Today Medicare rebates do not cover the full cost of providing you with medical care.  This is because the rate at which successive governments have indexed the Medicare Schedule fees has been substantially lower than increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and average weekly earnings.

In fact, Medicare rebates had been frozen since 1 November 2012. The Liberal government only in late 2017, announced it would slowly reintroduce indexation of Medicare Schedule fees.

In effect, this means that Medicare rebates do not cover the cost of providing you with a safe and high quality service.  The fees charged by this practice have to cover all of our practice costs including employing staffs, meeting our operating expenses such as rent, medical equipment, electricity, computers and a very expensive medical indemnity insurance. 

The restriction of Medicare rebate means that this practice is not able to bulk bill our patients.

Gynaecology and Fertility Fees

Out of Hospital Consultation

Initial consultation: 

The fee for the initial consultation is higher then subsequent consultation because there is more time allocated for your initial meeting with Dr Sem. This will allow him to understand your concerns, take detailed history, perform a thorough gynaecological examinations. If necessary, he will perform a pelvic ultrasound scan. He will then formulate the best plan to treat your condition and discuss it with you.

For fertility consultation, if applicable, your reproductive partner will also need a referral to see Dr Sem. 

Subsequent consultation:

For subsequent consultations, the fee is generally lower as he will be familiar with your condition.

Post-operative visit:

This visit is generally included with the surgical fees, unless there is a new clinical issue raised.

Payment:

After the consultation, you will be provided with an invoice. The full payment is to be made for the consultation, part of which you can claim back from Medicare. Payments by EFTPOS or credit card (surcharge applied) are accepted. 

In-Hospital Care

With private health insurance cover:  

Your insurance will cover fees for the cost of the hospital bed, theatre use and some or all consumables (surgical equipments). In most cases, you will need to pay an excess which will vary depending on your insurance and level of cover.

Dr Sem’s fees are based on Australian Medical Association Schedule of Fees, which what Medicare rebates should have been if it was appropriately indexed. The difference between AMA Schedule of Fees and Medicare rebates is your “gap”. Please note that full payment must be received at the latest 2 days prior to surgery. 

You will be billed separately by the anaesthetist and surgical assistant. There may be gap payable for their services as well. 

Depending on the agreement between your health insurer and the hospital, there may be additional cost for inpatient pathology, medical imaging, physiotherapist and other allied health services.

Self funded: 

Medicare will cover only a small proportion of surgeon’s, anaesthetist’s and surgical assistant’s fees, and you are responsible for the balance. You are also responsible for paying the full cost of the hospital bed, theatre fee and other costs such as pathology, medical imaging etc.

Informed Financial Consent

Procedure performed by Dr. Sem at every hospital will vary from patient to patient. The practice manager will prepare a surgical fee estimates with details of the surgical procedures,  item numbers and indicative costs.

Please contact us to enquire more about fees and out of pocket costs for all procedure performed by Dr. Sem either in Gold Coast Private Hospital, Pindara Private Hospital or Broadwater Private Day Hospital.