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External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

A reimbursement for new or replacement external breast prostheses for women who have had a mastectomy due to breast cancer.

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Eligibility basics

  • be eligible for Medicare
  • had a mastectomy due to breast cancer

Eligibility & payment rates

Eligibility for the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

You are eligible for this program if you:

  • have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer
  • are eligible for Medicare
  • have not made a claim under this program in the past two years, and
  • are a permanent resident of Australia

Residency requirements for the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

To meet residency requirements, you must be an Australian resident living in Australia as an Australian citizen.

Reimbursement amount for the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

A reimbursement of up to $400 for each new or replacement external breast prosthesis can be claimed, depending on the cost of the prosthesis. This limit applies for each prosthesis, for each breast.

For example:

  • if you purchased a single prosthesis for $130, your reimbursement is $130†.
  • if you had a bilateral mastectomy and purchased two prostheses for $800, your reimbursement is $800†.
  • if you had a bilateral mastectomy and purchased two prostheses for $1,000, your reimbursement is $800†.

† Subject to other refunds or financial assistance paid to you.

The reimbursement is paid into the bank account you name on the claim form. A payment statement will be sent to you for tax purposes.

Reimbursement amount if you received other refunds or financial assistance

Your reimbursement will be reduced if you received a refund for your prostheses from other sources, such as your private health fund.

You can still claim the reimbursement if the amount you received from other sources was less than the full purchase price of the prostheses, and less than the reimbursement limit, $400 for each breast.

For example, if you buy a prostheses for $500 and get a $200 refund from your private health fund, your reimbursement from us will be $200.

Time limits under the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

You can claim a reimbursement for new or replacement external breast prostheses purchased after 1 July 2008. No timeframes apply on when the mastectomy was performed.

There must be a two-year period between the purchase dates of your external breast prostheses, before another claim can be made.

Other benefits while receiving the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

If you are eligible for the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program, you may be entitled to other payments and benefits, such as:

Claiming

Once you have read about eligibility the next steps are:

  1. complete the claim form
  2. provide supporting documentation
  3. submit your claim
  4. we will assess your claim and let you know the outcome

Claim

Managing your payment

Exclusions under the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program

The program does not cover other items such as bras, mastectomy swimwear or internal prostheses.

Resources

Other information sources

For more information and support you can also visit: