Surgical Fees & Charges as a Private Patient

Having surgery generates a number of costs for which patients may receive an account, and these include fees generated by:

The Hospital

• This is established by each individual hospital and therefore may differ from other hospitals.
• The Hospital’s account may consist of a theatre fee, a fee for implants (which can include grommets), a bed fee, and a fee for discharge medications.
• If a parent stays with their child overnight after surgery, then the Hospital may also raise a fee for this. Please clarify this with the Hospital where your child’s surgery is scheduled.
• You should check your Private Health Insurance cover to see whether the above items are included in your particular policy.
• If you have an excess to pay as part of your Private Health Insurance policy, this is usually paid to the Hospital on admission.
• If you do not have Private Health Insurance but choose to proceed as a self-funding patient, a quote will be provided for these fees.

The Surgeon

• All operations have codes called Item Numbers. These will be provided to you before the operation so you can check with your Private Health Insurance provider to ensure that these items are covered by your particular policy.
• Payments made by Private Health Insurers have not kept up with the cost of providing medical care, and the payment made by your Private Health Insurer is unlikely to completely cover Dr Wabnitz’s fee. As such a gap payment is likely to be charged - you will be made aware of this gap payment at the time of booking surgery, and this is payable prior to surgery.
• If you do not have Private Health Insurance but choose to proceed as a self-funding patient, a quote will be provided for this fee.

The Anaesthetist

• The Anaesthetist charges a separate fee and this may also involve a gap payment.
• As individual anaesthetists set their own fees, it is best to phone the rooms of the Anaesthetist scheduled to care for your child to obtain details as to whether a gap payment is applicable and when this fee is payable. The administrative staff in Dr Wabnitz’s rooms can guide you in this.
• If you do not have Private Health Insurance but choose to proceed as a self-funding patient, a quote will be provided for this fee.

Pathology Tests

• A fee may be generated if pathology tests are ordered during the admission to hospital.
• These can include blood tests, specimens or swabs sent to check for infective organisms, or pathology specimens sent to be examined under a microscope.
• If you are a self-funding patient, the Pathology Fees are usually not included in the quote you receive before the operation as it can be difficult to predict if they will be required. As such these costs will need to be paid in addition to the quote you have received.