An Explanation of Fees

The standard fees charged by our rooms are below the Australian Medical Association recommended fee schedule. However, in most instances there will still be a ‘gap’ between our consulting and procedural fee and what is covered by Medicare and your health insurance fund.

If this could pose a problem for you, it is important that you ask about this gap. Our staff are fully informed about charges and rebates and will be able to help you navigate through what can be a complex process. These fee explanations can cover:

Consulting Fee

Surgical Fee

Treatment Estimates

If you require more information, please do not hesitate to call the practice during office hours.

Private Patients

If you choose to be treated as a private patient, you will be referred to private Specialists and treated at hospitals at which these Specialists are affiliated or hold rights as a visiting medical officer (VMO). After discharge from hospital, there will be follow-up visits in their private rooms.

Types of Private Patients

The Bondi Junction Skin Cancer Clinic caters for a range of Private patients, including: Private Health Insured, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), WorkCover, Self Insured (Uninsured), Self Insured, and Overseas Patients.

Private Health Insurance allows you and your family to access the right health services at the right time. You have control of your health care and can choose the provider, facility and timing of your treatment. With the security and protection of private health insurance, you have access to an extensive range of private hospitals and can rest assured that your health is in good hands.

Depending on your level of cover, some health funds also require you to pay an excess. We are not responsible for these costs but our staff will do their utmost to guide you to better understanding.

Our staff can also help with your claim for benefits, but we remind you that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company.

Please keep in mind that you are responsible for your total obligation should your insurance benefits result in less coverage than anticipated.

Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with the AMA fee schedule.

You should be aware that different insurance companies vary greatly in the types of coverage available. Also, some companies take care of claims promptly while others delay payment for several months.

Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)

The Australian Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides support to current and former serving members and their families through a range of benefits (including ongoing or one off payments). For further understanding on how you can apply these benefits to our service and the scope of cover please refer to: http://www.dva.gov.au/benefits-and-payments.

Self Insured (Uninsured)

Patients can choose private admission even if they do not have private health insurance. Self-funded patients will be liable to pay the following:

The gap between the Medicare benefit and any Specialist’s charges.

The gap for Diagnostic services (medical imaging and laboratory), however some of these services may be bulk billed to Medicare, that is no ‘gap’.

Overseas Patients

Non Reciprocal Health Care Agreement - If you are an overseas patient from a country where there is no Reciprocal Health Care Agreement, you are not eligible for Medicare and you are responsible for payment of all fees and services. Non-Medicare patients are billed for inpatient and outpatient services regardless if they choose public or private admission.

Reciprocal Health Care Agreement - If you are a visitor from a country where Australia does have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA), you may be eligible for treatment that is deemed immediately necessary for any health problem or injury whilst in Australia. RHCA does not cover pre-arranged or elective treatment. Overseas patients who are covered by the RHCA will not be covered if they choose private admission.

Please contact us for more information.

Payment

Our reception staff will be happy to advise you of the consultation fee upon booking an appointment over the telephone. Payment on the day of consultation is much appreciated.