Costs & Fees

Dr Walter operates only at the Mater Hospital which is a private hospital. Generally, patients have private health insurance. It is expensive to have the procedure done without private cover, but it certainly doesn’t preclude those patients who are able to afford the surgery without private cover from having a hip replacement with Dr Walter.

Surgeon's Fee

If you need to have surgery, fees will be discussed at the initial consultation. Before your surgery, you will be given an estimate of what the out-of-pocket expenses will be for your surgeon and assistant surgeon. This document should be signed and returned to us prior to surgery. These out-of-pocket costs are not refunded by your health fund. We strongly advise that you check with your private health fund yourself, to ensure you have appropriate cover for this surgery. We can provide you with the information (including item numbers) you need so you can get accurate information from your fund.

After your surgery, we will invoice Medicare and your Fund directly – you will receive cheques which you should forward onto us together with payment for your out-of-pocket expenses, which can be paid by cheque, cash or over the phone with a credit card.

You will come to see Dr Walter for a 6 week check up after your surgery. This is covered in the surgery fee; there is no further fee payable at this visit.

Anaesthetist's Fee

We can let you know who your anaesthetist will be when you book your surgery. You should contact the anaesthetist to request a quotation for their services. You should ask if there will be an out-of-pocket expense which will not be covered by your fund. Your anaesthetist will send an invoice to you after your surgery.

Hospital Fees

You should contact the Mater Hospital to discuss fees and payment for your hospital stay, which may be partly or completely covered by your health fund. You may wish to contact the Admissions Department at the hospital for more information. The Mater Hospital will handle the processing of invoices (relating to your operation and hospital stay) through your health fund.