Financial Options

Costs Associated with Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery is considered by Health authorities to be an important health intervention in the treatment of morbidly obese patients and as such this surgery has a Medicare Item number which will attract a Medicare rebate.

Privately insured patients whose level of private insurance covers weight loss surgery will need to pay an additional out of pocket cost.

This additional out of pocket cost is payable 5 days prior to your surgery. And this is a one off payment to Dr. Copp and includes the following:

• This covers your care through out your weight loss journey with Dr. John Copp
• Surgeon fees
• Assistant fees
• Post operative appointments and ongoing follow up with Dr. Copp /Nursing practitioner
• Emergency contact to Dr. Copp's Nursing Practitioner

It is important to note that this does not include:

• Hospital costs
• Pathology, radiology or other investigative items
• Dietitian fees
• Anaesthetist fees
• Psychology fees

If you require any revisional surgery of your lap band you will be Gap Covered by Dr. John Copp. You may still have fees for the Anaesthetist or hospital. Any Patients who wish to have a sleeve gastrectomy after their lap band surgery will need to speak to Dr. Copp's practice manager about the costs involved.

Your Private Health insurance

Your private health insurance will cover inpatient costs while you are in a private hospital, depending on you level of cover. You will need to check that you are covered with your health insurer for weight loss surgery.

We strongly advise you ring your Health Insurance Company to ensure that you are covered for the procedure you are having.

GASTRIC LAP BAND SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY ITEM 30511

This is the Medicare schedule item number of the procedures above.

Uninsured/ Self Funding Patients

At Dr. John Copp's Rooms we can only offer Gastric Lap Band surgery to uninsured / self funding patients. We do not offer sleeve gastrectomy or revisional surgery as the cost  of extended treatments or hospital stay in certain circumstances may be extensive.

As you are not covered by private health insurance you will be liable for all costs of the surgery. An estimate for total costs including hospital and band prosthesis will be provided to you by the hospital if you wish to proceed with surgery.

• It is important to understand that if complications occur or prolonged hospital stay is needed you will be liable for the cost. If you require any revisional surgery regarding your lap band you will be liable for the total cost of any surgery

We strongly advise all uninsured patients join a health fund with an adequate level of cover should the need for any revisional surgery occur.

Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) early release of superannuation.

In certain circumstances, you may be eligible to access your superannuation funds to cover your surgery for further information go to the APRA web site: www.apra.gov.au

You will need to apply to APRA independently. You will need to follow the instructions on the web page to determine if you are suitable for this application process.

We can not book any surgery for you until your application for release of your super funds has been approved.

You may also be eligible to claim the out of pocket expenses in you tax return as a medical rebate. Currently this is a tax offset of 20% of your net medical expense over $1500.00. Check with your financial advisor or accountant to ensure suitability of your claim.