External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program
The External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program provides reimbursement of up to $400 for new or replacement external breast prostheses for women who have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer.
To claim the reimbursement:
- download the External breast prostheses reimbursement claim form
- visit your local DHS Service Centre to pick up a brochure and claim form
- call 132 011 and ask for a brochure and claim form to be posted to you.
Quick links
- External breast prostheses reimbursement claim form
- Find your nearest DHS Service Centre.
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.
The program does not cover other purchases such as bras, mastectomy swimwear or internal prostheses.
To claim your reimbursement, you must:
- be a permanent resident of Australia
- be eligible for Medicare
- have had a mastectomy as a result of breast cancer.
There must be a two-year period between the purchase dates of external prostheses before another claim can be made.
You need to know
Breast prostheses reimbursement amounts
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 have purchased a single prosthesis at a cost of $130, your reimbursement amount is $130†.
- If you have had a bilateral mastectomy and have purchased two prostheses at a cost of $800, your reimbursement amount is $800†.
- If you purchased two prostheses at a cost of $1 000, your reimbursement amount is $800†.
(† The amount of your reimbursement will be reduced by any amount of refund or financial assistance received from other sources.)
First steps
Make a claim for breast prostheses reimbursement
To claim the reimbursement:
- download the External breast prostheses reimbursement claim form
- visit your local DHS Service Centre to pick up a brochure and claim form
- call 132 011 and ask for a brochure and claim form to be posted to you.
Breast prosthesis payment method
All reimbursements are made by Electronic Funds Transfer to the bank account you name on the claim form. We will send a statement to your postal address listing the amount deposited into your account. The statement can be kept for tax purposes.
Claiming reimbursement if you receive other refunds or financial assistance
The amount of your reimbursement will be reduced by any amount already received from other sources, such as a refund from a private health fund.
The amount you receive from these sources must be less than the full purchase price of the prostheses and less than the reimbursement limit.
For example, if you buy a prosthesis for $500 and receive a refund of $200 from your private health fund, your reimbursement will be $200.
If you currently receive financial assistance from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) you should make your claim through DVA.
Resources
More information about the External Breast Prostheses Reimbursement Program
Visit your nearest DHS Service Centre or call 132 011.
For more information and support you can also visit:
- the Breast Cancer Network Australia website
- the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre website
- the National Breast Cancer Foundation website
- the Cancer Council website