Will Medicare Cover the Whole Cost of Breast Reduction for a Woman with Size G Breasts?

Here in Australia, if you can obtain a referral to the plastic surgery department of a public hospital from your GP, and your surgery is for medical reasons, you could be placed on the public waiting list for surgery and your breast reduction would be done without any cost to you. Unfortunately in 2017, at least in Melbourne, it seems there are very few (if any) public hospital plastic surgery departments who will accept a breast reduction referral. Most hospitals will simply inform your GP that they don't offer breast reduction surgery full stop. 
If you decide to have surgery done privately, and if your surgery is for medical reasons, Medicare will cover a small amount of the overall cost of the procedure. If you have private health insurance, a much larger proportion of the cost (maybe half) would be covered by that insurance. 
You could obtain more accurate information that applies to you personally by speaking to the staff of your local plastic surgery practice, or having a consultation with an experienced surgeon. Remember to ensure they are qualified specialist plastic surgeons and members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Thank you for the question and congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery. It is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.

Based on your description you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure. This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization.

You may find that working with Medicare  that you will not be able to obtain “preauthorization”.

Make sure you are  working with a well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.  

Best wishes.

You should consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can submit the appropriate authorization and photos needed to get approved. There is no guarantee that your case will be accepted, as this depends on your individual case (your size and your symptoms). Medicare reimbursement is not very good for plastic surgeons so it may be difficult to find a surgeon in network.

Meet with a few plastic surgeons before you commit to surgery.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno