Fees & Payments for
Brisbane-Based Treatments

Private Health Insurance

Your private health insurance will cover most of your surgical costs, depending on your insurer and your particular policy. We will provide you with a written quote stating the Medicare item numbers for your procedure and an estimate of surgical fees. You should discuss this with your insurer before surgery. Your anaesthetist will also usually issue you with a written quote prior to surgery.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Dr Ben Dodd fees are generally well below AMA recommended rates. There will be small out-of-pocket fees (usually ‘Known gap’ depending on your health fund and policy level) for all elective procedures that are not bariatric surgery. Out of pocket costs for bariatric surgery are significant, largely to do with the huge indemnity premiums paid by surgeons. Dr Dodd can always arrange to perform your surgery at the RBWH, with no out of pocket costs involved.

Medicare

Your quote will state the Medicare item numbers involved for your procedure. The ‘rebate’ refers to the amount of these costs that will be covered by Medicare.

Our fees have been developed in accordance with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) as set out by the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA) and Medicare. Our fees are generally substantially less than AMA recommended fees.

Note: All payments for Weight Loss Surgery are required at least 14 days prior to your procedure. This is to allow proper planning of theatre lists with hospitals, anaesthetists and surgical assistants. Late cancellations create significant logistical problems.

As access to public hospital weight loss surgery is poor, some uninsured patients wish to access superannuation to help pay for bariatric surgery. This is appropriate in selected cases (high BMI with weight related comorbidities). This will require a form to be completed by Dr Ben Dodd and your GP stating these facts. Please discuss with Dr Dodd.