Surgery fees stir debate

SURGEONS are demanding patients pay thousands of dollars upfront before they perform surgery while they fob off questions about their charges to their secretaries.

Consumers say the practice makes it difficult to confront those who overcharge, undermines informed financial consent and means access to surgery is increasingly determined by the ability to pay.

The Australian Medical Association says doctors who are charging patients thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses should deal directly with patients instead of leaving the discussion to staff.

However, AMA president Michael Gannon acknowledges “doctors are uncomfortable talking about money” and says it’s OK for doctors charging small gap fees to leave financial discussions to staff.

News Corp this week made public the secret AMA fee bible that determines what specialists should charge and revealed many charge up to 10 times the recommended fee.

Patients are being forced to raid their superannuation and appeal for charity to pay medical bills not covered by their health fund or Medicare.

The chief executive of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said the practice of requiring payment upfront before surgery is “a disturbing symptom of a sick system”.

“Surgeons may feel excused for ensuring they are paid but it does mean that many people are forced to put off surgery or wait for months or years in the public system,” she said.