Practice Billing
Consultation Fees
Our reception staff are able to provide costs for initial and follow up consultations at the time of making your appointment. We ask that all consultation fees be paid on the day of your appointment. The fees can be paid by cash or credit card (excluding American Express). A current referral from your GP or another specialist is required for you to be able to claim a rebate through Medicare.
Surgical Fees
Unfortunately, until you have had a consultation, we are unable to provide you with a quote for any surgical procedures.
At no time will our reception staff be able to determine what operation you will require and are therefore unable to provide you with a quote prior to any consultation.
Once the decision has been made to proceed with surgery, we are then able to provide you with a full itemised quote/estimate of fees. This will outline your surgeon’s fees based on the proposed surgery, the amount rebatable through Medicare and your Private Health Fund, and the out of pocket expense you will incur for surgery. If these are unclear or further explanation is required please contact our friendly staff.
We will also provide you with the contact details for the Assistant and the Anaesthetist, for you to make enquiries with in regards to their fees. This will enable you to be fully prepared for the expenses that will be incurred for the proposed surgery.
Dr Sterling’s Fees
These depend on the type of operation you will be having done. Item numbers which Medicare use allow us to calculate costs. You will be given a full quote by Dr Sterling’s staff prior to surgery. If these are unclear or further explanation is required, please call our friendly staff.
The Assistant
The Assistant is an essential part of any operation. Their fees are usually 20% of the Surgeon's fee. Please note that Assistant fees are made in accordance with the instructions from the individual Assistant and are not under the control of Dr Sterling.
The Anaesthetist
The Anaesthetist’s fees depends on a number of factors. We recommend that you obtain a separate quote from the specific Anaesthetist outlined in advance of your operation. Please note that Anaesthetist fees are made in accordance with the instructions from the individual Anaesthetist and are not under the control of Dr Greg Sterling.
The Hospital
This is charged according to the number of days you are in hospital. It is calculated from midnight to midnight. A private hospital bed costs in the vicinity of $500-600 per day, depending on the hospital and the type of room. We recommend that the patient contact their Private Health Insurer for all information about any out of pocket expenses or excesses that relate to their upcoming surgery.
The Operating Theatre
The cost of this varies according to the complexity of your operation and how long it takes.
Prostheses and implants
In orthopaedics, many operations use prostheses and implants, such as hip and knee replacements and plates and screws.
Other costs
These may include medications, blood tests, x-rays and physiotherapy. Your doctor may ask another specialist to see you, especially if there are complications or health concerns. If you need to go to Intensive Care, there will be extra costs.
Can I get a quote?
Dr Sterling’s staff will provide you with an estimate of the proposed fee. In most cases it will be accurate but it may vary if something different or extra needs to be done at the time of surgery. The anaesthetist can also give you an estimate if you contact them and give them the item number or numbers.
What out-of-Pocket expenses should I expect?
If I have private insurance
There will be a gap between the fees that the surgeon, assistant and anaesthetist charge and the Medicare rebate. Some of this difference is covered by your private health insurance. Your insurance will cover the hospital bed, theatre fees, prostheses and implants, and may also cover some or all of the other costs.
If I do not have private insurance
Medicare will pay some of the fees that the surgeon, assistant and anaesthetist charge but there will be a gap to pay. You will have to pay the full cost of the hospital bed, theatre fee, prostheses and implants, and other costs.
How will I be charged and how should I pay?
The bills will come from different sources at different times:
- Booking fee
The policy of this practice is to charge you a booking fee. This varies from procedure to procedure, and need to be paid at the time of booking your operation, in order to put your name on the operation list. Of course, the booking fee will be deducted from the surgeon’s fee. - Surgeon fee
You will receive an itemised receipt soon after the operation and this should be lodged with Medicare and your private health insurance for a rebate. If the bill is sent to you, you will pay the bill to the doctor and then to take the invoice to Medicare to get the Medicare rebate back. If you have private insurance, you then take the invoice to the health fund to obtain a further rebate. - Assistant and Anaesthetist’s fee
This will also be issued soon after the operation. This should be dealt with similarly to the surgeon’s bill. - Hospital fee
If you have an excess on your private health insurance policy, you will be required to pay this on admission. If you do not have private health insurance, you will be required to pay part or all of the anticipated hospital costs on admission. The remainder will have to be paid when you are discharged.
A trusted orthopaedic surgeon in Brisbane
Take the first step towards your treatment and book your initial appointment with our orthopaedic surgery team.
Prefer the phone? 1300 478 375
