Practice information

Consultation and Surgical Fees

My fee structure differs from the Medical Benefit Schedule (MBS) because MBS rebates have not kept pace with the costs of running a quality medical practice. The graph below shows why a gap (out of pocket cost) exists.

The Schedule Fee was introduced by the Federal Government with Medicare in 1973 and has increased annually, rarely by more than 1%. In the year 2000 it increased by 1.2%. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) annually sets a scale of fees that can be used as a guide by medical practitioners. This scale of fees is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Average Weekly Earnings (AWE), but does not take into account rises in indemnity insurance.

My fees are based on the AMA fees taking into consideration the location of my practice. The graph below also highlights why the difference between my fees and the reimbursement from Medicare and your Private Health Fund has widened, especially over the past 2 years.

The cost of running a medical practice increases by a lot more than 1% per year. Furthermore, a recent study of practice costs across Australia estimated that it costs around $130,000 (before indemnity insurance) to run a gynaecological practice.

I am not prepared to reduce the duration of consultations to increase their number, and in so doing compromise their quality.

Hopefully this clarifies the issue of fees, but if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to discuss them with my Secretary, Adrienne, or myself.

Anaesthetic Fees

A separate fee will be charged for your anaesthetic. This will vary depending on the complexity and duration of the anaesthetic services provided.

You may be able to claim a rebate from Medicare for your anaesthetic services. If you have private health insurance you will be able to claim a further rebate for part of this fee.

There is a gap amount between the anaesthetic fee and any rebates paid by Medicare and Private Health Funds. The gap has arisen because Medicare rebates for anaesthesia in particular have not been indexed to the real costs of running a medical practice for many years.

Your account will be calculated up to a rate regarded by the Australian Society of Anaesthetists as fair and reasonable. There may be a significant difference between fees charged and the medical rebate because of the grossly inadequate medical rebates for anaesthetic services.

In order to reduce out of pocket expenses, the fee will be discounted in most cases, so that out of pocket expenses will be between $50 and $400 depending on the complexity and duration of the anaesthesia. If you have any concerns please contact The Central Anaesthetic Group - telephone: 9416 1584.

Your account - an explanation

It is requested that you pay the “out of pocket” cost prior to your operation. This is your own expense and not rebatable.

Following your operation you will receive a fully itemized account together with a receipt for the amount you have paid prior to surgery.

The balance of the account following your surgery is fully rebatable by Medicare and your private health fund.

Although our current accounting software does not allow our receipt to show the balance outstanding following your prepayment, it is very easy to calculate (see example below):

Example:
Fee for surgery:	$300.00
Prepayment requested:	-152.00 (“out of pocket” cost)
Balance outstanding:	$148.00 (this amount fully rebatable by Medicare & private health fund).

Deduct the amount shown on the receipt for your prepayment from the total fee charged for surgery on the invoice. The result is the balance owing. This amount is fully rebatable from Medicare and your private health fund.

Why Gaps Exist?

The graph below shows the real reason for gaps

The MBS rebates set by the Government have not kept pace with the costs of running a quality medical practice.