COSTS

    Ballarat Skin Cancer Centre fees are based on the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), Australian Medical Association (AMA), Departments of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and Private Health Insurance list of fees.

    The fees reflect the expenses incurred in providing quality care and services to patients. Patients are fully informed and provide financial consent, with all fees to be paid on the day.
    As we are a private practice bulk billing is generally not available.

    In order to receive the Medicare rebate, patients must ensure that they have a valid and current referral. It is the patient’s responsibility to obtain an appropriate referral. Most GP referrals last for 12 months and Specialist referrals are valid for 3 months.

    We are able to lodge a claim with Medicare on your behalf. However, we lodge the claim on-line and it can take up to 48 hours for the Medicare rebate to be paid into your account.

    Your private health insurance will not cover consultations. However, most health funds will cover excisions of skin cancer and some non-cancerous lesions depending on the site and size of the lesions.

    Coverage and costs will depend on the type of cover/policy that you have chosen. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Gold Card holders are fully covered for all consultations and procedures. White Card Holders are only covered for consultations and surgeries if they have applied and been granted approval for it through DVA. Our staff will check if your coverage is adequate before your procedure so you are fully informed.

    Fees are always disclosed before any procedure is undertaken. Staff and Doctors will discuss any additional fees, including any out of pocket expense that you may be required to pay.

    There are theatre and day surgery fees applicable for all surgical admissions. Staff will contact you with an estimate of costs before your procedure.
    Patients without any private health insurance will be required to pay a facility fee if admission to the Ballarat Surgicentre is required.

    Recent changes to legislation has resulted in Health Care Card holders no longer being covered for Ambulance transport to and from Private Hospital facilities. Patients that require Ambulance transport must pay for this transport themselves or be an Ambulance subscriber.

    Payments can be made with cash or by Eftpos, Cheque, Mastercard or Visa. We are unable to accept American Express Cards.

    Please note that full payment is required upon completion of your consultation with our Dermatologists.

    A cancellation fee of $50 will be charged if patients do not cancel a minimum of 24 hours beforehand (1 Business day) of the scheduled appointment without good reason.
    We are professionally required to send skin specimens to an accredited lab for testing. Our doctors will request that the Pathology company bulk bills, meaning that the majority of pathology tests requested are Bulk Billed.