Our Pricing & Payment

Item Numbers for Weight Loss Surgery

When you contact your health fund, quote the appropriate Medicare item number/s to see if you are covered for Weight Loss Surgery:

Weight Loss Surgery Out of Pocket Fees

Dr Michael Hatzifotis works closely with a team of professionals, including an Assistant Surgeon, Anaesthetists, Dietitians and Psychologist to help support and guide you through your weight loss journey both before and after your surgery.

Please use the following Out Of Pocket fees as a guide:

Initial Weight Loss Consultation Fee

Your initial one (1) hour consultation with Dr Hatzifotis will incur a fee of $250.  You will be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $72.75 provided you have an up to date referral from your GP.

Your initial consultation is a very detailed discussion with Dr Hatzifotis, specifically tailored to you, and covers your medical and dietary history, and a comprehensive discussion around the weightloss procedure you decide upon. He will discuss in detail all of the advantages and disadvantages of your chosen procedure and the various risks involved, as well as answer any questions you may have.

Privately Insured Patients

1. PHM - Professional Health Management Fee

The PHM fee includes Dr Hatzifotis's fee and Postoperative Care Program.

This fee is payable to Dr Hatzifotis at least one week prior to the day of surgery.

The PHM fee includes the following:

• Surgeon’s fee
• All follow up appointments with Dr Hatzifotis and/or Dr Genevieve Keane for 2 years after surgery - Follow up appointments include a 3 week post operative appointment, followed by appointments every 4-6 weeks for gastric band patients, and appointments approximately every 3 months for sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass patients. After the first 12 months, appointments are then annually.
• All band adjustments (including needles and consumables)
• Any further procedures should any complications arise.
• Administration fee
  

2. Surgical Assistant Fee

This fee may vary from $300 - $800, depending on the procedure and the Assistant used on the day.

3. Anaesthetist's Fee

This fee may vary from approximately $500 - $850, depending on the procedure and the Anaesthetist used on the day. Your anaesthetist will contact you prior to your procedure to confirm these fees.

4. Hospital Excess Fee

Most Private Health Funds will charge an excess fee when you are admitted to a private hospital for a procedure. This will vary depending on your level of cover and your Health Insurance Provider. It may range from $0-$500. You should contact your Health Fund to see what your Excess fees is. Any further procedures should any complications arise. Dr Hatzifotis will not charge any extra out of pocket fees if further surgery is required following weight loss surgery.

5. Dietitian's Fee

You will be expected to visit our Dietitian, at least (5) five times. One (1) pre-operative consultation and at least four (4) post-operative consultations. Initial appointment is $130 and follow ups are $70. Most patients will be eligible to receive a rebate from their Health Fund. You will need to contact your Health Fund to see what your rebate will be. Some patients will qualify for a Care Plan which can be arranged by your GP.

6. Psychologists' Fee

You will be expected to visit our Psychologist at least twice. One (1) pre-operative consultation (prior to your surgery) and one (1) post-operative consultation approximately 6 weeks after surgery. The Psychologists' initial fee is $195 and the follow up fee is $175. Other Follow up appointments may be required. These fees may be rebateable.  Please contact your Health Fund to see what your rebate will be. Some patients may qualify for a Mental Health Care Plan which can be arranged by your GP.

Additional Costs:

• Prior to your weight loss procedure you will be required to commence a low calorie meal replacement diet (Optifast or Optislim). You will need to purchase these meal replacements.
• Pharmacy expenses (medications, vitamins), Blood tests, and other investigations (such as X-rays), may incur an additional cost depending on your health fund.
• If you need to see any other specialists prior to your surgery, such as Cardiologists, Respiratory physicians, or Endocrinologists, you may be charged for these visits.

Uninsured Patients

•  Greenslopes Private Hospital will now allow Weight Loss Surgery, including the SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY and GASTRIC BYPASS to selected
  patients who do not have private health insurance.
• Only selected uninsured patients will be allowed to undergo weight loss surgery in this private hospital, at the surgeons' discretion
• Dr Michael Hatzifotis will assess the patient during the initial hour long appointment and make a professional medical decision based on the patient's medical history and health, to determine whether the patient will be medically fit for this type of surgery without private insurance. This decision will be at Dr Hatzifotis' discretion. 
• As a self funded patient, there will be out of pocket costs involved that need to be paid at least one week prior to the surgery date.
• These costs include fees payable to: the surgeon - Dr Michael Hatzifotis, the assistant surgeon, anaesthetist, dietitian, psychologist, hospital accommodation, theatre, ICU (if applicable) and other prosthetics/disposables. The total costs will be approximately $26,000 for a Sleeve Gastrectomy and $28,000 for a Gastric Bypass. 
• You may also apply for Early Release of Superannuation to pay for these procedure. For more information about self funding and fees involved, please contact our rooms on 07 3847 7002.

Do You Have Basic Private Health Insurance But Not Top Cover?

• If you only have a basic level of Private Health cover, then you have the option to upgrade to TOP COVER, which will cover you for Weight Loss Surgery, however, a 12 month wait period will generally apply. You will not be covered by your private insurance for weight loss surgery, without top cover.  We strongly recommend you phone your Private Health Insurer to discuss your options.

Other Payment Options

Early Release of Superannuation Funds

You may apply to the Department of Human Services (DHS) for early release of superannuation funds to help cover the cost of weight loss surgery. Details of this may be found on the following DHS website:

• www.humanservices.gov.au/earlysuper
• www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/applying-early-superannuation-release

Please check your eligibility under Compassionate Grounds - Medical Treatment or Medical Transport. You may be eligible for an early release of superannuation to pay for necessary medical treatment or medical transport expenses for yourself or your dependant if either of you have:

1. A life threatening illness or injury
2. The medical treatment isn’t readily available through the public health system
3. You can’t afford to pay for the expense without accessing your superannuation benefits

What You Will Need Before You Apply:

To apply for an Early Release of Superannuation, you will need the following documentation:

1. A letter addressed to Department of Human Services from Dr Michael Hatzifotis
2. Form M0017.1710 from the Department of Human Services completed by the patient and signed by Dr Michael Hatzifotis
3. A Quote for medical expenses from Dr Michael Hatzifotis
4. A letter from your GP which must include the following information:

• You are applying for early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds for medical treatment
• The condition is a life threatening illness
• The treatment is not readily available in the Public Health system

   5. A letter from your Health Fund stating your level of cover, including any hospital excess payable

How to Apply:

1. To access your superannuation you will need to apply online to The Department of Human Services by clicking on the link below:
   www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/enablers/applying-early-superannuation-release
2. Begin your application in the personal details section of your Centrelink online account through myGov. You will need to set up a myGov account
3. After completing your application online, you can submit your application and most supporting documents electronically at the end of the process.
4. If you are mailing the supporting documents, post to:

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
EARLY RELEASE OF SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS
PO BOX 7832
CANBERRA BC ACT 2610

If you are not applying online, it is advisable to photocopy your documentation before mailing your application. Please post your documents by 'Registered Post' to ensure they are signed for on delivery.

If you have any queries, relating to your claim, please phone The Department of Human Services on 1300 131 060