Bariatric Surgery Costs

Privately Insured Patients

We welcome patients from all health funds. Cover for bariatric (or weight loss) surgery in a private hospital is generally only included in ‘gold’ level products. The advantage of private health insurance is that it will cover all in-hospital costs.

The private health cover will not cover out of hospital costs (our program fee). Once you have met with the surgeon, we will be able to confirm what these costs will be, based on your individual circumstances.

PROGRAM FEE

Your program fee, which is due 3 weeks prior to surgery, covers:

your surgery,
post-operative care with the surgeon,

You will also need to pay:

an anaesthetist’s fee, and
a Bariatric Medical Practitioner care plan, if required.

These fees do not include any hospital excess as part of your private health insurance policy, or any other additional services undertaken in hospital. Please check with your private health insurer if you are covered for items 31572 (Bypass), or 31575 (Sleeve).

Gastric band explantation

Removal of gastric band
(31585)

$500

WHAT IS INCLUDED

2 Highly trained surgeons
Assistant fee – billed to health fund

Gastric sleeve

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (31575)

$6000

WHAT IS INCLUDED

2 Highly trained surgeons
Assistant fee – billed to health fund
24–36 months bulk billed follow up – valid referral is required

Mini gastric bypass

Laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (31581)

$7000

WHAT IS INCLUDED

2 Highly trained surgeons
Assistant fee – billed to health fund
24–36 months bulk billed follow up – valid referral is required

RYGB

Laparoscopic gastric bypass – Roux-en-Y (31572)

$8000

WHAT IS INCLUDED

2 Highly trained surgeons
Assistant fee – billed to health fund
24–36 months bulk billed follow up – valid referral is required

Revisional surgery

Bypass conversion
(31584)

$9000

WHAT IS INCLUDED

2 Highly trained surgeons
Assistant fee – billed to health fund
24–36 months bulk billed follow up – valid referral is required

other expected fees

Anaesthetist fees
Hospital fees
Dietitian
Psychologist
Radiology
Other specialist review (if required, your surgeon will let you know)

Anethestist Fee Estimates

Please see below the anaesthetist fee estimates:

LSG (31575)= $1900.00 – $2200.00 (rebate approx. $375.00)
OAGB (31581) = $2200.00 – $2500.00 (rebate approx. $440.00)
RYGB (31572) = $2400.00 – $3100.00 (rebate approx. $545.00)
Rev LSG (31584) = $2400.00 – $2500.00 (rebate approx. $420.00)
Rev OAGB (31584) = $2900.00 – $3100.00 (rebate approx. $420.00)
Rev RYGB (31584) = $2900.00 – $3100.00 (rebate approx. $545.00)
Removal of LAGB (31585) = OOP $500.00 for privately insured with remainder to health fund and $1500.00 full fee for self-insured (Medicare rebate approx.$235.00)

Please keep in mind that these fees and rebates are estimates only, and fees are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the anaesthetist. Please ask your surgeon who will be your anaesthetist on the day of your surgery.

Uninsured Patients

Bariatric surgery costs for patients without private health insurance.

We welcome patients without private health insurance. Without private health insurance, you will need to cover the in-hospital costs as well as the out of hospital costs (your program fee).

There are a few options to fund your procedure:

You can pay for the surgery privately
If you don’t have the money to do this upfront, you can look at the early access to superannuation on compassionate grounds or funding through TLC (Australian Credit License 509691; terms and conditions apply).

You can join private health insurance
There will be a 12-month waiting period on your bariatric surgery procedure. We can help ensure you take up appropriate cover and that you use the 12 months productively, so it’s best to come in and see us prior to joining. You can then have the procedure as soon as your waiting period is up as a privately insured patient.