Financial estimates

Patients may request a financial estimate for the likely cost of any surgical, medical or cosmetic service proposed by their dermatologist before the service is performed.

A financial estimate is provided to assist the patient in understanding the likely fees associated with the proposed service. The final amount payable may vary where the planned service changes because of clinical requirements, complications, patient requests or other circumstances arising during treatment.

Patients may request an estimate for any surgical, medical or cosmetic service proposed by their dermatologist.

For proposed services with a fee exceeding $600 per session, a written or verbal estimate will ordinarily be provided by the dermatologist or Green Square Dermatology staff before treatment.

Patients are encouraged to request clarification of any fees they do not understand before proceeding with a service.

A financial estimate is valid for 6 weeks from the date of issue.

After this period, fees may have changed and a new estimate may be required.

An estimate applies only to the patient, dermatologist and proposed service for which it was issued. It is not transferable to another patient or between dermatologists.

Unless otherwise stated, an estimate applies to one instance or treatment session of the proposed service.

Where a treatment plan involves multiple sessions, the applicable fee is payable for each session.

For example, where a treatment plan involves several laser sessions, an estimate provided for one laser treatment represents the fee for each individual session unless the estimate expressly states otherwise.

The total cost of treatment will therefore depend on the number of sessions ultimately required.

Any Medicare benefit or other rebate that may be available is separate from the dermatologist’s professional fee.

Patients remain responsible for any amount not covered by Medicare or another applicable third-party payer.

Eligibility for a Medicare benefit depends on the service provided and the applicable Medicare requirements.

A 15% surcharge applies to services performed on:

• Saturdays;

• Sundays; and

• New South Wales public holidays.

Where a service is subsequently performed on one of these days, the applicable surcharge will be added to the amount stated in the estimate unless the estimate already includes it.

Unless expressly included, a financial estimate does not cover fees charged by independent third-party providers or costs associated with obtaining treatment.

These may include:

• pathology;

• radiology or imaging;

• other medical specialists;

• pharmacy or medication costs;

• physiotherapy or allied health services;

• hospital or facility fees;

• transport; or

• accommodation.

Patients should obtain information about these costs directly from the relevant provider where required.

Medical treatment may require changes to the originally proposed service because of clinical findings, complications, patient requests or other circumstances that could not reasonably be anticipated when the estimate was prepared.

Where this occurs, additional services or fees may be required and may not be included in the original estimate.

Where practicable, the patient will be informed of any material change in the proposed service or likely fees before additional treatment is undertaken.

Green Square Dermatology may review and amend this policy from time to time.

The current version of this policy is available through the Green Square Dermatology website.