
Get exclusive healthy living offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
Updated
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
If your doctor has recommended you get a hip replacement, it's worth considering the options Medicare and private health insurance provide to see how they can help reduce the cost of treatment.
The MBS fee for hip replacement as at November 2018 is $1,317.80. Individual costs do differ and the below chart shows the different benefit amounts paid by insurers on average for a hip replacement doctor's fee.
There are a number of things you can do to work out your own estimate:
Below are some examples from Finder Partners that cover joint replacement surgery. All quotes are based on a single hospital policy in Sydney with $500 excess.
Quotes are based on less than $90,000 income.
Each of these tiers includes cover for a minimum number of clinical categories. If you wish to continue to claim benefits for hip surgery and replacement, you will need a policy of Gold tier.
Hip replacement is usually recommended after other treatments like physical therapy, exercise and medication have failed to improve your condition. You may need a hip replacement if:
Medicare covers most medically necessary surgeries like hip replacements. Public patients should have no out-of-pocket expenses for surgery in a public hospital. Additionally, Medicare pays 75% of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) to private patients in public hospitals, meaning it will cover 75% of the public rate for the surgery, anaesthesia and diagnostic work.
While Medicare provides hip replacements with little or no out-of-pocket expenses for public patients in public hospitals, you may have to wait several months before receiving surgery. It's also worth remembering that you won't be able to choose your doctor if using the public system.
You can claim your Medicare benefit using your Medicare online account accessible through myGov or your doctor. Because hip replacements can be so expensive, with prices varying from $19,439 to $42,007 depending on the surgeon, it's essential that you do this in order to avoid a substantial bill.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Private health insurance use in Australian hospitals 2006–07 to 2016–17
If you go private, you'll have your choice of surgeon and hospital. There's a good chance you'll also have more say over when the surgery takes place.
To be covered, you'd need a private hospital policy, normally medium to high level. If you're getting joint replacement cover for the first time you'll also have to serve a waiting period of 12 months.
For the treatment, you're likely to receive out-of-pocket costs depending on things like your excess and what your doctor charges. That's why it's important to do your research beforehand.
There are two types of hip surgery: anterior, where an incision is made at the front of the hip and posterior, where the incision is on the side. Each surgery has a slightly different procedure:
Anterior:
Posterior:
Typically, patients return to normal life activities within one to six months. The most discomfort ordinarily comes after surgery where you'll probably feel some pain but will receive medication to ease the discomfort. 24 hours after surgery you'll be given exercises and a walking aid, such as a stick, to get you moving and begin strengthening the muscles around the hip.
Short-term recovery involves getting off painkillers and managing to sleep without discomfort. You'll find you're on the road to recovery when you no longer need any walking aid and can move about the house without pain. It usually takes around four to six weeks to get to this stage of recovery.
Long-term recovery is when you can return to work and do normal, daily activities. You should also find that surgical wounds and soft tissue have healed, generally feeling normal again.
Use this free tool to compare over 30 Australian health funds.
Picture: Unsplash
Everything you need to know about weight surgery costs.
Find out how to get cheap health insurance for young people.
A single IVF treatment typically costs over $8,000 in Australia. Here’s how Medicare and private health insurance can help.
Regaining or improving your mobility can be tough. With online physiotherapy, you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’re looking for everyday care or specialist treatment, there are a range of online providers who can help with your healthcare needs.
There's still time to get your health insurance sorted and prevent an unnecessary fee down the line.
Our submission is in response to the Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018.
Online pharmacies work like any other online shop. Compare your options today.
Here's how you could save hundreds of dollars a year, just by looking at your insurance for a few minutes.
Major insurers are postponing the planned price hike. Here's why you should care.
Get cover to suit your budget and lifestyle.
Great offers, promos, and deals for today.
Hospital, extras, or neither? Find out in 1-minute.
Compare visa-compliant OVHC today.