Hysterectomy cost

There are several reasons why you may need a hysterectomy, with some of the most common being:¹

• Cancer of the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries
• Severe chronic, ongoing pelvic pain caused by conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis
• Uterine prolapse
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Fibroids (non-cancerous lumps) in the uterus
• Painful periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding that other treatments haven’t improved.

In rare cases, an emergency hysterectomy may need to be performed if there is uncontrolled, heavy bleeding that can’t be stopped through any other treatment. This can happen as a complication of childbirth.

Two key factors in defining the different types of hysterectomy are what’s being removed and how the procedure is performed.

The types of hysterectomy are:²

• Total hysterectomy: Involves removing both your uterus and cervix
• Sub-total hysterectomy: Involves removing your uterus while leaving the cervix in place
• Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy: A hysterectomy with the additional removal of the fallopian tubes
• Hysterectomy with oophorectomy: A hysterectomy with the removal of one or both ovaries.
• Radical or Wertheim’s hysterectomy: Involves removing your uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, the upper part of the vagina and lymph nodes. This type of hysterectomy is usually reserved for removing cancer.

The three ways a hysterectomy can be performed are:¹

• Abdominal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through an incision in your abdomen
• Vaginal hysterectomy: The uterus is removed through your vagina
• Laparoscopic hysterectomy: Keyhole surgery involving a laparoscopy, which involves a camera and surgical instruments entering your abdomen through small incisions.

The type of surgery you have may influence your recovery time and final costs. The best option for you will depend on various factors and should be discussed with your doctor.

Yes, private insurance can contribute towards the costs of a hysterectomy, providing you have private hospital cover which may help you pay for the surgery and hospital stay expenses. All three types of hysterectomy mentioned in this article (abdominal, vaginal and laparoscopic) fall under gynaecology which is included as a minimum requirement in Bronze, Silver, and Gold level cover. Most hysterectomies are considered elective surgeries, provided the hysterectomy isn’t being performed as an emergency.

There are many benefits to being treated as a private inpatient for your hysterectomy. The national average waiting time for a hysterectomy in a public hospital in Australia is 84 days.⁶ These waiting times have been increasing steadily over the last decade, with 2022-2023 being the highest recorded. Being treated as a private patient allows you to avoid this waiting list, have a choice of specialist, and have a private room (subject to availability).

Medicare can cover the cost of a hysterectomy, provided you have the procedure performed through the public healthcare system. You won’t have to pay any fees for the procedure itself. However, the downsides of going through the public health system are the waiting times and the lack of flexibility regarding when and where your procedure is performed.