Monday, September 21
Sign the official petition to reinstate medicare coverage for abdominoplasty surgery following pregnancy injury
The background
In 2016 Medicare withdrew the item number for abdominoplasty or tummy tuck surgery following pregnancy, without any public or clinical consultation. One of our most frequently asked questions is 'Can I use my private health insurance to repair muscle separation caused by pregnancy?'
Medicare changes
Unfortunately the answer to that question is NO. Since 2016 tummy tuck surgery, including repair of abdominal muscle separation (also called diastatis recti) after pregnancy and childbirth is now considered cosmetic surgery!!
In 2018 Dr Alistair Taylor, a Canberra based specialist plastic surgeon completed a multi-centre research project which has provided NEW evidence and NEW HOPE FOR POST-PARTUM WOMEN. This study spearheaded by Dr. Taylor proved that functional abdominoplasties (tummy tucks) could be life-changing for women that have had children, improving back pain and urinary incontinence by over 70%!
Unfortunately, Medicare does not recognise this procedure for post-partum women, as they argue the benefits are purely cosmetic. However, a new petition to the Australian government is calling for the item number for abdominoplasties to be reinstated for post-partum women, making the procedure more affordable and potentially providing relief to thousands of women!
You can help
Australians have until the 23rd of September to petition the government to reinstate these medicare item numbers for post-partum women. Please sign the official petition here.