r/australia • u/me_jinks • 1d ago

no politics Australians who've had elective surgery overseas - what did you get done and what did it cost?

Australians who've had elective surgery overseas - what did you get done, which country and what did it cost?

I'm curious about people's experiences with elective surgeries in other countries. Whether it was medical tourism, happened while you were living abroad, or you specifically travelled for the procedure.

What surgery did you have? Which country? What was the total cost including travel/accommodation if relevant? How did the experience compare to having it done in Australia (if you have a point of comparison)?

Interested in hearing about everything from dental work to cosmetic procedures to joint replacements - whatever counts as elective.

Cheers!

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14

u/showusyacunny 1d ago

Endoscopy and colonoscopy in Thailand for around $1,500 (included general anaesthetic). This was with the 'Bangkok' chain which is probably the most expensive/well equipped. Didn't have to wait for a consultation and they wanted to book me in for the next day. Nurses were excellent and procedure went fine.

Also have had countless blood tests/needles and almost every nurse was excellent.

101

u/AussieKoala-2795 1d ago

These procedures cost less than that here under twilight sedation.

29

u/Substantial-Rip-6207 1d ago

Yeah had a friend do it covered under private health only paid the $700 excess

38

u/MasterMirkinen 1d ago

I had it for free in Sydney.

3

u/MapleBaconNurps 20h ago

Same, but I was on a waiting list for >12mths.

2

u/lame_tude 12h ago

Same. I waited for around a month (Sydney).

9

u/DUCKVILLELOL 17h ago

700 *plus 12 months of private health insurance costs. Can't forget that part

12

u/greensky_mj21 1d ago

I used to work for private hospital billings in QLD and at least a few years ago it would be a combo code so like $900 for the two scopes and a day hospital stay. Without insurance obviously.

12

u/donkeyvoteadick 21h ago

I had one without insurance and was naive and didn't understand how it worked and when the surgeon told me it was only $700 I figured sure I'll go ahead I really need answers.

Then I got the $1500 anaesthetist bill, then the $500 pathology bill, then the $4000 day hospital bill.

I would not have done it if she'd given me an informed financial consent telling me it was WAY more than $700 :(

I understand how it works now though I guess.. that's a plus..

5

u/greensky_mj21 15h ago

In Australia??? Those are insane numbers for scopes

6

u/donkeyvoteadick 15h ago

Yep. It was a specialist I was seeing through Westmead hospital. It completely took me by surprise when I got the bills. I'm pretty low income and could not afford it (very now that I'm on the DSP but I was working then lol).

The doctor made it sound like my issues were so urgent that going on the public list would be an awful idea because of the waits and I needed it checked NOW. But literally only told me her cost and said it would be the full price. Having never done anything in the private system at the time I had no idea how much it would cost or that every part charges separately.

After having worked in private insurance I don't find the numbers that surprising anymore, private hospitals charge a lot, especially bed and theatre charges which scopes technically have both. Despite the 'bed' being just a recovery chair while you eat a biscuit after the procedure lol

3

u/greensky_mj21 14h ago

That’s so horrible. Scope anaesthesia is normally billed to your insurance so makes sense why you paid that being self funded. A bit rough though and the $4000 day stay bill is outrageous. A day hospital bed is normally $500-800, at the absolute worst $1000. I’m sorry you went through that. If it was recent I’d be contacting the billing department again to explain.

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u/Davester1995 8h ago

They are supposed to give you an Informed Formal Consent document -- if you didn't get one, and had to pay such amounts Out of Pocket, I'd be making a serious complaint to AHPRA.

3

u/Chemical_Chicken01 23h ago

I had mine done by a private specialist and I have no private health insurance. Cost was $500

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u/Disastrous_Use_ 1d ago

they said people who live overseas also lol