Introduction:
Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is fast becoming one of the most common procedures performed in the specialty of bariatric surgery. Currently, the vast majority of LSG’s performed in Australia are undertaken within the private healthcare setting. Studies have confirmed that bariatric surgery offers a potentially cost-effective intervention in morbidly obese patients compared with non-surgical interventions. In Australia, patients have the ability to access their superannuation to pay for life-saving procedures including bariatric operations. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of patients choosing to access their superannuation funds as a payment method for LSG at an Australian surgical centre.
Method:
A retrospective analysis was undertaken incorporating 235 patients with a BMI>30 who had undergone a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at the Mater Hospital Pimlico between 2014-2016. The method of payment for each patient was reviewed including whether they had chosen to access their superannuation funds to pay for their operations. Patients who chose not to access their superannuation as a payment method for their operation were excluded from the study.
Results:
Of the 235 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, 88 (37.4%) chose to access their superannuation funds as a means of payment for their operation. Of these individuals, 68 (77.3%) held private health insurance, while 20 (22.7%) had no private health insurance.
Conclusion:
37.4% of all patients who underwent an elective LSG at the Mater Hospital Pimlico between 2014-16 elected to access their superannuation as a means of payment for their operation. Additionally, over three quarters of these individuals were covered by private health insurance.