Forum Discussion

ara's avatar
ara
Member
5 years ago

Out of pocket in the private

Hi lovely ladies,

I am wondering if you have any insight. I had a mastectomy last week and of course got charges from my surgeon and surgical nurse assistant (first time I have heard one). I am wondering if you dont mind me asking how much out of pocket you were charged?
  • I had to pay for the anaesthetist (which is bizarre, surgery without?) but almost everything else was covered by my private health insurance. I pay for check ups but now only once a year for both oncologist and surgeon and I do get part of the fee back. In the tumult of diagnosis and surgery it’s easy to forget to ask about costs but it’s perfectly OK to do so. Best wishes. 
  • All I paid was around $300 gap for the anaesthetist. My surgeon hasn’t charged me a cent so far and I had two surgeries and all my follow up appointments. 
  • I 'negotiated' with my surgeon ahead of time.  Most of them do if you are using a private hospital.  Also, your health insurance would list the surgeons who are signed up to the no gap fees.
    The medication costs were high as these are now all 'outsourced' - good lurk for the hospitals.
    My heaviest bill was the anesthetist (which had to be paid ahead of time) but as I went back for 2 additional surgeries they kindly did not charge fees after the 1st operation.
    When I had knee surgery I did have to pay something for his assistant surgeon but cannot remember how much.
    I'd suggest speak to him/her at your next appointment and he/she may negotiate.
    Good luck.