Southern Cross release top claims for each age group

Southern Cross release top claims for each age group

24 June 2016, 4:03PM
Southern Cross Healthcare Group

Southern Cross Health Society has released the top five surgical claims by paid total for men and women in each age bracket.

In 2015 Southern Cross paid $842m in claims. While elective surgery made up only a small percentage of the total claims, surgeries accounted for 73% of total costs.

Head of Provider Networks Geoff Searle says the data highlighted the fact that Kiwis go under the knife throughout their lives.

“Younger members tend to claim for speech and hearing procedures like tonsillectomies and adenoids. Men under 35 claimed for things like hernia injuries and tooth extractions, while in the same age group females made claims that affect fertility such as endometriosis surgery, ovarian cysts and the removal of abdominal lesions.

“There’s a tendency for people to think health insurance is something they’ll need in their later years, but this data shows that Kiwis undergo procedures that affect quality of life, throughout their lives,” says Searle. 

Top 5 procedures by paid total – 2015.

All ages
Men Women
Hip Replacement Hip Replacement
Knee Replacement Hysterectomy
Excision Skin Lesion Knee Replacement
Colonoscopy Colonoscopy
Coronary Angioplasty Cataract

0 – 20
Men Women
Tonsillectomy Removal of Teeth
Removal of Teeth Tonsillectomy
Bilateral Ear Procedure Endometriosis Surgery
Adenoidectomy Bilateral Ear Procedure
Circumcision Adenoidectomy


21 - 35
 
Men Women
Removal of Teeth Endometriosis Surgery
Septoplasty Removal of Teeth
Hernia Ovarian Cystectomy
Colonoscopy Freeing of Abdominal Adhesions
Excision Skin Lesion Dislocation vs Arthroscopy
 
 
 
 






 
36 – 49
Men Women
Colonoscopy Hysterectomy
Hernia Endometriosis Surgery
Excision Skin Lesion Hysteroscopy
Spinal Fusion Colonoscopy
Hip Replacement Breast Reconstruction

50 – 64
Men Women
Hip Replacement Hip Replacement
Knee Replacement Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy Knee Replacement
Coronary Angioplasty Hysterectomy
Excision Skin Lesion Excision Skin Lesion

65 +
Men Women
Knee Replacement Knee Replacement
Hip Replacement Cataract
Cataract extraction Hip Replacement
Excision Skin Lesion Excision Skin Lesion
Coronary Angioplasty Colonoscopy

Southern Cross have released this information to help Kiwis become better informed about the realities of healthcare.

For example most people also wouldn’t be aware that these procedures can be quite costly to treat.
Endometriosis surgery can cost anywhere between $4,400 - $18,800, and a small procedure such as a tonsillectomy can cost between $3,200 and $4,300. Larger procedures such as hip and knee replacements can cost between $19,600 - $29,100.

“No one is immune from developing a health condition – regardless of age,” says Searle.
“We want Kiwis to be informed when it comes to the procedures they’re likely to need. The last thing anyone would want is to need treatment and be unable to access or afford it.”

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