Patient Fees
Consultation Fees
Mr Patten’s consultation fees (as of 1 February 2025):
Initial consultation fee - $280.00
Review consultation fee - $165.00
Provided that you have a valid doctor’s referral in place, the above fees attract a Medicare rebate which we can claim on your behalf at the time of payment.
If you are an existing patient and have not consulted Mr Patten for two years or more, an initial consultation fee will apply for your next appointment.
The Cost of Surgery
For any surgery Mr Patten recommends, you will be provided with an estimate of costs detailing the anticipated fees involved with your hospital admission and surgery. These may include:
Mr Patten’s fee – Mr Patten’s surgery fees are guided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA)’s recommended fees.
The anaesthetist’s fee – Your anaesthetist will provide you with a quote prior to surgery. This fee varies depending on the duration of your procedure and your private health insurance (if any).
The surgical assistant’s fee – Your surgical assistant’s fee may equate to up to 20% of Mr Patten’s surgery fee. You will be eligible for a rebate from Medicare and your private health fund for this fee.
Hospital bed, theatre and equipment fees – If you are covered by private health insurance, these fees will almost always be covered by your health fund. It is important to confirm with your health fund that you are covered for your surgery. You may have an excess to pay to the hospital at the time of admission, depending on your insurance policy.
Pathology, radiology and pharmacy – During your hospital admission, you may need to have scans, blood tests, or have medication dispensed to you from the pharmacy, which may incur out-of-pocket costs. This should be discussed with your health fund if you are privately insured.
About Mr Patten’s Surgery Fees
Surgical procedures are identified by Medicare item numbers listed in the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). Medicare provides a rebate for each item number and private health funds will supplement this rebate by 25%. Mr Patten’s fees exceed Medicare and private health insurance rebates, and this generates an out-of-pocket cost (or ‘gap’) to the patient.
For any surgery Mr Patten recommends, a written estimate of costs detailing all MBS item numbers and anticipated fees will be provided to you.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Patients
If your injury/condition is covered by DVA, there will be no charge from Mr Patten to you for any consultations or surgery.
WorkCover & TAC Patients
Please note that Mr Patten no longer accepts new WorkCover or TAC referrals.
Existing patients covered under the Victorian WorkCover Authority (VWA) or TAC are required to pay Mr Patten’s private consultation fees on the day of their appointment and then seek reimbursement from their WorkCover insurer or TAC. Please note that our consultation fees exceed VWA and TAC rates. This means that VWA insurers and TAC will not reimburse these fees in full, leaving you out-of-pocket.
Uninsured Patients
For uninsured patients wishing to self-fund surgery under Mr Patten’s care in the private health system, we will provide you with quotes for all anticipated costs related to your admission and surgery.
Mr Patten does not operate in the public system and is therefore unable to perform surgery for patients in any public hospitals. Should you wish to have surgery in a public hospital, your GP can send a referral to an orthopaedic outpatient clinic at your nearest public hospital.
Please feel free to contact our staff on 03 9516 2390 should you have any questions regarding Mr Patten’s fees.