If your surgical procedure is deemed ‘medically necessary’ and a Medicare item number is associated, your Private Health Insurance (if you have it) may qualify you for covering associated hospital and anaethetists costs. This will always depend on your level of cover. Post consultation, you will be given a breakdown of fees – a health fund check will be done on your behalf to see if you are covered. If this is the case, you may only be required to pay your excess.

It is also advisable, once issued with item numbers, that you, as the patient, contact your health fund directly to confirm all of this as part of your due diligence and informed financial consent.

Some procedures that commonly qualify for an item number but are not limited to – that are deemed ‘medically necessary’ are Breast Reductions, Gynaecomastia (male breast reduction), Abdominoplasty, Back Lift, and or Thighplasty and Brachioplasty. Please also note that these procedures can also be cosmetic, and will not qualify for an item number or access to your Private Health insurance.