Finance Options

Obesity Surgery Fees

Laparoscopic Gastric Banding, Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (Medicare item No: 30511) and Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (30512)

A fee of $3300 for gastric banding or $3500 for gastric sleeves and bypasses is charged to each patient and payable directly to Dr Justin Greenslade. This fee is expected to be paid prior to surgery.

Please read the following information outlined to explain the fee structure.

You will be given a receipt for the amount of $3300 for gastric banding or $3500 for gastric sleeves and bypasses - this is the operation fee charged by Dr Greenslade. After the operation is performed you will then be issued, by mail, with an invoice for this amount stating the Medicare item number and description of the operation performed by Dr Greenslade. You need to take the invoice and pre-paid receipt to Medicare for a rebate. Medicare will rebate 75% of the schedule fee, which is currently $802.90 for gastric banding. If you are in a health fund you will then be able to claim a rebate for a further 25% extending up to the Medicare schedule fee.

It is essential to see a dietician both prior to, and after surgery. Psychologist input may also be suggested by Dr Greenslade. Allied Health visits are not included in the above fee.
All post-op bariatric consults and band adjustments provided by Dr Greenslade will be bulk billed indefinitely.

Note:

• If you are covered for dietetic consultations by your health fund a portion of the consult fee will be claimable. The rebate amount will vary depending on the level of cover. It is advisable to check your cover with your health fund. Receipts at the time of each consult will be provided to enable claiming from your health fund
  
  
• If you have a chronic weight related medical condition and your GP considers you to be eligible to be placed onto an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC) you may be entitled to dietetic or psychologist rebates from Medicare

Assistant Surgeon

An assistant fee is not usually payable for surgery by Dr Greenslade at Greenslopes Private Hospital. Patients would be informed if there was any change with this arrangement.

Anaesthetist

Once surgery is booked, the contact number of the relevant anaesthetist can be supplied for an accurate quote. In general, the fee is about $1500 for bariatric operations, but this can vary.

Hospital

Dr Greenslade performs surgery at the Greenslopes Private Hospital.

The private hospitals charge their own set of fees, including a theatre fee and a daily inpatient ward or ICU fee. If you have top hospital cover with your health fund, including prosthetic cover (which is for the band device), then you should be fully covered for these fees, although it is wise to check your policy cover with your fund and also that they have an agreement with Greenslopes Private Hospital . If you are not in a health fund then you can estimate that the costs for the entire undertaking, which includes the band device if applicable, will be approximately $13,500 for gastric banding. There is no Medicare rebate claimable for private hospital fees.

It is highly advisable to have private insurance before embarking on this surgery, as unexpected prolongations of inpatient stay and unplanned further surgery (although uncommon) can greatly inflate the costs, which would otherwise be absorbed by your insurer.