Your anaesthetist usually sends a separate account. Medicare and, for hospital admissions, your private health fund may pay part of it, and you pay any difference (the out-of-pocket cost or "gap"). Before a planned procedure you should be told the estimated fee and your likely out-of-pocket cost. If you have not been, ask.
Why there is a separate account
Your anaesthetist is an independent specialist. Their fee covers the pre-anaesthetic assessment, the anaesthetic or sedation itself, monitoring throughout the procedure and care in the recovery period. It is separate from:
- your surgeon’s or dentist’s fee
- the hospital’s or day surgery’s charges
- any other specialists, such as an assistant surgeon or pathology.
How Medicare and health funds may contribute
Medicare lists anaesthesia services in the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Whether Medicare contributes to your anaesthetic, and how much, depends on the procedure, where it takes place and your circumstances.
If you are admitted to hospital as a private patient and have private hospital cover, your health fund may also pay part of the anaesthetist’s fee. Contributions vary between funds and policies. For some procedures, such as some dental treatment outside hospital, Medicare and health funds may contribute little or nothing.
The difference between the fee and any amounts paid by Medicare and your fund is your out-of-pocket cost, often called the gap.
What you should be told before your procedure
Australian doctors are expected to make sure patients are informed about fees and charges in a timely way. ANZCA’s guidance on consent includes discussing the financial implications of anaesthesia. For a planned procedure, this means you should receive:
- an estimate of the anaesthetic fee
- an explanation of what Medicare and your health fund may pay, where that is known
- your estimated out-of-pocket cost.
Estimates can change if your procedure turns out to be longer or more complex than planned.
Questions to ask
- Will I receive a separate account from the anaesthetist?
- What is the estimated fee, and what is my likely out-of-pocket cost?
- Will Medicare or my health fund contribute?
- When and how do I pay?
- Who do I contact if I have a question about my account?
Checking your health fund
Ring your health fund before your procedure and ask what they will pay towards the anaesthetic for your procedure. Have your procedure details ready; your surgeon or dentist can give you these.
Compare typical costs
The Australian Government’s Medical Costs Finder shows typical specialist costs for common procedures. It can help you understand what is usual, but your own costs may be different.
Questions about an account
If you have a question about an account from Dr Aly, please contact the rooms. Do not include card or bank details in the enquiry form.
Sources
- Medical Board of Australia. Good medical practice: a code of conduct for doctors in Australia. 1 Oct 2020.
- ANZCA. PS26(A) Position statement on informed consent for anaesthesia or sedation. Apr 2021.
- ANZCA. PG07 Guideline on pre-anaesthesia consultation and patient preparation (2024; Appendix 1, Fasting, revised June 2026). June 2024; Appendix 1 June 2026.
- Australian Government Department of Health. Medical Costs Finder. Accessed 2 Nov 2026.
- Written by
- Altitude Creative, on behalf of Dr Walid Aly
- Clinical reviewer
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In an emergency, call 000. This information is general and does not replace advice from your treating practitioner.