DR CHEW-LIN YIP | UROLOGIST

Peel Urology Group is a private practice and aims to explain the cost of care before it is provided. Patients are encouraged to ask the rooms about any fee or account.

Consultations are charged privately and are not bulk billed (with the exception of DVA). A Medicare rebate applies to part of the fee when Medicare requirements are met; the difference is the patient’s out-of-pocket amount, or gap.

Accounts are payable on the day by EFTPOS or credit card. Where possible, the Medicare rebate is claimed electronically and paid to the nominated bank account.

Initial and review consultation fees differ. The rooms will provide both amounts when booking. A current referral is required by the practice and for a Medicare specialist rebate. If there is any uncertainty about a referral, contact the rooms before attending.

If a procedure or operation is recommended, the patient receives a written estimate before booking. This is informed financial consent.

The estimate sets out:

• Dr Yip’s fee and the applicable Medicare item numbers

• estimated Medicare and health-fund contributions, where relevant

• the expected out-of-pocket amount for Dr Yip’s account

A gap may apply to private procedures. The amount depends on the procedure, insurance cover and any applicable special arrangement, so an individual estimate is prepared rather than publishing a price list.

For a private procedure, separate accounts may be issued by:

• Dr Yip, for the surgery

• the anaesthetist, who provides a separate estimate

• a surgical assistant, where required

• the hospital, for theatre and accommodation, usually billed to the health fund and subject to any excess

These providers set their own fees. The rooms will explain which separate estimates should be obtained before the procedure is booked.

Patients with private hospital cover should contact their fund before a procedure and ask:

• whether the Medicare item numbers on the estimate are covered

• what excess or co-payment applies

• whether a waiting period applies

• whether the hospital has an agreement with the fund

Quote the item numbers from the estimate. Medicare and health-fund contributions are estimates and final benefits depend on eligibility and the fund’s assessment.

Self-funded surgery may be arranged. The rooms can explain Dr Yip’s estimate and which separate hospital, anaesthetist and assistant estimates are required before the patient commits.

Patients who are not eligible for Medicare, including overseas visitors, may also be seen. No Medicare rebate is payable and the full consultation fee applies. The rooms will provide an estimate before the appointment.

Phone the rooms on (08) 9520 5310. It is better to clarify fees before care is provided than to be surprised afterwards.