Cover for hip replacement surgery with Australian Unity.
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Price based on :
Singles cover in VIC. I'm Under 65 with an income $105,000 or less, Rebate Tier 0 and a 4% discount for direct debit.
A hip replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces a damaged hip joint with an artificial joint. It is commonly recommended for people experiencing severe pain, stiffness or reduced mobility due to conditions such as:
Hip replacement surgery aims to reduce pain, improve movement and help people return to everyday activities. There are a few main types of hip replacement surgery:
Yes. Hip replacements are covered under some hospital covers. When comparing policies, check that Joint replacements are included, as this is the Clinical Category that applies to hip replacement surgery. These categories cover different procedures, and Joint Reconstructions does not include hip replacement surgery.
Before undergoing surgery, it’s a good idea to check:
Hip replacements fall under the Joint Replacements Clinical Category, which is generally included in higher levels of hospital cover. Under the Australian Government’s hospital cover tiers, Joint Replacements are included in Gold policies and health funds have also the option to include it in the other tiers as well.
The most important thing is not the government tier itself, but whether Joint Replacements are included in the policy you're considering. If they are, you'll receive cover for hip replacement surgery regardless of whether the policy is classified as Silver Plus, Gold or other tier.
Both Medicare and private health insurance can help you access hip replacement surgery, but the experience can be quite different.
As a public patient under Medicare, you'll generally be treated through the public hospital system and may need to join a waiting list before surgery. You may also have limited choice over your surgeon and hospital. The benefit is that you won't pay hospital accommodation charges as a public patient.
With private health insurance, you typically have more choice and control over your treatment, including where you're treated, when you have surgery, and which specialist performs the procedure.
| Medicare (Public System) | Health insurance with hip replacement cover | |
|---|---|---|
| When you can have treatment | Treatment is subject to public hospital waiting lists, which can sometimes be lengthy. | Treatment may be available sooner. If you haven't previously held cover that includes Joint Replacements, you may need to serve a waiting period, often 12 months. After that, you'll generally have more flexibility when choosing a hospital and specialist. |
| Where you can have treatment | Public hospitals allocated through the public healthcare system. |
Choice of participating private hospitals and, in some cases, public hospitals. |
| Who can treat you | Limited ability to choose your specialist. | |
| Cost to have the surgery | No hospital accommodation charges, surgeon or anaesthetist fees. Although you may still incur costs for appointments, tests or medications outside your hospital stay. |
Depending on your policy, you may pay an excess or co-payment. Out-of-pocket costs may also apply for services provided by your surgeon or anaesthetist, as well as out-of-hospital appointments. |
Private health insurance can help cover many of the costs associated with hip replacement surgery, including hospital accommodation and theatre costs, provided Joint Replacements are included in your cover and any waiting periods have been served.
However, you may still need to contribute towards some costs, including:
The amount you'll pay depends on your policy, your specialists and the hospital where you're treated. Before surgery, ask your specialist for informed financial consent, which outlines any expected out-of-pocket costs so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
With Australian Unity, our hospital only cover gives members access to Gap Cover, which can help reduce or eliminate some out-of-pocket costs when participating doctors use the scheme.
Hip replacement surgery may be covered by private hospital insurance when your policy includes the Joint Replacements Clinical Category. Medicare and your insurer will contribute towards your medical costs, such as your surgeon and anaesthetist fees. Your insurer will also pay benefits towards eligible hospital costs, including eligible prostheses. Medicare also covers eligible hip replacement surgery as a public patient in a public hospital. Your waiting time, provider choice and potential costs will differ depending on whether you are treated publicly or privately.
Health insurance policies that include Joint Replacements can help cover the cost of hip replacement surgery as a private patient.
If you're looking for affordable hospital cover, our Value Hospital cover includes Joint Replacements and comes with a $100 daily co-payment, helping to keep premiums lower while still providing cover for a range of hospital treatments, including hip replacements. If you'd prefer to avoid a co-payment, Assured Hospital is another option that includes cover for Joint Replacements.
For broader cover, a combined hospital and extras policy such as Secure Choice includes Joint Replacements as well as extras cover for services commonly used before and after surgery, such as physiotherapy and other health services that support mobility and overall wellbeing.
Not sure which option is right for you? Call us on 1800 760 719 for help comparing your options, or explore the hospital cover options that include hip replacement surgery.
If you have not had Joint replacement cover included in your policy before, waiting periods may apply. Usually, they are 12 months.
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