Brain surgery is a medical specialty that involves the surgical treatment of conditions and disorders of the brain and nervous system.
Brain surgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions and perform procedures to manage symptoms and improve function.
A bronze tier private health insurance policy can help cover the cost of private surgery.
Compare health insurance quotes for brain surgery and treatment
Here are some Finder policies that will cover some of the cost of brain surgery in a private hospital. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $93,000 income and living in Sydney.
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$93,000 and under
$93,001 to $108,000
$108,001 to $144,000
$144,001 and over
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*Prices updated March 2024, in line with Finder's
database of health insurance policies. Prices are based
on a single individual with less than $93,000 income and
living in Sydney with a $750 excess.
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How can I pay for brain surgery?
Both Medicare and private health insurance can contribute towards the cost of brain surgery.
Medicare
Medicare can cover 100% of many of the MBS fees associated with brain surgery if you are treated as a public patient in a public hospital. Keep in mind though that if any healthcare provider charges more than the MBS fee, as they often do, you'll have to pay for it yourself.
Private health insurance
You can get private health insurance for brain and nervous treatment with all bronze tier hospital policies. This can cover you for care in a private hospital and can include investigation and treatment of the brain, chemotherapy, immunotherapy for cancer and more. Costs generally range from around $88 a month.
How does medicare cover brain surgery and treatment?
Medicare will usually cover the cost of staying and being treated as a public patient in a public hospital. You generally won't be able to choose your own doctor or choose when you want to undergo brain treatment or surgery. This is largely because public waiting times are normally longer as they're busier, so you don't have the same flexibility as you would with private health care.
Medicare will also pay a benefit towards seeing a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgical consultation structure consists of an initial consultation (Medicare Benefits Schedule no. 6007) and four categories of subsequent consultations. These categories relate to both the length of consultation time and the complexity of what is being discussed. Here's a break down of some of the prices (correct as of 7th September 2021):
Medicare also provides cover for deep brain stimulation, which is sometimes required for Parkinson's disease or for treating tremors or dystonia. Because there are so many different types of brain treatment, you should consult your local Medicare office to find out exactly what you're covered for.
How does private health insurance cover treatment?
You can get private health insurance for brain and nervous treatment with all bronze tier hospital policies. Costs generally range from around $88 a month and includes cover for:
Investigation and treatment of the brain
Brain-related conditions
Spinal cord and peripheral nervous system
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer (these come under a separate service but are also included in all bronze policies)
You will generally have to serve a waiting period of 2 months (12 months for pre-existing conditions) before you can claim though you will get to choose the doctor of your choice and treatment is generally very quick.
How much does health insurance cost?
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what they told us in June 2024.
Basic: $110
Bronze: $143
Silver: $162
Gold: $197
Price based on 1,000+ responses for single hospital insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Brain surgery, also known as neurosurgery, is a medical specialty that involves the surgical treatment of conditions and disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. This includes diagnosing and treating conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms, hydrocephalus, and traumatic injuries. It also involves performing procedures such as deep brain stimulation and shunt placement to manage symptoms and improve function.
Brain surgery can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including brain tumors, epilepsy, aneurysms, hydrocephalus, and traumatic injuries. It can also be used to perform procedures such as deep brain stimulation and shunt placement to manage symptoms and improve function.
Brain surgery is a complex and delicate procedure, and as with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. However, advancements in medical technology and surgical techniques have greatly improved the safety and effectiveness of brain surgery. The risks and benefits of the procedure should be discussed with a neurosurgeon before making a decision.
Private health insurance policies in Australia generally cover the cost of brain surgery, including the procedure and any necessary hospital stays and follow-up care. However, the extent of coverage may vary depending on the policy and the individual's circumstances. It is important to check with your health insurer before the surgery to understand your coverage.
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Written by
Gary Ross Hunter
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full profile
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You pay nothing. Finder is free to use. And you pay the same as going direct. No markups, no hidden fees.
You save time. We spend 100s of hours researching health insurance so you can sort the gold from the junk faster.
You can trust us. We say it like it is. We aren't owned by an insurer and our opinions are our own.
