Brachioplasty Cost Considerations
In Australia Brachioplasty cost 5000 to 10000 AUD on average. Surgeons charge different rates based on their expertise, location, and the type of brachioplasty. Anesthetist and hospital fees cost extra. Private health cover and Medicare rebates may reduce out-of-pocket costs.
What is the most significant factor that affects the cost of brachioplasty surgery?
Qualifying for the Medicare rebate for brachioplasty surgery in Australia (MBS Item # 30169) can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs. If you have Gold-level private health coverage, the cost may decrease further.
Medicare Rebate in Australia
The Australian government offers a Medicare rebate to patients who meet the criteria for medical services listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). The rebate will not cover the total cost of medical services related to procedures such as brachioplasty surgery. However, it can lessen a patient’s financial burden. The patient is responsible for paying the difference out-of-pocket.
MBS Item 30169 | Medicare Benefits Schedule
Who It’s For
This item number is only valid for post-weight loss patients who will undergo brachioplasty for functional or clinically necessary reasons.
Rules and Prerequisites
- The excess skin and subcutaneous fat must be a direct result of massive weight loss, defined as losing 5 BMI units or more, not including weight gained or lost during pregnancy.
- While most candidates have lost weight through bariatric surgery, you can still apply if you have lost weight the old-fashioned way so long as you can provide medical records to confirm the number of BMI units lost.
- You have maintained a stable weight for at least six months after losing weight.
- You must have intertrigo or another skin condition that poses a risk to the skin integrity, which hasn’t resolved with three months of conservative treatment.
- Removal of the excess skin and fat is not intended for the purpose of weight loss.
- The excess skin interferes with your daily activities.
- You must be a citizen or private resident of Australia.
What it Covers
The Medicare rebate typically covers a portion of the anaesthetist fee and surgeon fee. If you have Medicare and a private health fund, you can get up to 100% of the MBS Schedule Fee back. If you only have Medicare, you will be responsible for paying hospital fees out-of-pocket.
How it Works
To claim the Medicare rebate for arm lift surgery (brachioplasty), you will first need a referral from your General Practitioner. Only then can you speak to a specialist surgeon. The GP referral is usually valid for up to 12 months.
Diagnostic imaging, photographs, documented symptoms of pain and discomfort, documentation showing how many BMI units were lost, and evidence of failed conservative therapy for skin conditions must be submitted with the application. Your GP should be keeping records of all this.
Private Health Insurance Coverage
If you meet the strict criteria for the Medicare rebate, you might also be eligible for additional rebates from your private health insurance provider. If you have a private health fund, you must call to ask if they cover the MBS item number for your specific policy. If not, you can upgrade your private health plan, but doing so typically delays the process by a year, known as the ‘exclusion period’.
How do I find out how much brachioplasty costs?
You can expect to pay some costs out-of-pocket, even if you qualify for Medicare or private health fund rebates. To determine how much you will pay for brachioplasty surgery, you will need to speak to a specialist surgeon. This will require a referral from your GP.
Your First Consultation
During your initial consultation, you can expect your specialist surgeon to examine your skin elasticity, ask what you hope to accomplish with brachioplasty, review your medical history, tell you about the risks of surgery, and create a surgical plan to remove loose skin or extra fat on your arms.
Most surgeons charge a consultation fee. You may get some money back for this if you qualify for Item 104 in the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
Your Second Consultation
Patients usually need to return to the specialist surgeon for a second consultation. At this point, the surgeon’s patient coordinator will provide an exact price quote for the surgeon fee and start gathering the hospital and anaesthetist price quotes.
Brachioplasty Costs to Consider
The price quote you receive may list separate costs for the surgeon fee, anaesthesia fee, and hospital fees.
Hospital Fee
If you have private insurance, the cost of the hospital may be covered depending on your policy and level of cover. If you do not have private insurance, expect to pay all hospital charges out-of-pocket.
Each hospital charges different rates affected by the length of your hospital stay, the amount of time spent in the operating room, and additional operative costs.
- Day stay: Hospital fee is usually 1000 or less
- Overnight stay: Hospital fee is usually between 1000-1600
- Operation Time: Hospitals usually charge between 1200-1500 per hour
- Additional Operative Costs: Extra fees typically range between 1200-1500 for ancillary items such as ARTISS tissue glue, etc.
Anaesthetist Fee
A Brachioplasty operation will require general anesthesia administered by a licensed anaesthetist. Each anaesthetist determines their own fee schedule. Pricing typically ranges between 600-800 per hour, but can vary.
*You will get a health fund rebate back for the anaesthetist fee if you qualify for the MBS item #.
Surgeon Fee
The surgeon fee will depend on the complexity of the brachioplasty.
*You will get a partial health fund rebate for the surgeon fee if you qualify for the MBS item #. Note that a mini brachioplasty is not covered by the MBS item number, so those patients can expect to pay all costs out-of-pocket.
Mini Brachioplasty
A mini brachioplasty is usually the least expensive option since it removes the least amount of loose skin and excess fat.
- Operation Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Surgeon Fee: Typically between 4500-6000, but can vary
- Covered by MBS Item # 30169: No
Full Brachioplasty
A full brachioplasty usually costs more than a mini brachioplasty, but less than an extended Brachioplasty. This brachioplasty procedure removes a significant amount of loose skin and excess fat from the upper arms. It’s the most common type of Brachioplasty.
- Operation Time: 3 to 4 hours (depending on how big the arm is)
- Surgeon Fee: Typically between $6000-9000, but can vary
- Covered by MBS Item # 30169: Yes, strict criteria apply
Extended Brachioplasty
An extended upper brachioplasty usually costs the most since it removes excess skin from both the upper arms and the sides of the chest. It’s usually reserved for patients with an extreme amount of loose skin and excess fat after significant weight loss.
- Operation Time: 4 to 5 hours (depending on the extent of surgery)
- Surgeon Fee: Typically up to 10,000, but can vary
- Covered by MBS Item # 30169: Yes, strict criteria applies
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction)-based brachioplasty
Add-on services such as
Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction) will likely increase the surgeon’s fee and hospital fee due to the extra time spent in the operating room. Most Brachioplasty patients find it is usually well worth the additional cost since liposuction further refines the upper arm by removing fat deposits.
We spoke to specialist general surgeon Dr Bernard Beldholm, and he says he often performs VASER liposuction and Brachioplasty as a combined procedure. His technique is called a VASER-Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction) Brachioplasty.
In his 15+ years of experience as a FRACS surgeon, he has found this results in the most refined brachioplasty outcomes.
Additional Financial Factors
Most brachioplasty patients only think about the big expenses like the surgeon, hospital, and anaesthetist fees. However, if you’re planning to undergo Brachioplasty surgery, there may be other financial factors to consider.
- You’ll need to take time off of work (usually two to three weeks) to recover.
- You may need to hire a nanny or babysitter to tend to your kids if you don’t have family members to assist with childcare as you heal.
- If you have a surgical complication, any medical services necessary to manage the complication will cost extra. *Australians that qualify for MBS Item 30169 usually do not pay extra costs if they have a complication.
- If you don’t have a family member to assist with driving as you heal from surgery, you may need to pay for transportation to attend follow-up appointments with your surgeon.
- You may spend money upgrading your wardrobe if your arm shape changes significantly.
FAQs
Will insurance cover brachioplasty surgery in AUS?
If you have private health cover, your plan may cover some or all of the hospital fees depending on your policy and level of coverage.
How else can I prepare for brachioplasty procedure?
You’ll likely need to adjust your lifestyle and current medications to prepare for surgery. For example, you may need to stop smoking and avoid nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs. The initial healing process usually lasts two to three weeks, so you’ll need to plan time off work, arrange for childcare assistance, and find reliable transportation to and from the hospital.
What else should I know before deciding to have brachioplasty?
Realistic expectations are crucial. Brachioplasty surgery won’t make you look like a celebrity or reinvent your life. The procedure can, however, remove extra skin, get rid fat, and reduce rashes and discomfort from extra skin. Ideal candidates have reached their goal weight and are physically fit.
What is the recovery like after a Brachioplasty procedure?
Many patients take two to three weeks off of work to recover. At that point, they usually feel well enough to resume normal activities like driving. Full healing can take anywhere from six weeks to three months. For optimal results, you will likely need to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling as you heal. You will also need to maintain a stable weight to keep your arms toned after the procedure.
Will I need to stop smoking?
Upper brachioplasty patients must quit smoking before and after the procedure. Otherwise, it can lead to complications. You may be able to have an upper brachioplasty if you quit a few weeks to months before the surgery and remain dedicated to a smoke-free lifestyle for several months afterward.
What do Brachioplasty scars look like?
The ideal candidate for brachioplasty procedure understands that there will be a surgical scar. In a full brachioplasty, the scar is usually placed on the back or inside aspect of the upper arms. The scar should eventually blend in with the nearby skin, but will never disappear completely. It can take a year or longer for the surgery scars to mature. Be sure to protect the scar site from the sun until the scar fades.
