Will my health insurance cover all of my costs?
This varies depending on your health fund and your procedure. Each surgical procedure has a financial cost or fee, set independently by individual surgeons and can vary greatly. Dr Mackay takes guidance from AMA recommendations regarding fees but on many occasions, charges less than the recommended AMA fee to ensure his services are affordable to as many people as possible.
The federal government contributes a portion of the surgical fee through Medicare and many health funds contribute an additional amount. In most cases, the amount the government and your health fund contribute does not cover the total fee for the procedure. This sometimes creates a ‘gap’ which will be explained during your informed financial consent.
In general, health funds provide assistance in covering your hospital fees, a very significant portion of the procedural cost.
How do I make an appointment, and do I need a referral?
Please call our rooms on 3834 7011 to make an appointment. A referral from your GP or another specialist is necessary in order to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation. In addition, a referral provides helpful history and background for Dr Mackay. If you are a WorkCover patient and will not be claiming your consultation through Medicare, a referral is not vital.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your referral letter and any relevant scans or x-rays, including the reports. We will need to see your Medicare card and private health insurance information too.
How long after my consultation can I have surgery?
If Dr Mackay feels you will benefit from surgery, we will try to arrange this as soon as possible. In most cases this can be within two weeks. If you have a traumatic, acute injury, surgery often takes place the same or following day depending on the type of injury.
What is the cost of a consultation and can I claim this with my health fund?
Dr Mackay’s consultation fees are*:
- Standard initial consultation $250.00 (Medicare rebate $80.85)
- Long consultation/second opinion $300.00 (Medicare rebate $80.85)
- Review consultation $ 100.00 (Medicare rebate $40.65)
- Post op Review (after 6 weeks) $ 50.00 (Medicare rebate $40.65)
- Consultation with therapy $ 50.00 (Medicare rebate $40.65)
Your health fund does not offer any rebate for these services as they are outpatient services. However, you can claim a rebate from Medicare if you have a current referral from a doctor. A referral from your GP will last for 12 months; a referral from another specialist three months.
*figures current as at July 2023
Does Dr Mackay see Veterans Affairs and WorkCover patients?
Yes, Dr Mackay is happy to treat Veteran’s Affairs and WorkCover patients.
Is parking available?
There is a carpark under the Brisbane Private Hospital. This can be accessed via Birley St or Lilley St, Spring Hill. This carpark is billed at normal inner-city car parking rates. This car park is sometimes full, so you may need to try one of the other car parking stations on Wickham Terrace. There is also metered street parking around Wickham Terrace. We are a short walk from Central and Roma Street train stations.
For more information click here
Where can I stay when I’m in Brisbane?
There are plenty of accommodation options in central Brisbane. Please click here for some options.*
*Please note that prices and information are subject to change and that Dr Mackay has no affiliation with any of these venues.