- SPECIALIST ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON | MELBOURNE, VIC | ALBURY NSW |
- 03 9421 6133
Fees & Billing
Your guide to consultation and surgery costs with Dr Jason Hockings
Understanding the costs involved in your care can help you plan with confidence. Below is an outline of our consultation and surgery fees, including options for patients with and without private health insurance. Our team is happy to answer any questions and guide you through the billing process before your appointment or procedure.
Consultation Fees
Initial Patient Consultation: $260 (Including Telehealth)
Subsequent Patient Consultation: $150
Payment of your account is required on the day of your consultation via EFTPOS, Visa, MasterCard and cash for payment.
A current GP or treating practitioner referral is required to be able to claim from Medicare. (Physiotherapist is not recognised as a treating practitioner for referrals).Â
Our reception team can process your claim immediately and the rebate will be deposited directly back into your bank account. Without a current referral, we will be unable to claim for you.
Patients with claims through Workcover, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), or other third-party insurers should provide all claim details before their appointment. In most cases, standard consultation fees apply and are also payable on the day, with reimbursement to be arranged directly between you and the insurer.
Understanding Surgery Fees: What You Need to Know
Having surgery in the private health system gives you more control over your care, but it also means there are some costs to consider. Here’s a simple explanation of how fees work and what to expect.
What are AMA fees?
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) sets a recommended guide for what doctors should charge based on the time, skill, and responsibility involved in performing surgery. Unfortunately, Medicare and private health insurance don’t always cover the full cost, which means there may be an out-of-pocket fee, called a gap payment. This is the difference between what your doctor charges and what Medicare and your fund will pay.
Who charges for your surgery?
It’s common to think the cost of surgery is just your surgeon’s bill , but there are usually a few separate charges, including:
- Your surgeon (Dr Hockings) – You’ll be given a full quote before your surgery so there are no surprises.
- The anaesthetist – This is the doctor who gives you anaesthesia (puts you to sleep). They’ll usually contact you separately with their fees.
- Assistant surgeon – A qualified assistant may help during surgery. Their fee is generally 20% of the main surgeon’s fee.
- The hospital – If you have private health insurance, most hospital fees (like your room, the operating theatre, and nursing care) will be covered after you pay any excess or co-payment set by your policy.
- Pathology and scans – Any blood tests or imaging done during your hospital stay may be billed separately.
- Implants or joint replacements – These are usually covered by your private health fund, but always check with your insurer.
How do Medicare and your health fund contribute?
Every surgery has a Medicare item number, which helps determine how much Medicare and your private health insurer will pay. Typically:
- Medicare pays a set rebate
- Your private health fund pays a top-up (about 25% more)
Together, they usually cover around 75–90% of the recommended fee, but there is often a remaining gap that you’ll need to pay. This is a normal part of private surgical care in Australia.
What you’ll receive before surgery
You’ll be given a written quote (Informed Financial Consent) before your procedure that outlines:
- Dr Hockings’ surgical fee
- Estimates for the anaesthetist and assistant (if applicable)
- Any expected out-of-pocket costs
- Who to contact if you have questions
We encourage you to contact your health fund before booking surgery to check:
- Whether your policy covers the procedure
- If any waiting periods apply
- What your excess or co-payments will be
Surgery Costs with Private Health Insurance
If you have private hospital cover, your out-of-pocket costs for surgery will depend on your health fund, the level of cover you hold, and the specific procedure being performed. In Australia, most health funds now offer hospital policies in four standard tiers: Basic, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. These categories affect what procedures are included and how much your insurer pays toward your care:
- Basic cover generally only includes essential treatments and excludes most orthopaedic surgeries.
- Bronze cover may include more services but typically still excludes joint replacement or orthopaedic procedures.
- Silver cover can include some joint procedures but may vary depending on your fund and specific policy.
- Gold cover usually provides the most comprehensive coverage, including most joint replacement surgeries.
Checking your health fund policy
Before proceeding with surgery, we recommend contacting your private health insurer to confirm:
- Whether your current policy tier covers your planned procedure, using the specific Medicare item number(s)
- Whether any waiting periods apply
- The amount of any hospital excess or co-payments
- Which out-of-pocket expenses you might still incur
Understanding out-of-pocket costs (gap payments)
Even with private health insurance, you may still have some out-of-pocket expenses, commonly referred to as a gap payment. These are the portions of the fee that your health fund doesn’t cover. For most patients, private health insurance covers approximately 90% of the total cost, but the actual gap will vary based on:
- Your surgeon’s fees
- The anaesthetist’s fees
- Any assistant surgeon fees (if applicable)
- Your hospital cover limits
You will receive a detailed Informed Financial Consent prior to booking surgery, outlining:
- Dr Hockings’ surgical fee
- The anaesthetist’s fee
- Fees for the assistant (if required)
- Hospital admission costs and any known excess charges
- Any expected out-of-pocket or gap payments
We aim to make this process transparent so you can feel informed and prepared when making your decision.
Surgery Costs WITHOUT Private Health Insurance
Not having private health insurance does not mean you cannot access high-quality orthopaedic care. Dr Hockings offers self-funded surgery options, providing clear, transparent pricing and flexible pathways for patients who choose to pay for their procedure directly. Whether you require a knee or hip replacement, or another orthopaedic surgery, self-funding allows you to receive timely treatment in a private hospital without the long wait times often associated with the public system.
What your surgery costs may include
Exact costs vary depending on your procedure and individual needs, but common expenses may include:
- Surgeon, assistant, and anaesthetist fees
- Hospital fees (nursing care, operating theatre, accommodation, and other hospital services)
- Medications provided during your stay
- Pathology and imaging such as blood tests, X-rays, or scans
- Prosthesis costs if your surgery involves a joint replacement or similar implant. The type of prosthesis used will be based on your specific condition.
How to self-fund your procedure
- Get a referral
Visit your GP and request a referral to Dr Hockings. Even without private health insurance, you can receive a Medicare rebate for your consultation with a valid referral. - Book an appointment
Contact Dr Hockings’ rooms to arrange your consultation. - Receive a quotation
During your consultation, you will receive a detailed cost estimate, covering surgical, hospital, and associated fees. - Schedule your surgery
Once you are ready, you can book your surgery at one of the private hospitals where Dr Hockings operates. - Make payment
Payment for your procedure is required upfront before your scheduled date.
Changes to costs
While every effort is made to provide an accurate estimate, final costs may differ from your initial quotation. This can occur if your hospital stay is shorter or longer than expected, or if your surgical needs change during the procedure. If this happens, Dr Hockings and his team will clearly explain any changes, the reasons behind them, and provide payment options where needed.
Self-funding gives you control over your treatment timeline, allowing you to access surgery sooner and plan your recovery without delay.
During your consultation, Dr Hockings will explain the most appropriate surgical approach based on your condition, anatomy, and individual needs. Many people experience a significant improvement in pain, function, and mobility following hip replacement surgery. Recovery timelines vary depending on the surgical approach and your overall health, but most patients gradually return to walking, driving, and normal activities over the course of several weeks to months.
If you’re living with hip pain or stiffness that’s affecting your quality of life, a thorough assessment can help determine the cause and guide the right treatment path.
