RESEARCH

At the time of your initial consultation it is necessary for you to complete detailed questionnaires as part of your pre-operative evaluation.  You may also be asked to fill out other questionnaires later on to evaluate the outcome of your treatment.

Data gathered in this way assists with ongoing clinical research to evaluate and compare different treatment methods.  Your patience and co-operation in completing these questionnaires is appreciated.

SURGICAL FEES

“Your surgeon” will usually charge the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended fee for operations.  This fee may however, be discounted if payment is received within six weeks of the surgery, or if arrangements have been made with your insurance fund to bill them directly.  The amount of this discount will vary depending  on your insurance status and entitlement for an aged pension.  Veteran Affairs will be bill directly where patients have a  Veterans Affairs entitlement card. 

You may also receive separate accounts from “your surgeon’s” assistant, the anaesthetist and physiotherapist involved.  However in most cases your insurance fund will be billed directly or accounts will be bundled together in one envelope.

Different levels of Private Insurance offer different levels of cover for theatre fees, room costs and physiotherapy.  If you are unsure as to your level of cover you should discuss this directly with your insurer.  Your surgeon's secretary would be pleased to assist you if requested.

In most spinal operations an intra-operative x-ray will be performed.  The cost of will usually be covered by Medicare and your Private Insurer.

It is usual to require several visits by a Physiotherapist in hospital.  The cost of this may be covered by your insurance fund.  If you feel there may be a problem with this arrangement please discuss it with you surgeon.

Related Topics

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Last modified: July 01, 2005