Medicare
Medicare doesn't generally cover tooth extractions because it's usually an out of hospital service, which Australia's public health system does not pay any benefits towards. The only circumstances when Medicare might cover public sector dentistry such as tooth extractions include:
- Medically necessary treatment. If your oral health is affecting your overall health, there's a valid medical reason and you can't afford to pay the full cost of treatment yourself, you might be able to get covered. You will generally need a referral from your GP.
- Concession Card holders. This can include Health Care Cards, Pensioner Concession Cards and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards.
- Child Dental Benefit Schedule. This can include children whose parents are eligible for Medicare and who receive certain Centrelink benefits.
Private cover
Private health insurance can cover tooth extractions. If you require treatment in a hospital, all silver level policies or above include dental surgery. However, you'll generally find dental surgery in many basic policies for around $75 a month.
For simple procedures that don't require hospitalisation, extras cover should be enough. This is much cheaper, often only around $12 a month and can cover tooth extractions under "general dental".
More complex surgical procedures though might require you to pay a little more so that you're covered for "major dental". This is likely to cost you about $27 a month.
Remember that you might have to serve a waiting period before you're covered, unless you get a policy without one. ahm's Lifestyle Extras, for example, has a $500 general dental limit with no waiting period for less than $13 a week.
