Fees & Payment Options

We understand that navigating your way through the health system in terms of out-of-pocket costs can be a challenge, even when you have private health insurance.

Our highly experienced administration team are able to assist you and answer any questions you may have.

We are committed to charging a fair and reasonable fee, having regard to our practice costs and services to patients, whilst also considering the individual circumstances of our patients.

The costs of running a specialist medical practice include staff wages, rent, medical supplies and equipment, IT services and infrastructure, continuing professional development, and insurance.

For more information, see the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) guide for patients on how the health care system funds medical care.

You will be able to claim a Medicare rebate for some of the cost of your appointment. Please note that Medicare will not fully cover the cost of your appointment.

Private health insurance will not provide a rebate for the cost of your appointment.

On ringing for your appointment, you will be advised of your consultation fees.

The total cost of having surgery in a private hospital is a combination of fees from multiple providers. Our fee is known as the surgeon’s fee. This is the only fee which we set. There will also be fees for your anaesthetist, the hospital, any specific equipment required during surgery, tests and X-rays, and some medications.

Often there will be a portion of your fees for surgery which will not be covered by Medicare and your private health insurance. This difference is known as the ‘gap’ or ‘out of pocket cost’.

Your doctor’s personal secretary will compile an estimation for the anticipated fees for your surgeon. The estimation will include the estimated gap. Please note that this quote is an estimate only. On occasion the final fee may differ from the estimate if unforeseen complexities arise during your surgery.

Once you have reviewed this quote, you will be asked to sign an informed financial consent form confirming that you understand the anticipated costs for your surgery. If you have any concerns about your quote, it is important that you discuss this with us prior to your procedure.

Please note that this quote does not include the fees which will be charged by your anaesthetist or the hospital. You will be given their contact details to discuss their fees with them directly.

Tests and X-rays
If your doctor refers you for tests or X-rays, there may be an out of pocket cost associated with these services. Please discuss the fee with the company providing the service before having the test done.

For most tests, you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate for some or all of the cost of the test. Private health insurance will not provide a rebate for the cost of tests performed as an outpatient. Depending on your level of cover, Medicare and private health insurance will usually cover the cost of most tests performed while you are an inpatient in a hospital.

Medications
If your doctor prescribes you a medication, there will be an out of pocket cost for filling the prescription. This includes medications prescribed on discharge from hospital. Please discuss the cost with your pharmacist before filling the prescription. If you decide not to take a medication or to stop taking a medication, please inform your doctor.

Depending on your private health insurance policy, you may be able to claim a rebate on the out of pocket costs for some outpatient medications.
Depending on your level of cover, the PBS and private health insurance will usually cover the cost of most medications while you are an inpatient in a hospital.

Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance will only pay a rebate for medical costs incurred while you are an inpatient in a hospital including as a day surgery patient. The amount which your private health insurer will pay towards the cost of your medical care will depend on which private health insurance company you are with, your level of cover, exclusions and waiting periods.

We recommend you contact your private health insurer before your treatment to discuss what costs they will cover.

I do not have health insurance
If you do not have private health insurance, you can still choose to be treated in a private hospital, by self-funding your medical care. If you choose to self-fund your care, you will not be eligible for any rebate of your hospital fees. You may be eligible for a Medicare rebate for some of your surgeon’s fees and anaesthetist’s fees. Your doctor’s secretary will compile an estimation for the anticipated fees for your surgeon. We will contact on your behalf, the hospital and anaesthetist to give them the item numbers estimated for surgery. They will contact you directly and this may take several days to arrange an estimation when you are self-funding your care.

Payment options for consultations
We ask you to settle your account in full on the day of the consultation. We accept cash, bank cheques, and EFTPOS (Debit cards, Mastercard, VISA). We do not accept American Express cards.

For consultations and procedures in our offices, we can lodge a Medicare claim for you online, so that the Medicare rebate is automatically sent to your nominated bank account or mailed to you by cheque.

Payment options for surgery
Payment for a surgical procedure is due five business days prior. To settle your surgical account, we accept payment by, direct deposit, bank cheque, or credit card, or in person at our Nowra office with cash or EFTPOS. We do not accept American Express cards.

Fees for your anaesthetist and the hospital are payable directly to those providers.

Third party accounts
If your account is being paid by a third party, we will require a letter from the third party stating that they will cover a particular service prior to your appointment or procedure. Without this we are unable to send the account to a third party and we will require you to settle your account on the day of your appointment.

We are not a Bulk Billing practice