Having private health insurance with the appropriate cover gives you the option of choosing the surgeon, as well as the option to be operated on at a private hospital.
Generally the wait time for an operation is shorter in the private sector for elective surgery.
Q: I have private health insurance, can I still have my operation in the public hospital?
Yes, just express your wishes to the surgeon.
Q: Will I be seen more quickly if I have private health insurance?
Health insurance does not pay for private consultations. To obtain an earlier appointment, it is best to be seen privately but is likely to involve a gap fee. Otherwise you can wait for an appointment in the public system.