Elective surgery is a term used for non-emergency surgery which is medically necessary, but which can be delayed for at least 24 hours. It is usually performed in an operating theatre or procedure room under some form of anaesthesia by a surgeon and is comprised of procedures listed in the surgical operations section of the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
The ability to have elective surgery performed quickly and with your own choice of specialist is one of the key benefits of having private hospital insurance. Without Hospital Cover, patients who need elective surgery can sometimes wait over a year in the public health system to receive the treatment they need. See the table below for the latest elective surgery waiting times in each Australian state and territory.
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