The costs of a laparoscopy

Hi All,

I've just joined up here and this is my first ever post! It is comforting to read some of the other posts here - makes me realise that perhaps we're not alone in this frustrating journey!

Anyway to cut a long story short, DH and I have been TTC for about 18 months now, and I've been told that its very likely that I have endometriosis, and the dr is suggesting a laparoscopy. I'm OK with this, but then i received the quote for the procedure, and even with private health insurance (hospital) we're likely to be around $3500 out of pocket. Does that sound right or is the doctor overcharging us for his services?

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who has had the procedure.

Thanks
TanyaH

Hi Tanya,
Welcome. No you are not alone. Very much part of a big group of people in a similar situation.
I'm not sure where you are but i'll let you know what our costs were anyway.
My lap was done in a private hospital without private insurance.
All up mine cost just over $2,000. This includes $640 for the anaesthetist, which medicare gave me $280 back on. Medicare covered nothing else. Most of the cost was from Freemasons - my FS (surgeon) didn't cost that much. Maybe i was just lucky.

Good luck with your lap, and your TTC.

Tanyah,
sounds like he might be giving you a quotation for a laparoscopy with some endo. removal as that sounds very expensive. I had just an investigative laparoscopy 3 years ago and had limited Private health insurance and had to pay $700 to the hospital, about $200 for the anaesthetist and absolutely nothing to the doctor so $3500 sounds heaps. They probably quote a maximum amount jsut in case but even if that is a maximum it is heaps.
Hopefully some of the girls who have had endo removed will be able to help you out with more accurate cost.

Thank you both for such a quick reply!

The Doctor did say that if he finds anything, he plans to remove it at the same time (if possible). So perhaps that accounts for the additional cost.

Mine started as an 'investigative' lap, as it's not really possible to diagnose without a lap. The cost i told you included 98% endo removal. I have some left behind which would have required major surgery so this was left. It only cost a tiny bit more once they found the endo, because my FS had to call in an assistant to help - they found a fair bit, along with adhesions which had formed also. The cost also included a hysteroscopy, dye studies, a D&C and the laboratory costs for doing a biopsy.

Jo

My sister had one last year.. i think she said it ended up being about $2000. She went to a day surgery place and has private health cover.

Wow, mine is also about $2,000 all up but I am only paying $438.40 out of pocket as my health insurance covers all anaesthesia and most of costs of lap procedure. It will be slightly more if the Dr uses an assistant for endo removal etc which is at my cost I believe. so far only investigative and tube flushing unless they find anything which will be removed at the same time.
Good luck with it.

Hi there,
I have a basic private hospital cover and it looks like the maximum will be $700-ish out of pocket. It's not a definate quote as there may or may not be any endo in which case it could be cheaper I guess?
hope that helps.
sassba

I was only $300 out of pocket and I had a lap, hysterography, and ovarian drilling. I had PHI and my anaestists was about a $30 gap. That was with PHI thou
Bec

I had one years ago at a public hospital (Monash Medical) and it cost me nothing. I was put on a waiting list to get it done and I thought it would take ages & it only took one month. I didn't have insurance so that's why I went public.

My lap and hysterscope cost nothing I never recieved a bill even though I went private. Im guessing my Gyno charged me as a public patient as did the anethiset who is also my gp. I didnt have to wait either Saw gyno 1 week and had it done the next. It might be worth asking if there is a waiting list. I think too because where I live the public and private hospital are on the same grounds and share the operating theatre. But I definately went private and I only have basic hospital cover through HCF.

I had a lap + hys + HSG lasts Monday (May 21). I don't have private health insurance, and went private. It cost me $1400 all up. I was quoted $1800 if I had to have endo removal, but I didn't so it cost less. The hospital i also one is QLD which uses instruments that are really small, so I didn't need any stitches on my belly or pubic line. I got hardly any bruising or bleeding either. So I guess it depends on which dr you go with and which hopsital.

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Hi All,

I've just joined up here and this is my first ever post! It is comforting to read some of the other posts here - makes me realise that perhaps we're not alone in this frustrating journey!

Anyway to cut a long story short, DH and I have been TTC for about 18 months now, and I've been told that its very likely that I have endometriosis, and the dr is suggesting a laparoscopy. I'm OK with this, but then i received the quote for the procedure, and even with private health insurance (hospital) we're likely to be around $3500 out of pocket. Does that sound right or is the doctor overcharging us for his services?

I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who has had the procedure.

Thanks
TanyaH

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Hi,
I want to expand upon the options for women with PCOS. Please know that alternative therapies may be very helpful to you. Acupuncture and TCM and Naturopathy in particular. Many women have been helped already. Ask questions and ignore the superstitions of ignorant folk who don't understand natural therapies. Find out for yourself.
Best wishes.

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My lap and hysterscope cost nothing I never recieved a bill even though I went private. Im guessing my Gyno charged me as a public patient as did the anethiset who is also my gp. I didnt have to wait either Saw gyno 1 week and had it done the next. It might be worth asking if there is a waiting list. I think too because where I live the public and private hospital are on the same grounds and share the operating theatre. But I definately went private and I only have basic hospital cover through HCF.

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Hi Collo,
I am seeking a laparoscopic surgeon who will perform an ovarian resection. Know of one? Would you recommend yours?
Cheers.