Costs and payments ?

Actually, I have a question relating to costs, too. Anyone who's been sleeved by Dr Liew, when did you pay the anesthetist's fee? Did it get billed to you later or did you pay on admission? 


As I'm with Dr Liew, it's kind of a no frills deal, so I don't have a "surgery package" as such. I've seen a dietitian twice ($125 x 2) and will see her again about three times post surgery (more if I feel I need it). Psychologists fee (also seen twice so far) is $160/session and will continue to see her afterwards, too, as I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I'm seeing an exercise physiologist about a month after surgery, and I'm not sure how much that'll cost yet, but plan on seeing her a few times at least. I've seen the surgeon once (pre surgery) and will see him again a few times after surgery. I can't recall the exact cost, but believe it was about $125 and I got some of that back from medicare. 


Pre-op diet, which is what I'm on at the moment, has set me back a bit, but that all depends on what type you go for. Also, I've bought some protein powder for post surgery, and will be buying some chewable multivitamins for afterwards, too. 


I have top hospital cover with my PHI, but have a $500 excess I will pay on the day of admission. And lastly, the anesthetist's fee, which I believe I'll get billed for post surgery will be between $500-1,000. 


Hope that helps!

My surgeons out of pocket costs were $3,050.00, and this covered one post-op visit.
Anaeasthetists out of pocket $500.00 - would have been $1,500.00 but I had had him before when I'd had had grommets, so I kind of got loyalty lol!  (+ on full Disability Pension).
I paid for the initial pre- and post- op dietitian visits, of which this was around the > $200.00 mark, and of which I got some back on my PHI.
I got the next 5 visits with the dietitian free c/o of being on a Chronic Disease Management Plan via my GP and Primary Health Nurse.
I have top-level PHI, so no excess for hospital (stayed 2 nights, < 48 hours!).
Copped bills for bloods taken both mornings in hospital, and for pathology taken of stomach after being removed in the op (this is standard).

So it seems that different WLS clinics have different charges - or maybe it's dependent on which PHI company you're with...?

I'm with HCF. My surgeon charges a $4500 out of pocket charge, to be paid at least 2 weeks prior to surgery (which is next Friday - I hope the new credit card I'm waiting on arrives by then !!!)and I have a hospital admission excess of $450, payable once per calendar year , which I will need to pay on the day of my surgery. I had to pay $150 for pre op dietitian , some of which PHI covered, $170 for Psychologist (no refund), GP consult was bulk billed, and surgeon' s appt was $180, but partially refunded by Medicare. I just got an email from the clinic to say that my anaesthetist's fee will be covered by my PHI (yay,was anticipating possibly another $1000 bill) and post op I get 2 x surgeon's follow up, 2 x dietitian and I think 1 GP visit included in the 'Program Fee' ($4,500 surgery bill).

Shakes, vitamins, etc are your own responsibility & cost.

My costs

(I am having my surgery in December so some of these are quoted but not confirmed). All costs are post PHI

Initial consult $125 [pay at appointment]
Psychologist $220 x 2 (1 pre, 1 post) [pay at each appointment]
Dietitian $125 pre + 3 x $75 post (as required) [pay at each appointment]
Surgeon $3500 [pay at least 1 week prior]
Surgical assistant $300 [pay at least 1 week prior]
Anaesthetist $850 [pay at least 1 week prior]

Which comes up to approx. $5,500

This does not include supplies like the pre-op diet etc

Hope this helps

My surgeon cost was $5000 then another $1600 to the anaesthetist, both of which had to be paid 2 weeks in advance. I only had to pay my PHI excess to the hospital on the day of admission. 

I paid cash to one and visa debit card over the phone to the other, just ask them what they prefer, a bank cheque should be fine.

Good luck!

When I first rang up about the sleeve, I think I was told it would be out of pocket about 5000-6000 now I thinking maybe it was more, Starting to doubt my memory lol and I can't find the info I wrote down.

I know it will be different for each person but what was your approx out of pocket cost for your surgery?

On the day of surgery how much did you have to pay ?
Also how did you pay, can u pay by cash? My card has a $1000 a day limit, so will I have to get a bank cheque ?

I really hate how my hospital calls the day before surgery to give all the details? Do u think I could ring them tomorrow and ask about payments, and what I will owe when I check in so I can be prepared ?