Informed Financial Consent
The Australian Society of Anaesthetists defines informed financial consent (IFC) as “the dialogue (verbal or written) undertaken between a medical practitioner or his/her representative and a patient such that the patient understands the potential fee for the medical procedure, and the potential rebates for the services from Medicare and/or the patient’s private health insurer”.
Prior to your procedure, an IFC letter will be provided to you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket fees based on information provided by your surgeon regarding the type of procedure you are having, the complexity and duration of your anaesthesia, and your Medicare and private health insurance status. The anaesthetic fee you are quoted is an estimate only because the course of medical treatment on the actual day of your procedure can sometimes be uncertain.
In some instances, we require a full prepayment of the anaesthetic fee prior to the procedure, and a prepay invoice will be included with the IFC letter. All self-funded patients and patients with overseas student and overseas visitor health insurance are required to pay the full anaesthetic fee prior to their procedure. If your private health fund does not cover your procedure, you may be required to pay the full fee in advance.
In situations such as emergency surgeries, labour epidurals or resuscitation-type scenarios where it may not be possible to provide IFC before the service is provided, we endeavour to provide information about fees and rebates to you as soon as possible after the service is provided.
It is important to check with your private health fund to confirm that your surgery is covered and the amount of eligible rebate under your policy.