Medicare & Insurance

What about your fees?

The surgeons’ fees are guided by the Australian Medical Association recommended fee. This means that in most instances there will be a part of your surgical fee which will not be covered by Medicare and your health fund. It is important that you ask about this gap. Our staff are fully informed with changes and rebates and will be able to help you.

What are your acceptable means of payment?

Fees will be reviewed with you at the consultation visit. Payment during the consultation is appreciated. If you do not have private health insurance and require surgery, payment is required prior to your scheduled date of surgery.

Bank checks, personal checks, cash or credit cards (MasterCard, VISA) are acceptable means of payment. We do not accept American express cards.

Do I need to have private health insurance?

Private Health insurance allows you and your family to access the right health services at the right time. You have control of your health care and can choose the provider, facility and timing of your treatment. With the security and protection of private health insurance, you have access to an extensive range of private hospitals and can rest assured that your health is in good hands.

What are the Medicare rules about referrals to specialists?

If you want Medicare to help to pay for specialist medical services at the referred rate, it is essential to discuss your condition and possible referral with your family doctor before you see the specialist. Please note that the backdating of referrals is illegal and can result in heavy fines and prison sentences. If you have any questions about seeing medical specialists or about the Medicare benefits system, please ask your family doctor or contact Medicare on 13 2011.

Non - Insured Patients:

Patients who do not have private health insurance can still elect to have their surgery performed in the private hospital. They will need to cover all the hospital and surgical costs prior to hospital admission.

Alternatively, non-insured patients can be placed on their surgeons Prince of Wales Public Hospital waiting list. There is generally a 6-12 month wait for non-urgent surgery. The Prince of Wales Public Hospital is teaching hospital and your surgery may be performed by the training registrar under the supervision of your treating orthopaedic surgeon.