Tubal ligation cost

While it’s possible to have a tubal ligation reversal, it usually has mixed results.¹ Only half of the women who have a reversal manage to get pregnant. Therefore, tubal ligation should be seen as permanent birth control and only be considered if you definitely don’t want children.

If there’s a chance you may want to get pregnant later (e.g. change in circumstances, new partner, may want to try IVF), it’s best to consider other birth control methods, such as:^1,2

• A vasectomy
• Intrauterine device (IUD)
• Contraceptive implants
• Birth control pills
• Using a condom.

Talk to a health professional or family planning expert about your options and whether a tubal ligation is suitable.

If you’re in a long-term relationship with a male partner, you may be wondering if a vasectomy is also an option. While it’ll come down to personal circumstances and preference, there are some valid arguments for choosing a vasectomy over a tubal ligation, including:^1,2

• Vasectomies are a less invasive procedure
• Vasectomies have a quicker recovery rate
• While both procedures have high success rates, vasectomies have an even higher chance of preventing pregnancy
• Vasectomies are usually cheaper.

Laparoscopy and tubal ligation can be claimed on your private hospital cover, provided you have the right level of cover. Laparoscopies are included under the ‘Gynaecology’ clinical category of treatments. This category is a minimum requirement for Bronze, Silver and Gold tier hospital cover and is standard across health funds.

Be aware that there may be a ‘gap’ between the MBS fee (the amount your health fund and Medicare will cover) and the specialist fee. Your policy may entirely or partially cover this gap payment or you may end up paying it out-of-pocket.

However, there are many benefits to being treated as a private patient, including:

• Avoiding public hospital waiting lists
• Choice of healthcare specialist and where your procedure is performed
• Ability to book a procedure time (subject to availability)
• Private room (when necessary and subject to availability).

Medicare can cover the cost of tubal ligation performed as a public patient in a public hospital. It will also contribute 75% of the MBS fee for procedures performed in a private clinic. If your policy covers tubal ligation, your health fund will pay the remaining MBS amount. If you’re uninsured, you’ll need to pay this amount out of pocket.

Due to high demand, the public health system usually has a long waiting list for elective surgery. This could mean you could wait for weeks or months until you receive treatment. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the average public hospital waiting time for laparoscopy is 69 to 319 days.⁴

Whenever you take out a new hospital insurance policy, you need to be aware there may be a waiting period between when you purchase your policy and when you can make a claim.

For most claims, there will be a waiting period of two months. However, for pre-existing conditions, there will often be a waiting period of 12 months. This is standard across all health funds. If you’ve switched policies, you’ll only have to serve a waiting period for inclusions you didn’t previously have. If you haven’t yet completed your waiting periods, you will need to do so with your new fund.