top surgery in Australia and health insurance

[Koryan]

Dear all,

I think I read a whisker about this in a forum somewhere on this website, but I was curious as to whether any Australian guys can offer any insights on their top surgery procedures -- specifically, their insurance coverage and their registered gender.

I'm curious because I am pre-surgery but a year into HRT, and already registered with Medicare as male. Apparently, this may be an issue for chest recon. My partner and I are definitely looking at getting private insurance, but I was wondering if anyone has a tale to tell and is willing to share?

Cheers.

[Kreuzfidel]

Hi, there.

I had surgery with Megan Hassall in Sydney back in January.  I have Medibank as my private health insurance and used their mid-level hospital cover.  I wasn't registered male with Medicare at the time (I am now) nor with Medibank, though. 

My understanding is that the rules have changed as far as Medicare is concerned in that procedures are no longer gender-specific - so being registered male or female doesn't have any bearing on your surgery.

You've not really asked any specific questions, but I'm happy to share whatever you want to know.

As far as I'm concerned, if you don't have private insurance - i.e. hospital cover - get it now.  That is, unless you are rolling in money.  I had to wait 12 months from when I took out the hospital cover before I could even have my surgery paid for by Medibank.  I still had to pay over $3000 up front out of pocket for Megan Hassall's fee alone (which Medibank reimbursed me for later on, but only for about $1400).  I wouldn't have been able to afford the cost to stay in the private hospital either - so that's where having the hospital cover really paid off.