon.
Your surgeon’s theatre booking staff will be able to give you exact information on what you will and won’t be covered for with your level of cover.
Can I have a breast reduction in a public hospital?
Technically yes. You will be placed on a waiting list as a Category 3
All Category 1 and Category 2 clients must be operated on in a timely fashion, or the hospital is penalised financially.
Once this has occurred, Category 3 clients are called forward in order of how long they have been on the waitlist.
This process often takes many years.
How do I choose a surgeon for my breast reduction surgery?
When it comes to surgery on your body, cost should be your last consideration.
We would recommend choosing a surgeon according to his/ her level of skill and the results posted on their website, as opposed to cost.
When looking at results, you want a surgeon that has many examples of the breast reductions they have performed. Everyone will have a few good results. Choose someone with loads of before and afters, with consistently good results.
