Costing for treating venous disease can be confusing. The following attempts to inform you in advance as to what is involved.
- The initial consultation. The consultation fee is at a specialist rate. A vascular ultrasound scan of all superficial and deep veins in both legs is required and the fee for this is at a specialist rate. Part of the consultation and ultrasound costs are paid through Medicare and extra out-of-pocket expenses contribute towards reaching the Safety Net threshold. Pensioners and Health Card holders are charged the rebate fee for consultations and scans. Please enquire about the anticipated fee.
- Non-surgical “Out of Hospital” treatment. An estimate will be provided for the particular treatment recommended. Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Radiofrequency Closure (RF) are non-Medicare procedures and do not attract a Medicare rebate or contribute towards Safety Net. Any practitioner advising you otherwise may be committing Medifraud and may be subject to criminal action. Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy (UGS) is in part covered by Medicare and out-of-pocket expenses contribute towards Safety Net. The usual fee for UGS can be charged as a Medicare item at the time of EVLA or RF. Veins larger than 2.5mm treated by sclerotherapy, with or without ultrasound guidance, are paid in part by Medicare with a maximum of 6 treatment sessions over a 12 month period. Veins smaller than 2.5mm diameter are not covered by Medicare and treatment attracts GST. The fees charged cover all medical, ultrasound and nursing services but not the cost of stockings. Private Health Funds are not allowed by law to pay for out-of-hospital treatment.
- Payment. Payment is requested on the day of consultation or treatment. If any fee is at the rebate level, it is required that the patient pay this amount prior to claiming it back from Medicare. There may be a small difference of a few dollars. The practice does not use bulk billing. Assistance towards paying over a period of time can be gained from Mac Credit and a link to their site is as follows [LINK].
- Safety net. The description provided by the Department of Health for Safety Net is as follows. “The extended Medicare safety net meets 80% of the out-of-pocket costs (ie the difference between the fees charged and the Medicare benefits paid) for out-of-hospital Medicare services, once an annual threshold of $555 for individuals or registered families in receipt of Family Tax Benefit (A) and concession card holders (approximate), or $1110 for all other individuals or families (approximate) is reached. The thresholds are increased from 1 January each year.” A link to the Department website is as follows [LINK]. You can contact Medicare to determine your threshold limit and current out-of-pocket expenses for yourself or your family for the present calendar year.
- Surgery. An estimate can be obtained for an operation including fees for the surgeon, assistant and anaesthetist, fees for the hospital bed and theatre fees. In-patient treatment is not eligible for Safety Net. In-patient surgery costs are partly covered by Private Health Funds as well as Medicare.
- Stockings. Surgical support stockings are required after any form of treatment. Private Health Funds may reimburse part of their cost according to whether there is cover for Ancillaries. Enquire from your fund and we will provide a supporting letter if required.
- Follow-up visits. It is the policy of the practice to charge the rebate fee for follow-up consultations and ultrasound scans after treatment.
For more information on the Medicare safety net, see the Medicare Australia website »
Payment Plans
Victoria Vein Clinic works with Mac Credit to provide flexible options for treatment payments. Mac Credit lets you begin your treatment or procedure immediately and then pay over a period of time that suits you.
For further information on Mac Credit please visit their website or call 1300 884 355.
