At Hunter Weight Loss and Upper GI, we are committed to providing you with all the information regarding the costs involved with your surgery. We will provide you with all the information you require prior to your operation.
For general and upper GI surgery (reflux/hiatus hernia/cancer) Dr Whitcher and Dr McQuillan’s fees are those suggested by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
Weight loss operations are not funded as they should be by Medicare, and as such there are costs to the patient associated with this type of surgery. There are various ways by which you might opt to help fund your surgery.
If you have private health cover it is important that you contact your health insurer early, to ensure you are covered for bariatric surgery. Usually, you will need to have the top level of cover. If you are not covered there will often be a waiting period of twelve months prior to obtaining coverage. The way to check this is to contact your insurer and quote the following item numbers:
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: 31575
- Gastric Bypass: 31572
- SADI-S : 31581
- Revisional Surgery: 31584
- Removal of Gastric Band: 31585
We generally recommend that, if it is possible in your individual circumstances, taking out private health cover that covers bariatric surgery. In this way the insurer, rather than you, pays the hospital fees. These fees are almost always the biggest cost associated with surgery. We can help you get a quote from the hospital regarding their fees.
Some patients choose to fund their surgery using their superannuation or by self-funding. The team at Hunter Weight Loss will provide you with all the information regarding the different payment options so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Dr Whitcher and Dr McQuillan do not charge different fees depending on a patient’s insurance coverage. All patients receive the highest level of care, and the fees don’t differ between patients. Furthermore, our surgeons have no financial interest, other than their own surgery fee, in any product or hospital service. They do not set the anaesthetist’s fees or control fees associated with pathology/radiology services.
In the unlikely event of a complication or unexpected finding there may be additional, unforeseen costs. This is particularly relevant for those patients who are self-funding their surgery.
