Fees for Services
Introduction
This letter is designed to explain my fee structure and why it differs from the Schedule Fee recommended by the Government. I have felt this necessary after recent large increases in indemnity premiums.
The Schedule Fee was introduced by the Federal Government as Medicare in 1973 and has increased annually by amounts usually less than one percent. In 2000 the Schedule Fee increased by 1.2 percent. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has also set a scale of fees to be used as a guide for medical practitioners around Australia. This scale rises with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually but does not account for large rises in items such as indemnity insurance. My fees are based on the AMA fees allowing for the fact that my practice is based in central Sydney. There has been a significant divergence between the two sets of fees over the years, and this results in a gap between my fee and the fee which is reimbursed by the government or private health funds.
Not unexpectedly, the cost of running a medical practice rises by a lot more that one percent per year. A recent study of practice costs across Australia estimated that it costs around $130,000 (before insurance) to run a gynaecological practice. Unfortunately NSW is now one of the most litigious states in the world and my major cost is now medical insurance, a cost which has been rising alarmingly over the last few years. I believe the rises will continue and that further calls will be required.
I am not prepared to decrease my consultation times and have therefore had to increase my fees. I hope this helps clarify the issue of fees for you - if there are any problems with your account I would be happy to discuss them with you.
Dr Geoffrey D Reid
Consultation Types
|
New Consultation
|
Where a patient is seen for the first time, or where an existing patient returns with a new problem or referral.
|
|
Review Consultation
|
Where a patient attends for review of an existing problem.
|
|
Post-Operative Consultation
|
The first review visit following surgery.
|
|
Post-Operative NNAC*
|
The first review visit following surgery where a further management plan is discussed.
|
|
New Telephone Consultation
|
Where a patient's problem is discussed by telephone and a management plan constructed.
|
|
Review Telephone Consultation
|
Where an existing problem is reviewed by telephone.
|
Consultation Fees
|
TYPE OF CONSULTATION
|
DURATION
|
FEE
|
REBATE
|
|
New Consultation
|
30 mins
|
$250.00
|
$70.00
|
|
Review Consultation
|
15 mins
|
$140.00
|
$35.15
|
|
Fertility Consultation:
both partners attending*
one partner attending
|
60 mins
60 mins
|
$165 each
$330
|
$70.00 each
$70.00
|
|
Review Fertility Consultation:
both partners attending*
one partner attending
|
15 mins
15 mins
|
$110 each
$140
|
$35.15 each
$35.15
|
|
Post-Operative Consultation
|
15 mins
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
|
Post-Operative Consultation (Public Patient)
|
15 mins
|
$140.00
|
$33.75
|
|
Post-Operative NNAC**
|
30 mins
|
$140.00
|
$33.75
|
|
New Telephone Consultation
|
30 mins
|
$175.00
|
$0.00
|
|
Review Telephone Consultation
|
15 mins
|
$100.00
|
$0.00
|
|
Telephone Results Review
|
5 mins
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
|
International Telephone Consultation
|
30 mins
|
$250.00
|
$0.00
|
* Where both partners attend for a fertility consultation, separate referrals will enable the maximal Medicare rebate (as each partner can then claim separately).
** NNAC = 'not normal after-care'.
Surgical Fees
Surgical fees are entirely dependent on the particular surgery performed. Proposed surgery will be discussed at the pre-operative consultation, and our Surgical Coordinator, Sandy Morrison, will then prepare a written quotation.
Information about Public & Private Hospital Care