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Will Medicare cover a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) or Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery after Pregnancy?

Medicare MBS Item Numbers and rebate eligibility for Plastic Surgery can be subject to regular changes, and in turn, can be highly confusing to many patients.

Throughout this blog, we provide answers to some of our more frequently asked questions when it comes to Medicare rebates for Tummy (Abdomen) and Breast surgery.

URGENT UPDATE – The Australian Government has reinstated a Medicare Item Number for a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) for some post-pregnancy patients suffering from Diastasis Recti (Split Tummy Muscles)if you are eligible and meet the new criteria. This new 30175Medicare Item Number– is effective 1st July 2022.Read the30175 Medicare Item Number factsheet.

If you qualify for the 30175 Medicare item number you may also get a subsidy from your Health Fund. There will still be a significant out-of-pocket GAP as Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery is NOT FREE.

Will Medicare Cover Breast and Tummy Surgery (Abdominoplasty) after Pregnancy?

Medicare rebates for Breast and Tummy (Abdomen) Surgery after pregnancy

Will Medicare cover Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) or Breast Surgery after pregnancy?

There is a new Medicare Item Number for Abdominoplasty for post pregnancy repair of split tummy (abdomen) muscles IF you meet the strict criteria.

Rebates for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) surgery may also apply if breast ptosis (drooping/sagging) is severe enough and strict conditions are met. Similarly, rebates may also apply for Breast Reduction surgery (subject to criteria and documentation approval).

Rebates can only be requested after surgery has occurred, and is subject to criteria with no guarantee of coverage.

Doesn’t a Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) after pregnancy have medically-warranted health benefits? Why was the 30177 code removed for post-pregnancy patients?

  • Surgery costs increased for women after the Australian Government and insurance companies stopped covering this procedure in Nov 2018.
  • The MBS item code was removed even though groups quoted peer-reviewed medical research indicating outcomes of post-pregnancy Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) surgery in reducing back pain, repairing abdominal area weakness, and reducing urinary incontinence.

What happened to MBS codes in November 2018?

  • MBS codes for plastic surgery changed on 1 November 2018, with more stringent criteria and document requirements introduced.
  • It may now be more difficult to qualify for rebates which can only be requested after Surgery has occurred. Additionally, there is no guarantee of approval for a rebate.

MBS Medicare rebates for Breast Surgery or Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) Surgery after weight loss vs. after pregnancy

  • The 30177 MBS code is for Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) or Lipectomy skin reduction in the abdominal area after significant weight loss.
  • There is a new 30175 item number for pregnancy-related changes
  • A Breast Lift (Mastopexy) item code (for Bilateral Breast Lift Surgery after pregnancy) remains, but MBS Item code 45557 has been removed as of 1 November 2018.
  • Stricter criteria and further diagnostic support documentation apply to all remaining MBS codes for Plastic Surgery.

Many women who have children may also have been obese or lost weight through bariatric surgery. In this case, Medicare may cover the procedure, however, you must meet strict criteria including extensive documentation/photography.

Does Medicare cover a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) for ptotic breasts after pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Yes, your surgery may be covered for a Breast Lift (Mastopexy) if breast ptosis is severe enough and meets criteria. However, ptosis must be quite severe in degree and photographic evidence must be supplied.

Please note, you may only request a rebate after surgery has occurred and there is no guarantee of approval.

What is the MBS Item Code Number or rebate for a Mastopexy (Bilateral Breast Lift (Mastopexy))?

  • The MBS item number for a Bilateral Mastopexy for Breast Ptosis is 45558
  • Click here to review the online MBS criteria definition for Breast Lift/Mastopexy surgery after pregnancy.

Are hospital expenses fully covered for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) surgery after pregnancy?

Private health cover will not be available if you do not meet the MBS code criteria. This is because Health Funds rely on you having an MBS item number for cover. Usually, there will be out of pocket expenses even if you have a good insurance fund.

Policies of Health Funds for plastic surgery hospital cover is changing to a tiered-system in 2019. This change may impact your surgery costs, expenses and/or coverage.

Is it difficult to prove that breast ptosis meets MBS criteria for a post-pregnancy Breast Lift (Mastopexy)?

  • Extensive documentation, photographic evidence and medical testing will be required to assess and prove eligibility criteria.
  • Some surgeries now require photographs of patient conditions both before and during surgery.
  • Applicable rebates for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery are more difficult to qualify for as ptosis must be quite severe in degree. You can only request a rebate after surgery has occurred and there is no guarantee you will be approved.

If weight loss was unrelated to pregnancy, does body contouring plastic surgery qualify for an MBS code?

  • Skin reduction procedure(s) may be eligible for an MBS rebate weight loss was as a result of lifestyle changes or bariatric surgery. Procedures may include Belt Lipectomy, Abdominoplasty or Arm Reduction surgery.
  • Typically, any coverage or rebates only apply if these surgeries are performed as completely separate procedures, as opposed to combined procedures in a single session.

What are multiple procedure rules and MBS rebates for combined surgeries in one operation theatre session?

Not being able to combine surgeries is a common frustration among patients. To qualify for Medicare coverage, body contouring surgeries need to be staged, with only one operation performed at a time.

If your excess skin is solely related to pregnancy or to standard post-baby weight-loss, it does not warrant an MBS code at this time.

What happened to Abdominoplasty, Belt Lipectomy and Liposuction Medicare codes on the 1st of November 2018?

What about Lipectomy or skin reduction in the abdominal area after bariatric surgery or significant loss of weight?

Lipectomy and skin reduction after weight loss or bariatric surgery may be covered if strict criteria are met. However, this is subject to photographic documentation and testing.

If you are contemplating Abdominoplasty or skin reduction after weight loss which is not related to pregnancy, your coverage may depend on how much skin redundancy you have, and how much these weight changes are contributing to your health conditions.

You can contact our Patient Care team on (03) 8849 1400 to find out more.

MBS rebates and item codes for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery: #45558 – Bilateral Mastopexy

The MBS lists Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery as a Category 3 – therapeutic procedure and it is MBS item code: 45558 (Bilateral) or 45556 (Unilateral).

So, what should I keep in mind?

In a nutshell:

  • MBS codes are subject to unpredictable changes. Private Health funds also regularly change their policy coverage.
  • You should always check the most up-to-date information via Medicare and your insurance company.
  • Medicare does not cover any Cosmetic Surgery.
  • Some Surgery after pregnancy, however, is corrective in nature, such as Breast Lift (Mastopexy) procedures for moderately to severely ptotic nipples, and may be covered by Medicare. However, this is subject to strict criteria.
  • Your GP and Specialist may be able to ascertain if your requirements meet the strict Medicare rebate criteria for Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery or Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) post-pregnancy.
  • Contact us on (03) 8849 1400 to discuss estimated out of pocket expenses for your specific surgery.

This blog provides a general overview of the Medicare system and plastic or cosmetic surgery procedures. It is not comprehensive and other updates may apply.

Further Reading on Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) or Breast Lift (Mastopexy) Surgery after Pregnancy

Specialist Plastic Surgeons and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon

With a wealth of experience and training, our Specialist Plastic and ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeons are dedicated to best-practice patient care and education, customising Surgery for each and every patient to best meet their needs and desired surgical outcomes.

Dr Craig Rubinstein
Dr Broughton Snell
Dr Stephen Kleid
Dr Gary Kode

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001124843

Dr Craig Rubinstein

Dr Craig Rubinstein is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. With over 20 years of surgical experience especially in all areas of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, but particularly in breast surgery. These include Breast Augmentation and Breast Reduction as well as Breast Surgery Revision.

Furthermore, he believes that surgical customisation, precision planning and technical expertise help him to provide optimal surgical outcomes for his patients.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001190266

Dr Broughton Snell

Dr Broughton Snell is a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. His training in Plastic Surgery took place in Australia and the United States of America (USA).

Dr Snell is a fully qualified specialist plastic surgeon having completed his Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in plastic and reconstructive surgery. He has also spent time following the completion of this qualification gaining further experience and training in the area of craniomaxillofacial surgery, training which he completed in world-renowned centres here and in the United States.

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) Surgeon MED0001052799

Dr Stephen Kleid

Dr Stephen Kleid is an experienced Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon (Otolaryngologist) based in Melbourne with a passion for Septo-rhinoplasty, Septoplasty, as well as, a strong interest in Rhinoplasty Revision.

Dr Kleid trained at Melbourne University, then completed surgical training at various hospitals including Royal Melbourne, Royal Children’s, The Eye and Ear and St Vincents. He worked as a surgeon at the University of Florida Medical school for further experience.

Specialist Plastic Surgeon MED0001405964

Dr Gary Kode

Dr Gary Kode is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, with experience in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as non-surgical treatments.

Dr Kode is a member of several organisations, including the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), The International Confederation for Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, and he holds a Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

What to do next?

Our Patient Liaison Team can assist with any questions you may have when considering a procedure. You can send in an enquiry form below or call our Melbourne Clinic between 9 am – 5 pm Monday - Friday.

Disclaimer: Results depend on individual patient circumstances and can vary significantly. Results may also be impacted by a variety of factors including your lifestyle, weight, nutritional intake and overall health. Consult your Specialist Plastic Surgeon for details. This information is general in nature and is not intended to be medical advice nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Surgery risks and complications will be covered in detail during a consultation with your Surgeon.

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