Hysterectomy cost
Expert tips for choosing the right cover
Our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer, provides some helpful tips for choosing the right health insurance for your needs.
Steven Spicer
Executive General Manager – Health, Life & Energy
Choose the right level of cover
When comparing health insurance, consider what health services and needs you’ll require both now and in the future. Thinking about your current health, family history and lifestyle may help you determine what you might need from your health insurance. Working out the right level of cover for you will help you avoid spending money on services you won’t need.
Check waiting periods
If you’re taking out health insurance for the first time or upgrading your policy, there will be waiting periods you’ll need to serve before making a claim. Planning ahead and allowing time for these waiting periods can help to ensure you’ll have cover when you need it most.
Compare your policy regularly
We all change over time, and so do our health needs. Whether your family gets a little bigger or you have new health concerns as you age, adjusting your policy at different stages of life allows you to have health insurance to suit your needs as you age. Regularly checking your policy allows you to take stock of your cover and consider making any necessary changes.
What is a hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure that involves the removal of the uterus/womb.1 It is usually performed by a gynaecologist. Depending on the surgery, the cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes may also be removed. In some cases, removing the uterus can improve a woman’s health by taking away chronic pain, discomfort or diseases, including cancer. After a hysterectomy, you will not have periods or get pregnant.
Why get a hysterectomy?
There are several reasons why you may need a hysterectomy, with some of the most common being:1
- Cancer of the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries
- Severe chronic, ongoing pelvic pain caused by conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Fibroids (non-cancerous lumps) in the uterus
- Painful periods
- Heavy menstrual bleeding that other treatments haven’t improved.
In rare cases, an emergency hysterectomy may need to be performed if there is uncontrolled, heavy bleeding that can’t be stopped through any other treatment. This can happen as a complication of childbirth.
Different types of hysterectomy procedures
Two key factors in defining the different types of hysterectomy are what’s being removed and how the procedure is performed.
The types of hysterectomy are:2
- Total hysterectomy: Involves removing both your uterus and cervix
- Sub-total hysterectomy: Involves removing your uterus while leaving the cervix in place
- Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy: A hysterectomy with the additional removal of the fallopian tubes
- Hysterectomy with oophorectomy: A hysterectomy with the removal of one or both ovaries.
- Radical or Wertheim’s hysterectomy: Involves removing your uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, the upper part of the vagina and lymph nodes. This type of hysterectomy is usually reserved for removing cancer.
The three ways a hysterectomy can be performed are:1
- Abdominal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through an incision in your abdomen
- Vaginal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through your vagina
- Laparoscopic hysterectomy: Keyhole surgery involving a laparoscopy, which involves a camera and surgical instruments entering your abdomen through small incisions.
The type of surgery you have may influence your recovery time and final costs. The best option for you will depend on various factors and should be discussed with your doctor.
How much does a hysterectomy cost?
Below are the costs of a hysterectomy surgery in an Australian private hospital.
| Type of hysterectomy | Medical Benefits Schedule Item Number | Typical Specialist Fees | Typical amount of specialist fees covered by Medicare | Typical amount of specialist fee covered by insurer | Typical out-of-pocket costs (paid by patient) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open abdominal hysterectomy | 35653 | $2,800 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $500 |
| Vaginal hysterectomy | 35657 | $3,300 | $1,300 | $1,200 | $580 |
| Laparoscopic hysterectomy | 35753 | $3,800 | $1,400 | $1,200 | $850 |
|
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care: Medical Costs Finder. Accessed October 20243,4,5 |
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These prices should be considered a general guide rather than a quote. The total cost of your hysterectomy may vary from the prices above depending on the complexity of your procedure and who performs it. The above prices don’t include hospital costs such as accommodation and theatre fees. Hospital fees for hysterectomy procedures can be anywhere between $6,000-$7,000.3,4,5 Your health fund will cover all or most of this cost, depending on your policy and level of insurance.
Will private health insurance cover a hysterectomy?
Yes, private insurance can contribute towards the costs of a hysterectomy, providing you have private hospital cover which may help you pay for the surgery and hospital stay expenses. All three types of hysterectomy mentioned in this article (abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic) fall under gynaecology which is included as a minimum requirement in Bronze, Silver, and Gold level cover. Most hysterectomies are considered elective surgeries, provided the hysterectomy isn’t being performed as an emergency.
There are many benefits to being treated as a private inpatient for your hysterectomy. The national average waiting time for a hysterectomy in a public hospital in Australia is 84 days.6 These waiting times have been increasing steadily over the last decade, with 2022-2023 being the highest recorded. Being treated as a private patient allows you to avoid this waiting list, have a choice of specialist, and have a private room (subject to availability).
Will Medicare cover the cost of a hysterectomy?
Medicare can cover the cost of a hysterectomy, provided you have the procedure performed through the public healthcare system. You won’t have to pay any fees for the procedure itself. However, the downsides of going through the public health system are the waiting times and the lack of flexibility regarding when and where your procedure is performed.
Meet our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer
As the Executive General Manager of Health, Life and Energy, Steven Spicer is a strong believer in the benefits of private cover and knows just how valuable the peace of mind that comes with cover can be. He is passionate about demystifying the health insurance industry and advocates for the benefits of comparison when it comes to saving money on your premiums.
Want to learn more about health insurance?
1 Health Direct ‒ Hysterectomy. Accessed October 2024
2 Healthy WA ‒ Hysterectomy. Accessed October 2024
3 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Open abdominal hysterectomy. Accessed October 2024
4 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Vaginal hysterectomy. Accessed October 2024
5 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Laparoscopic hysterectomy. Accessed October 2024
6 Australian Institute of Health and Surgery Elective surgery waiting times 2022-23. Accessed October 2024.