Frequently asked questions.

Questions & answers

• Can I request an estimate of fees?

  Absolutely. Patients whose fees are greater than the rebates from Health Fund and Medicare will be asked to pay a “gap” payment. These out-of-pocket expenses usually vary with the length of the operation. As a result, it is often difficult for anaesthetists to accurately predict the out-of-pocket expenses in advance.

  Anaesthetic Services’ anaesthetists feel that patients should be provided with an estimate of fees before their operation, and patients will usually receive a letter or a telephone call prior to their surgery in order to clarify any additional expenses. If you are booked for surgery with an Anaesthetist of Anaesthetic Services and have not been informed of your likely out-of-pocket expenses, please contact our rooms if you wish for a fee estimate in advance. Please note that Surgeons frequently use many anaesthetists, and the independent nature of practice means that anaesthetist’s fees will likely vary between operating lists.

• How are anaesthetic fees calculated?

  When an anaesthetist provides a service to a patient, they are not doing this in the role of an employee of the hospital or the surgeon. The fees paid to an anaesthetist are paid by the patient, usually in conjunction with their insurance provider.

  Each anaesthetist is an independent practitioner, and calculates their own fees independently of other anaesthetists, which is the reason why patients may receive different charges for different operations, or for the same operation by different anaesthetists.

  The Australian Medical Association (AMA) and Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) prepare a list of medical services and fees for private patient anaesthesia services, and index this each year. Most Anaesthetists base their charges on this indexed list of services.

  Fees for anaesthetic interventions vary depending on many different factors, including the time and nature of the pre-anaesthetic assessment, the complexity of the operation, and the time that the operation takes. Additional fees may apply for patients who are more complex, more frail, or for whom the operation is performed as an emergency or “out of hours”.

  The anaesthetist is present during the entire operation, and their role is not constrained to the start and end of the procedure. They make decisions while the patient is anaesthetized in order to keep the patient safe at all times.

• Payment of Anaesthetic Fees

  Payment can be made by BPAY, credit card, or cheque.

• What account will you receive for your anaesthetic?

  The fee for your anaesthetic is determined by each individual anaesthetist in Anaesthetic Services. Each anaesthetist has individual fees.

  There are a number of different factors which determine your account, these include

  • Whether you have private hospital insurance or not
  • Whether your insurer allows anaesthetists to charge “co-payments”
  • How long your operation takes
  • The type of operation you are having
  • Whether or not your operation is classified as cosmetic
  • Whether your operation is covered by Medicare (your surgeon will advise you if it is NOT)

  A co-payment is a fee in addition to the health fund and Medicare payment. This is an out of pocket expense to you. Some health funds allow co-payments, some don’t- please check with your health fund.

  Because of all these varying factors there are a number of different accounts that you may receive:

  Simplified Billing
  If your anaesthetist chooses to send your account directly through to your private health fund (which includes the Medicare rebate and does not include a co-payment) you will not receive an account from us. The relevant bodies will pay the anaesthetist directly and they will advise you once the account has been paid

  In addition, some patients are covered by agencies who will have their accounts paid for (in full) and will not incur any “out of pocket” expense. These include:

  • Department of Veteran Affairs
  • Work cover (with an approved claim)
  • Third Party Insurance (with an approved claim)

  Account for co-payment
  Your “out of pocket expense”- you need to pay this money. This can’t be claimed. The rest of your account is sent directly to your health insurer.

  Account for total fee
  These accounts can be claimed through Medicare and your private health fund (if applicable). Your Medicare office will be able to provide you with the appropriate form to complete.

  Your cheque(s) will be sent directly to you, made payable to your anaesthetist. You will need to forward them to our office along with any out-of-pocket expense.

  Account for balance
  You have paid your “out of pocket expense” prior to your anaesthetic. You have a balance that is payable by Medicare and your private health insurer (if you have one).

  Your Medicare office will be able to provide you with the appropriate form to complete. Your cheque(s) will be sent to you directly and will be made payable to your anaesthetist. You will need to forward them to our office to settle the balance of your account.

  Account already paid OR Account paid prior to surgery
  You will be sent your paid itemised statement after your surgery for you to claim your rebates. These accounts should be taken to Medicare and your private health fund (if applicable). Your Medicare office will be able to provide you with the appropriate form to complete.