Dr O’Neill participates in the known-gap arrangement with most health funds. This means that you (the patient) may be charged a known out-of-pocket cost (up to $500 dependent on the procedure), to be paid prior to surgery and the remainder of the surgeon’s fee will be billed direct to your health fund. If your health fund does not participate in the known-gap arrangement, you may be invoiced the whole amount of the surgeon fee and will then be able to claim this from Medicare and health fund once you have been issued with a receipt.
Please check with us that your health fund is one with which we have a reciprocal arrangement.
The advice does not relate to services provided by other doctors including radiologists, physicians, anaesthetists or pathologists, nor any other costs associated with your stay, e.g. accommodation, theatre fee, pharmacy or physiotherapy. It also relates only to the doctor’s fee for inpatient services. Most patients will have some out-of-pocket expenses for appointments, but these will be detailed at the time the appointment is booked.
You should discuss these costs with your doctor or doctor’s staff and your health insurer before your procedure to be sure you understand what costs you may be liable to pay yourself. You will be liable for any costs not covered by Medicare or your health fund.
Please refer to your health fund for additional information not provided above. Dr O’Neill has no financial interest, other that the fee for service, in any products or hospital services recommended.