Before you have surgery, find out how much it will cost to have a breast reconstruction. Check with your surgeon, the hospital, Medicare and your private health fund, if you have one, before deciding to go ahead. Ask about likely out-of-pocket costs. These may include pain medicines, post-surgical bras and check-ups with your breast surgeon.
Learn more about:
Help with costs
Services to help with the costs of a reconstruction include:
| If you live in a regional or rural area | Every state and territory has a government scheme that provides financial help to people who need to travel long distances for specialist medical treatment that is not available in their local area. Many schemes also assist with the cost of accommodation. Ask the hospital social worker about services you are eligible to receive. |
| If you need legal or financial advice | Talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Cancer Council offers free legal and financial services in some states and territories for people who can’t afford to pay – call 13 11 20 to ask if you are eligible. |
| If you have your nipple tattooed | There is a Medicare rebate if the tattooing is done by a health professional with a Medicare provider number. If you have private health insurance, it may cover the cost of the tattooing. |
Download our Insurance and cancer fact sheet.
What to consider – reconstruction costs
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→ READ MORE: Looking after yourself
With my private insurance, I was significantly out of pocket. However, the advantage gained with the reconstruction was well worth the cost.
Gwen
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Dr Jane O’Brien, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgeon, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, VIC; Clare Bradshaw, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Rene Hahn, Consumer; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Marc Langbart, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Randwick Plastic Surgery, NSW; Melanie Law, Consumer; Sally Levy, Consumer; Annmaree Mitchell, Consumer; Ashleigh Mondolo, Breast Cancer Nurse Clinical Consultant, Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Rochelle Osgood, Clinical Nurse Consultant – McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD: Dr Kallyani Ponniah, Head of Department, Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA; Meg Rynderman OAM, Consumer; Sarah Stewart, Breast Care Nurse, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC; Erin Tidball, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Jane Turner, Senior Exercise Physiologist, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Cancer Centre, NSW.
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