Fee structure explained
Your General Practitioner has referred you to Dr Fiona Dalzell a specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for antenatal care and delivery of your baby. If you are Medicare eligible, out of hospital costs can be claimed through Medicare, but not your health fund. Due to the complexities of the Government Safety Net and family circumstances, the exact ‘out-of-pocket’ costs will vary between families. For further information regarding these fees, please contact the office and speak to our helpful reception staff.
Antenatal consultations
During your pregnancy there will be an initial consultation and then approximately 14 more consultations. A fee applies to each consultation. In addition, a management of pregnancy fee will be billed in conjunction with the first appointment after you pass 28 weeks gestation. Combined, these fees make up my total fee for antenatal services. All of these fees are for out-of-hospital services and are subsidised by Medicare but cannot be claimed through your health insurance fund. Your out-of-pocket costs are however captured by the Medicare Safety Net.
Attendance at delivery
A fee for management of the labour, birth and postnatal in-hospital care is also incurred. These are in-hospital services which are subsidised by health fund “gap cover” schemes. If you are a member of a health fund that we accept, I will send the bill directly to your health fund for payment. The health fund amount will be accepted as full payment and you will not receive a bill for these services. If you are not a member of an accepted health fund, you will be billed for the fees and are responsible for payment. My receptionist can tell you whether your health fund is acceptable.
Postnatal check
A postnatal consultation is usual at 6 weeks after the birth of your baby. This is another out-of-hospital expense subsidised by the Medicare Safety Net.
Additional fees for complications
Members of an accepted health fund
If you suffer complications that require hospitalisation, the bill for in-hospital obstetric services will be sent directly to your health fund for payment. This means there will be no additional out-of-pocket cost to you for my in hospital services. Other medical consultations and investigations will be billed independently and may incur out-of-pocket costs.
Patients not a member of an accepted fund
If you suffer complications that require hospitalisation, the bill for the in-hospital obstetric services will be sent to you. Other medical consultations and investigations will be billed independently and may incur out-of-pocket costs.
Other fees to consider
In addition to Dr Dalzell’s fees for obstetric consultations and attendance at the delivery, you will also need to pay for radiology (ultrasounds) and pathology (eg. blood tests). These costs are subsidised by Medicare.
If involved in your labour and delivery, the Anaesthetist will bill you for their services.
Your newborn baby will be referred to a Paediatrician who will bill you for consultations. If your baby requires admission to the Special Care Nursery, extra fees may be incurred. Please contact your health fund to ensure these expenses for your baby’s treatment are covered by your fund.
An assistant fee may be incurred if a Caesarean Section is performed.
For hospital accommodation, physiotherapy and pharmacy costs please check with the Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital and your health fund.
Payment policy and options
This practice requests payment at the time of consultation. Payment may be made by cash, Mastercard or Visa, EFTPOS or via Direct Deposit.
The management of pregnancy fee is due at the first consultation after you pass 28 weeks gestation. You may pay the management of pregnancy fee in instalments if you wish, however, claiming through Medicare is not possible until paid in full.
My receptionist can process your Medicare claim electronically, after you have made payment at the time of consultation. The Medicare refund is paid directly into your bank account. Alternatively you should submit your receipts to Medicare.
Medicare subsidy
The Medicare subsidy will depend on whether or not you have reached your annual Medicare Safety Net threshold. The Medicare rebate is 85% of the schedule fee. But once you and your family reach your threshold in a calendar year, Medicare will also pay 80% of your out-of-pocket costs over and above the rebate, for the rest of that year.
The Medicare Safety Net does not apply to services rendered whilst admitted to hospital.