Yes, Medicare in Australia generally pays for the removal of ovaries (oophorectomy) if it is considered medically necessary to address significant health concerns.
While purely cosmetic surgeries are not covered by Medicare, medically necessary plastic and reconstructive surgeries often are. For surgery to qualify, it must serve a functional purpose or address significant health concerns rather than purely aesthetic improvements.
If you have a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, removing your ovaries may be recommended to prevent you getting cancer in the future. Your surgeon can discuss the pros and cons of removing your ovaries with you.
If you are at high risk for breast cancer or ovarian cancer, removing the ovaries greatly reduces your risk. If you have severe PMS, you may feel better after you have your ovaries removed.
The majority of private health plans cover risk-reducing surgeries, such as mastectomy, hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, colectomy and gastrectomy for people with an inherited genetic mutation linked to a significantly increased risk of cancer.
Procedure Details
On MDsave, the cost of an Ovary Removal (Salpingoectomy-Oophorectomy) ranges from $8,140 to $22,142. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save.
Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
A hysterectomy may save your life if: • you have cancer of the uterus or ovaries, or • your uterus is bleeding fast and it can't be stopped. In most other cases, a hysterectomy is done to improve a woman's life. But, it is not needed to save her life. This is called an elective hysterectomy.
1. Transplants: $40,000-$150,000 No matter the organ involved, transplants rank as the most expensive surgeries, with costs ranging from $40,000 for a kidney to close to $150,000 for a heart or liver. Public hospital waiting list: Liver or heart: 9+ months; kidney 5-7 years.
Government Assistance: In some cases, government programs such as Medicare or Medicaid may cover the cost of surgery if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Charity: Sometimes, local charities will help cover the cost of your surgery if it is deemed necessary.
The FAIR Health healthcare cost estimator tool notes that a laparoscopy can cost $12,317 without insurance, and around $2,318 with a typical insurance plan that covers about 80% of the cost (although the price will vary by location).
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers medically necessary inpatient and outpatient surgeries. Elective surgeries, including experimental or cosmetic procedures, generally are not covered by Medicare. The facility and physician must accept Medicare for a patient to get coverage.
RANZCOG guides development of crucial additions to the MBS for pelvic pain and endometriosis. The Australian government announced that from 1 July 2025, women suffering from persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis will have access to longer consultations of forty-five minutes or more, covered under Medicare.
You may be exempt from paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge if you: Earn a taxable income below the MLS threshold ($101,000 for singles or $202,000 for families/couples/single parents)
There are some things Original Medicare won't cover. Generally, most vision, dental and hearing services are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Other services not covered by Medicare Parts A and B include: Routine physical exams.
Is an oophorectomy considered major surgery? That depends on why and how you're having it done. If the ovary is being removed because of a very large tumor, or as part of a debulking procedure to remove as much cancer as possible, then it's considered major surgery.
Severe pain was reported in 6% (n=1) of patients in phase II, 12% (2) of patients at home, and 24% (4) of patients on postop day 1.At all other time points, pain was reported as no more than moderate. VAS, visual analog scale, 0-1=no pain, 2-4=mild, 5-7=moderate, 8-9=severe, 10=excruciating.
Having an oophorectomy at a younger age, such as before 45, may increase the risks related to early menopause. Talk with your healthcare team about the risks related to your situation. Taking low doses of hormone replacement medicines after surgery and until about age 50 may reduce the risk of these complications.
Surgery could last 45 to 90 minutes. Most laparoscopic patients will not spend the night in the hospital. Patients who have had ovaries removed by open surgery (laparotomy) may have a hospital stay of one to three days. Hormone replacement therapy may be needed if both ovaries were removed.
Some women have a family history of ovarian cancer so removing their ovaries will remove the risk of developing ovarian cancer. An oopherectomy may also be performed to treat problems such as a twisted ovary and endometriosis, where the lining of your uterus (womb) grows outside your womb.
Cosmetic surgeries, commonly known as plastic surgery, like botox, implants and similar surgeries are excluded from a health insurance policy. You can check with your insurer if you plan to go through any such surgery during your health insurance policy term.