Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammoplasty) Cost, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley

Medicare and health funds

In the majority of cases a Medicare item applies. Item 45523 covers a bilateral reduction with nipple repositioning where the criteria are met, and I assess that at consultation.

• Item applies and you hold hospital cover: your fund pays the hospital and theatre charges under the terms of your policy, less your excess, and Medicare and your fund together contribute a set rebate towards my fee and the anaesthetist’s fee. The size of that contribution depends on your policy and its level of cover, which is why the insured figure above is approximate.
• Item applies and you have no hospital cover: Medicare still rebates part of my fee and the anaesthetist’s fee, and you pay the hospital directly.
• No item applies: the operation is treated as cosmetic. 10% GST is added to the surgical, anaesthetist and hospital fees, and the hospital charges a higher rate for cosmetic theatre time.

For item 45523 in detail, rebates and health fund tiers, read the breast surgery cost guide.

What makes up your total

Your total is 4 separate accounts, each billed by a different party and listed separately on your written quote.

• My surgical fee, set out above. It changes with the complexity of the operation: a larger reduction, more skin removal or previous breast surgery moves the fee, theatre time and stay together.
• The anaesthetist’s fee, billed by the specialist anaesthetist. The anaesthetic consultation is by phone in most cases, with examination on the day of surgery.
• Hospital and theatre fees at Maitland Private, charged by the hour. A reduction is planned as a day procedure with drains. If you have hospital cover you can choose to stay the night; without cover, the hospital charges for it.
• Additions. VASER (ultrasound assisted lipectomy) at the same operation adds theatre time and is priced as the second version above. A breast lift (mastopexy) is part of every reduction and is not charged separately.

What my fee includes

• A second consultation at no cost, including review of your pre-operative blood results. This can be done remotely if you live outside the Hunter.
• The operation, performed by me at Maitland Private Hospital.
• Post-operative reviews. In the first 2 weeks you are reviewed closely by my nurse and by me, with LED light therapy sessions to support early healing. After that I see you at 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. There is no separate charge for these visits, and you are not billed for a review because you have a question or a concern during recovery.
• Your surgical bra, fitted after the operation.

Your next step

A GP referral is required before I can see you. Your GP documents your history and symptoms, which also forms part of the record needed if item 45523 is being assessed. Consultations are held at my rooms in Lorn, near Maitland. If you live in regional NSW, the first consultation can be by telehealth, and I examine you in person before any surgery is booked. Your written quote follows the consultation.

The 4 surgical approaches, recovery and the risks of breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) are set out on the main page for the operation and discussed with you at consultation.