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.
