Informed Financial Consent is your right to know what you’ll need to pay upfront before you receive any hospital treatment as a private patient, and to receive this information in writing. It’s important to ask your treating doctor, the hospital and us about any out-of-pocket expenses you may have to pay. 

When you’re admitted to hospital as a member of our health fund, Medicare pays 75% of the MBS fee for eligible inpatient services, and we pay the remaining 25%. If your doctor charges more than the MBS schedule fee, you will be out-of-pocket for this additional amount unless billed under Access Gap Cover.

Ask your treating doctor or specialist

• How much is your fee?

• Do you participate in the Access Gap scheme under the Australian Health Service Alliance (AHSA)?

• If I have to pay a gap, how much will that be?

• What are my options if I can’t afford to pay this gap?

• Which other doctors and medical staff will be involved in my treatment, e.g. radiologist, anaesthetist, assistant?

• How can I get information about assisting doctors’ fees and Access Gap participation?

• Will I receive just one bill?

• If I am receiving a surgically implanted device or prosthesis, is it a Government approved device (covered by TUH) or will I have to pay a gap?

• What are the MBS item numbers for this procedure? (see “Ask us” section below) 

Ask your hospital

• Does this hospital have any agreement with TUH?

• Will I have to pay a gap for my hospital accommodation?

• What other out-of-pocket expenses apply during my time in hospital? 

Ask us

• My doctor gave me these MBS item numbers for my procedure or service. Does my policy cover me for this?

• Under my policy, will I have to pay an excess or any other charges? If so, how much?

• Will I have to pay extra for my hospital accommodation, my doctor’s fees, and any assisting doctors’ fees, or is it all covered by my policy?

• If I have to pay extra, who do I pay, and when? 

Find out more about paying your hospital fees.