Laparoscopy Cost
Expert Tips for finding health insurance
Our health insurance expert, Steven Spicer, has some tips on choosing the right health insurance for your needs.
Steven Spicer
Executive General Manager – Health, Life & Energy
Find the right level of cover
When looking at different policies, it’s important to consider the right level of cover for your needs. While some people like the peace of mind that comes with comprehensive cover, this might be a little much for others, especially if they’re on a tight budget. Consider both your current needs and what you’ll likely require in the future to determine which level may meet these needs. You may find you don’t need to pay for the highest level of cover to get the inclusions you need.
Adapt your policy to meet your needs.
At different stages of your life, you’ll have different health requirements. The good news is you can change your policy to suit your current needs, just keep in mind that you may be required to serve any relevant waiting periods when upgrading your policy. Regularly checking your policy will give you a chance to assess your current level of cover. You might find you have inclusions that you no longer need or are uncovered for procedures you’ll likely need in the future.
Cheaper isn’t always better
Everyone likes a bargain, but you don’t want to save money on your policy at the expense of cover you need. Instead of giving up inclusions to improve cost-effectiveness, consider other premium-saving methods, like increasing your excess to help lower your costs.
What is a laparoscopy?
A laparoscopy is a keyhole surgical procedure used to diagnose conditions and sometimes perform surgeries in the abdominal and pelvic areas.1 Small incisions – usually one centimetre or smaller – are made in your abdomen through which a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) enters the body. Once in the body, the laparoscope is used to examine the organs in your abdomen and potentially remove things like endometriosis and cysts.2
The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be unconscious.1 However, keyhole surgery is less invasive than traditional open surgery and usually results in less pain during recovery and a shorter hospital stay. It also leads to less noticeable scars.
The following healthcare professionals can perform a laparoscopy:1
- General surgeon
- Gynaecologist
- Gastroenterological surgeon
- Urological surgeon.
Types of laparoscopic procedures
A laparoscopy can be used for both diagnostic and surgical purposes; however, your health specialist will likely try other treatments before recommending a laparoscopy.
Laparoscopy for diagnosis
For diagnostic purposes, laparoscopies can be used to:1,2
- Diagnose endometriosis (endo)
- Assess female fertility issues
- Find and diagnose cysts
- Search for the cause of abdominal or pelvic pain
- Take a biopsy for testing.
Laparoscopic surgery
Some of the most common reasons for laparoscopic surgery include:1,2
- Performing hysterectomies (removing the uterus, fallopian tube or ovaries)
- Treating moderate endometriosis
- Removing ovarian cysts and tumours
- Treating ectopic pregnancy
- Removing the gallbladder
- Removing parts of the intestine, including the appendix or upper part of the stomach (fundus).
How much does a laparoscopy cost in Australia?
The total cost of your laparoscopy will depend on numerous factors, including:
- The procedure you’re having
- Your choice of specialist
- The complexity of the surgery.
Below are the typical costs of various laparoscopy procedures.
| Type of laparoscopy | Medical Benefits Schedule item number(s) | Typical specialist fees | Median amount of specialist fees covered by Medicare | Median amount of specialist fee covered by insurer | Median out-of-pocket costs for patient | Hospital Fees (including accommodation and theatre fees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopy |
35631 35637 35638 35632 |
$2,800 | $1,100 | $990 | $520 | $2,800 |
| Laparoscopic hysterectomy | 35753 | $3,800 | $1,400 | $1,200 | $850 | $6,600 |
| Laparoscopic resection of endometriosis | 35641 | $4,200 | $1,700 | $1,600 | $700 | $4,700 |
|
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care: Medical Costs Finder. Prices current as of November 2024 3,4,5 |
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Does private health insurance cover laparoscopy?
Yes, a laparoscopy can be covered by health insurance, provided you have the right level of hospital cover. Laparoscopies are included under the ‘Gynaecology’ clinical category of treatments, a minimum requirement for Bronze tier hospital cover and above. If you do not currently hold a health insurance policy or you’re upgrading your existing policy, you may have to serve any relevant waiting periods before your health fund will grant any claims.
It’s also important to note there may be a ‘gap’ between the MBS fee (what your health fund and Medicare will pay for the procedure) and what your specialist charges. Depending on your policy, your health fund may cover none, some or all of this gap.
However, there are still a range of benefits to being treated as a private patient in a private hospital, including:
- Avoiding public hospital waiting lists
- Choice specialist and clinic
- Ability to book a procedure time (subject to availability)
- A private room (depending on availability).
Is laparoscopy covered by Medicare?
A laparoscopy performed as a public patient in public hospitals will be covered by Medicare.
Laparoscopies are usually considered elective surgery, so you’ll need to book your procedure in advance. The public health system often comes with a lengthy waiting list. For a laparoscopy, the national average waiting time for the procedure is 82 days.6 This average can vary, depending on where in Australia you live. By being treated as a private patient in a private hospital through the private system, you can avoid this public waiting list and likely receive your procedure sooner.
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 ‒ Laparoscopy. Accessed November 2024
2 Health Direct ‒ Endometriosis. Accessed November 2024
3 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Laparoscopy. Accessed November 2024
4 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Laparoscopic hysterectomy. Accessed November 2024
5 Medical Costs Finder ‒ Laparoscopic resection of endometriosis. Accessed November 2024
6 Elective surgery waiting times 2022-23 data tables. Accessed November 2024