Is it covered by medicare?

[Jamaica]

DH and I were discussing this last night, Is circumcision covered by medicare? We were wondering how much out of pocket we would be for the surgery on any future children?
Just curious thanks.

[AliyahBlake]

:yes: Yep you can - my DS's circ cost $400 all up and I got $100 back from Medicare.

[GregMonarche]

With circumcision many doctors have three fees.

1. The initial consultation fee.
2. The actual operation fee.
3. Private Hospital fee.

In some cases you can claim part of the consultation fee, like you do with any other doctor appointment (seeing that's all it is - an appointment with a doctor).

But if the circumcision is elective (no medical reason - in most doctors' - and the government's opinion), then the procedure itself is not covered by Medicare.

Also, if it's done in a private hospital there will be a fee for use of the premises. That fee is also not covered. Some doctors do the operation in their own rooms and in that case you probably wouldn't have that third fee.

[J&C0508]

Yes it is in NSW anyway. DS2 cost $370 of that i got $100 back, but i did need to have a referal from my GP, even though i was an excisting patient of the OB, they told me without the referal i wouldnt get any back and it was done in his rooms.
I cant remember with DS1 if i got any back but it was cheaper about$250 from memory.

HTH

[May1806]

i had my Ds done in a private hospital with a pead, and it was covered by private health and costs just the excess about $500.00 i think.

[leonie80]

I paid $350 for my son at a sydney doctor in 2007 and got about $90 back from medicare.

[MummyStar]

Hi Jamaica, Yes circumcisions are covered by Medicare, the amount that you receive back all depends on if you have reached your Safety Net in that calendar year.
We had reached our Safety Net so we paid $500 & received $410 back (Dec 07) :). Our follow up appt. (Jan 08) cost $55 but as the check up was in the following year we received $20 back but if it had have been in the same year as the procedure we would have received 80% of the $55 back in our pockets.
Our bubs procedure was not done in hospital, it was done at the Medical Centre that specialises in circumcisions, he used the plastibell method & we applied heaps of numbing gel about 2 hours before the procedure & attempted to wrap his willy in glad wrap so that the numbing gel wouldn't rub off on his nappy, the Dr said that we did a good job with the gel as he didn't cry at all, he was annoyed with the nurse holding his legs down & he was due for a feed so he was a bit cranky. He asks to try & feed them afterwards if possible to help avoid wee's/poo's during/just before the procedure. We went shopping afterwards & he slept so he wasn't distressed, we had him done at 5wks & 2 dys, it took around 10-15mins, we applied Betadine Ointment everyday after each bath & for about 2 days after for the ring fell off (it fell off about 4 days after the procedure) & at the follow up appt the Doc pushes the skin back.:wave:

[babywez]

We paid a total of $480 including consultation fees and got 100% of the consultation fees back, but only $35 of the actual procedure back (that cost $420).

[Opaque]

Hi Jamaica, Yes circumcisions are covered by Medicare, the amount that you receive back all depends on if you have reached your Safety Net in that calendar year.


We reached our Safety Net and we were only out of pocket about $100. If you get bub done soon after you have him, you would usually have reached your safety net for the year. Check with Medicare to see if you are registered for the Safety Net as you actually have to register for it. You will have definately reached it if you are a private patient having your bub.

Good Luck!

[NibbleCurlynBub]

It is not provided for by Medicare as it is not deemed necessary but you can claim a portion of the cost back by going into an office with a 'receipt'

[Opaque]

It is not provided for by Medicare as it is not deemed necessary but you can claim a portion of the cost back by going into an office with a 'receipt'


In Queensland it is. I paid $620 for two consults and the procedure and I got back $517. And the Consults were only $55ea. I don't know where you are getting your information from.

I know that you can't claim it on Private Health Cover unless it is deemed an necessary procedure, but medicare you can!

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Maybe its different for every state, then.

No need to be rude about it. :no:

[sam's mum]

medicare is federal government and will be the same in every state.

some states don't do routine circumcisions in public hospitals though. hospitals are funded and controlled by the states, and this is where it can change from state to state.

[Jacksens Mummy]

I got jacksen done when he was 4 weeks old, cost me $70 :) - the rest was covered by medicare - bulk billed

[Justin1988]

Because my baby boy was born in the North Shore Private Hospital, he had his circumcision done there before he came home.