Comments on: Insurance coverage for your breast reduction operation

By: gaye

gaye — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:19:55 +0000

Does anybody know a heath fund that will cover you for this procedure I have tried to do some online research but not much help not enough details on what they cover. Also can anybody recommend a Plastic Surgeon in Victoria I do have referral for one doctor but i would like to speak to more than one as it is a very major decision I have pondered on for years and just want to be happy with the surgeon I choose.

By: Jules

Jules — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:01:24 +0000

Sure medicare covers some of the costs of a breast reduction but the reality is it covers hardly any of it. As at 5/3/2010 the medicare scheduled fee is $851- of which medicare covers 75% or $638.25. This means a patient can be out of pocket thousands given most surgeons charge on average $8000 for the surgery. On top of that there is hospital, that can be covered by private hospital & the anaesthetist bill too. Beware ladies the gap can be quite significant. The sooner the government takes a good hard look at scheduled fee the better!!!

By: gabby

gabby — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:49:10 +0000

reason what make most people do this operation seems tends to health reason,insurance should cover this one,longer they wait more people who suffer could be die

By: Dora jones

Dora jones — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:44:41 +0000

wow it is nice to find such a serious response here from a man who have title Dr,in front of there name,thanks doc,nice to know Australians Doctors has Idealism better then other doctors from other continent

By: Dr S Merten

Dr S Merten — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:17:02 +0000

Your information re insurance cover for breast reductions in Australia is incorrect. In Australia, breast reduction is government/Medicare approved. It does NOT need to be justified in terms of symptoms, size, etc. As it has a Medicare number, all health insurances are obligated to recognise the procedure. They cannot decline on any grounds. Medicare and the Health Insurance pay the government set “Schedule Fee” however most surgeons charge more than this ie the “gap”.
The Australian medical system is completely different to the USA and fortunately we are not dictated to by beaurocrats in Insurance offices.
Dr Steve Merten, Plastic Surgeon, Sydney, Australia