WHAT ARE THE COSTS INVOLVED IN UNDERGOING SHOULDER OR ELBOW SURGERY?
Surgeon’s Fee
Professor Bokor’s fees are higher than the schedule of fees. Fees are determined on the basis of the surgeon’s experience, professional skill, the time involved, the nature of the procedure and the follow-up care required. These fees are partially rebated by Medicare and your Health Fund and there is out of pocket costs. An out of pocket cost is the difference between the amount a doctor charges for a medical service and what Medicare and any private health insurer pays. Out of pocket costs are also called gap or patient payments.
Hospital Fees
Patients that are admitted to a Private Hospital are responsible for the hospital fees. Your Private Health Fund, depending on your level of cover, may or may not cover these fees. We recommend you contact your Health Fund to confirm that they will cover your stay in the hospital and to ascertain if you have an excess that is to be paid upon admission.
Should you not be in a Health Fund and are self-funding your surgery, the relevant Hospital can provide an estimate of fee’s directly. They will usually require self-funded patients to pre-pay prior to your surgery.
Other costs
(These costs are rendered separately and are NOT included in Professor Bokor’s Fees)
Surgical Assistant: The surgical assistant’s name and contact details are provided once a surgery date has been booked.
Anaesthesist: The anaesthetist’s name and contact details are provided once a surgery date has been booked.
Physiotherapy: Patients will have a post-operative consultation in Hospital with the Hospital Physiotherapists. Most procedures will also require post-operative rehabilitation (with your physio of choice) in the 1-6 Months following surgery.
Hospital Extras: Where applicable costs may be incurred for braces, implants, prosthetics, arthroscopic disposable equipment, pathology, radiology, and pharmacy.
Other: Preoperative consultations with Specialist’s (if required, this is discussed at the time of booking surgery), Blood Tests, ECG.
WHY IS THERE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE INVOLVED IN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY?
Unfortunately, the full costs involved in providing high quality medical care and surgery are not adequately covered by Medicare.
The Australian Medical Association has stated that “the indexation of Medicare rebates has not kept pace with the rising costs of providing care, pushing more of the health care cost onto doctors and their patients” (2013)1. As orthopaedic surgery involves a high level of expertise and skill in order to achieve long-term positive outcomes, there are greater out of pocket expenses.
Medipay MEDICAL PAYMENT PLANS
We understand that often you may not have the money upfront to cover surgery when you need it. We recommend MediPay, who provide easy payment plans, that enables you to have the surgery you need at the time you need it. You can then pay for your surgery over a time period that suits your budget.
Payment plans from $2,000 up to $30,000 are available.
Easy online application
Decision in 60 minutes or less
Funds available same day
MediPay has no hidden costs.
Or call MediPay customer care: 1800 810 950
