What are Prostheses?
Prostheses are surgical implants such as pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac stents, joint replacements, intraocular lenses and other devices. They are used in surgery to replace or augment a part of the body. From 31 October 2005, the Government has issued a new Prostheses List, which will be updated twice a year. You and your doctor will be able to choose from a selection of prostheses that will be fully covered by HCF for every Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS) procedure, provided it is an in-hospital service. 98.8% of items on the Prostheses List will be fully covered by HCF. A limited number of prostheses will attract a ‘gap’, which you may be required to pay. The gap amount is the difference between the prostheses chosen by you and your doctor and the no-gap alternative. Gap payments apply only where there is a choice of other effective clinically similar products available at no-gap. Before surgery 1. Check that your HCF product covers you. 2. If your surgery requires a prosthesis
