Some surgeons massively ramp up patients’ costs

A report from private health insurer Medibank has revealed huge discrepancies in surgical fees across the country, with some patients being charged hundreds of dollars more than others for the same procedure.

The Surgical Variance Report shows patients are paying wildly different fees for weight loss surgery, hernia repairs, colonoscopies (bowel investigations) and gastroscopies (investigation of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) in particular.

The review looked at the operations of more than 100,000 Medibank members and found that while most surgeons don’t charge out of pocket fees, those who do vary significantly from state to state.

As there are no set rules on private surgery costs, surgeons can charge patients as they see fit.

Patients receiving bowel resections (removal of a large bowel) in NSW are paying an average of $1865 – seven times more than the average of $262 in South Australia.

The report also shows 38 per cent of NSW patients were subjected to out of pocket fees compared to 17 per cent in Victoria, 61 per cent in Tasmania and 5 per cent in the ACT.

Medibank says the report is designed to provide “greater transparency on surgical practice to specialists and patients” and help patients understand that it pays to shop around.

It is hoped the report will result in surgeons looking for ways to improve practices and, in some cases, reduce their fees.

The discrepancies in fees are partly thought to be because of different methods at different private hospitals and surgeries around the country.

For example, some doctors are keeping hernia patients in overnight, despite the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) recommending it be a day procedure.

Overnight stays at hospitals mean patients are charged more and end up forking out for what could be an unnecessary cost.

RACS president Phil Truskett says it’s hoped this new information will help surgeons understand the variance in price across their specialty and reduce fees for patients.

“We are committed to continuous improvement in clinical practice in Australia and the Surgical Variance Reports allow specialists to reflect on how they practice,” he said.

Was your last surgery more than you expected? Do you have private health insurance? Or do you rely on Medicare?