First published 29 September 2021. Updated 24 October 2024.
Why parents choose private ENT surgery
Knowing you have the choice to have your child's surgery done by a highly experienced surgeon in a private hospital with minimal waiting time is very reassuring for parents says Paediatric Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon A/Prof George Sim.
Certain specialties such as paediatric ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery can have significant waiting times in the public system as they are often considered non-urgent procedures. This can include having grommets inserted or having adenoids and/or tonsils removed.
We understand the stress and uncertainties parents and children go through when a child needs surgical intervention, even for a minor procedure. We aim to simplify and expedite the process so that your child will soon be on the road to good health again.
Types of ENT surgeries
ENT procedures cover all areas of the upper respiratory tract. These types of surgeries can be needed for children who experience common conditions, including:
- ear infections or otitis media requiring grommets
- obstructive sleep or snoring requiring adenoid and/or tonsil surgery
- tonsillitis requiring tonsil surgery.
How much does private ENT surgery cost?
Many parents are surprised to learn that the cost of surgery for inserting grommets or removing tonsils in a private hospital in Australia is not as expensive as other types of surgery. This is because most ENT procedures take a short time to complete. Children often go home the same day or have one overnight hospital stay.
If you have already added your child to your private hospital insurance policy, you can access private hospital care and the associated benefits – your choice of doctors, reduced wait times and choice of hospital (often your preferred hospital will be close to home).
If you haven't added your child to your private hospital insurance, or you don't have cover, you can still access private hospital services by choosing to self-fund your child's care.
Self-funding for uninsured patients is a simple process where you pay in advance from your own pocket or with the support of a payment plan provider.
Grommet surgery cost – what’s involved?
Grommet surgery involves the insertion of ventilation tubes across the eardrums. It is a simple procedure performed under general anaesthetic that can be combined with other ENT procedures.
Tonsil surgery cost – what’s involved?
Tonsil surgery, a tonsillectomy, or tonsillotomy involves removal of the tonsils – tissue on each side at the back of the throat. It is a quick procedure performed under general anaesthetic that can be combined with other ENT procedures.
Adenoid surgery cost – what’s involved?
Surgery to remove the adenoids, an adenoidectomy, includes removal of the adenoids – the lymphoid tissue at the back of the nasal passage. It is performed under general anaesthetic and can be combined with other ENT procedures.
How to find out your costs
Your child's specialist can give you an outline of their fees and our hospitals can provide you a cost estimate for the hospital component of your care. If you have private health insurance you should also contact your fund to confirm your level of cover. Costs without insurance are made as transparent as possible. Very often, surgical and anaesthetic fees do attract Medicare rebates, further reducing out of pocket costs for families.
Did you know? St John of God Murdoch Hospital offers hospital packages to patients who choose to self-fund their private hospital care across select procedures. The costs involved have been made transparent and clear to patients and their families.
Find out more
- Find a specialist who offers ENT services for children, including grommet surgery and tonsil surgery.
