
Get exclusive healthy living offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
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 knee surgery, it's likely you've tried everything else to alleviate the pain. Without insurance, the procedure can be very expensive in Australia. So make sure your decision isn't affected by the cost; having the right insurance will allow you to get the surgery you need and improve your quality of life.
A bad knee can affect your every move, and pain can be excruciating even while lying down. It’s likely you need surgery when other treatments – like exercise and medication – have failed to alleviate the pain or increase your mobility. You probably need knee replacement surgery if:
With Medicare, there are little out-of-pocket expenses for knee replacement surgery if you are a registered public patient and have surgery in a public hospital. However, people wait for months to receive surgery, which could worsen your condition and health as it prolongs the period you're forced to live with chronic pain and poor mobility.
You are also unable to choose your own doctor, or the amount and time of consultations you have prior to your operation under Medicare.
You can claim your Medicare rebate using your Medicare online account. This can be accessed through myGov or by speaking to your doctor. It's vital you do this, as surgery is expensive. Whilst Medicare will cover 75% of costs, there can still be out-of-pocket expenses, so do your research beforehand.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Private health insurance use in Australian hospitals 2006–07 to 2016–17
If you decide to get private health insurance, there will be some out-of-pocket expenses for knee surgery. However, the amount really depends on your excess, as well as things like the hospital and doctor you use. One of the perks of going private is that you get to decide where you have the surgery and your surgeon, so you have more control over expenses.
Below are some examples from Finder Partners that cover joint replacement surgery. All quotes are based on a single hospital policy in Sydney.
For a knee replacement, the average cost can range from $17,00 to $30,000, whilst a knee cruciate ligament repair can cost between $5,000 and $14,000 so it's worth shopping around for the most affordable option.
It's important that you confirm the costs ahead of time, as there can be up to $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses if you don't do your research. There are a number of things you can do to work out the total cost:
The type of surgery you will receive depends on the problem you are having with your knee. There are four main types of knee replacement surgery: total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, kneecap replacement and complex knee replacement. There are several procedures, the most common of which are:
This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows doctors to view the knee joint without making a large incision. Arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a range of knee problems.
The meniscus repair is a more significant surgery but has a better long-term prognosis when compared to other forms of surgery. However, recovery is longer and surgery is not always possible depending on the patient's health.
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four major knee ligaments and the key to knee stability. An ACL is a common sports injury and usually requires surgery since it is such a vital ligament.
The bone and cartilage on the end of the thigh bone (femur) and top of the shin bone (tibia) are removed. A metal and plastic knee replacement implant are put in place and function as the new knee joint. The kneecap surface may also be replaced depending on the condition of the cartilage underneath the kneecap.
Surgery involves the removal of a portion of the meniscus cartilage from the knee joint. The meniscus provides cushioning and support between the bone ends.
Surgery addresses areas of cartilage damage that are inside the knee joint. The procedure creates a healing response so that new cartilage is formed where there was once a gap.
Because there are various kinds of knee surgery, recovery depends on the severity of your problem and the type of surgery you have.
Nevertheless, most people are able to walk independently after 1-2 weeks, though this varies depending on the individual.
You should be able to stop using your walking aid and resume normal activities around six weeks after surgery. However, it can take up to three months for pain and swelling to go down and a year for any swelling to completely disappear.
Your new knee will continue to recover up to two years after your operation. During this time, the muscles around the knee will begin to strengthen themselves as you move around.
Simply enter a few details below to get quotes for private cover.
Picture: Unsplash
Extras cover is the number one drawcard for Australians who take out private health cover, new research from Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site, reveals.
Find out how much a colonoscopy costs in Australia and how you can avoid paying heaps.
Everything you need to know about weight surgery costs.
Find out how to get cheap health insurance for young people.
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.
Here's an explanation of which surgeries are cancelled due to coronavirus.
Australian health insurance providers are offering financial relief with payment extensions, temporary freezes, lower premiums and more.
Are you covered? Can you still get it? Do you even need it? We answer all your coronavirus health insurance questions.
See what you can and can't get insurance for with Covid-19. This updated guide looks at travel, life, business and health.
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.