Understanding the costs of your care is an important part of preparing for your appointment or surgery. Dr Darren Paterson’s team aims to provide clear, upfront information so you can make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses.
Consultation Fees
Initial consultation: $360 (Including Telehealth)
- Covers a comprehensive review of your medical history, physical examination, and discussion of treatment options.
- Payment is required on the day of your appointment however, all Tamworth and Central Coast appointments are paid in advance
- You will receive a Medicare rebate if you have a current GP or specialist referral.
Follow-up consultations: $170
- Involve a review of your progress, test results, or post-operative recovery.
- Payment is also required on the day, with a Medicare rebate available if you have a valid referral.
Surgery fees
Surgical fees are made up of several components:
- Surgeon’s fee – Covers the surgical procedure, post-operative care, and follow-up visits as specified in your quote.
- Anaesthetist’s fee – Your anaesthetist will bill you directly. Depending on your health fund and Medicare rebate, you may have an out-of-pocket cost.
- Hospital fees – These are billed by the hospital and may include operating theatre costs, accommodation, nursing care, and rehabilitation services.
- Implant costs – The cost of prosthetic devices or implants is usually covered by your private health insurer if you have the appropriate level of hospital cover.
Private health insurance
If you have private hospital cover, part or all of your surgery and hospital costs may be covered, depending on your policy. It is important to:
- Check your level of cover
- Confirm whether your procedure is included
- Ask about any excess or co-payments you may need to pay
Self-funded (no private health insurance) patients
If you do not have private health insurance, you may choose to self-fund your surgery. Our team can provide a detailed quote outlining Dr Paterson’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee, hospital charges, and any other relevant costs so you can make an informed decision.
Medicare rebates
Medicare provides a rebate for consultations and some surgical procedures when you have a valid referral. The rebate amount will not cover the full fee, so there is usually an out-of-pocket expense (also known as a gap).
Quotes and payment
- You will receive a written quote for your surgical procedure before you proceed.
- This quote will outline all known fees and any potential out-of-pocket expenses.
- Payment methods include EFTPOS, credit card, and direct bank transfer.
- All surgical accounts must be settled before your surgery date.
Anaesthetist billing
Your anaesthetist will bill you directly for their services. The out-of-pocket amount will vary depending on your health fund, Medicare rebate, and the anaesthetist’s billing policy. You will be able to discuss this with your anaesthetist prior to surgery.
Financial questions
If you have any questions about your fees, billing, or payment options, please contact Heather on (02) 8599 9707 0413 759 911. Heather can explain the process and help you navigate your health fund and Medicare entitlements.