General Surgery Costs, Private Health Insurance & No-Gap Options

The cost of general and Upper Gastrointestinal surgery with Dr David Joseph depends on the procedure required, the hospital where treatment is performed, your private health insurance and the treatment pathway available to you.

This page provides information about fees and funding pathways for procedures including hernia surgery, gallbladder surgery and other general and Upper Gastrointestinal procedures.

Dr Joseph treats privately insured (all health funds accepted) and public patients across leading private and public hospitals in Sydney. Eligible patients may also have access to selected Medibank Private and HCF no-gap surgery programs at East Sydney Private Hospital.

Following your consultation, Dr Joseph's rooms will provide information about the expected surgical fees and relevant funding options before surgery is arranged.


Looking for Weight Loss Surgery Costs?

Bariatric (weight loss) surgery is provided through the BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic that is led by Dr David Joseph. The clinic offers complete surgery and aftercare program structure and fee schedule.

For information about Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass and other bariatric procedures, including program inclusions, private health insurance and self-funded options, please visit BodyFree for current program and surgery costs.

View BodyFree Weight Loss Surgery Costs & Pricing →


Private Hospital Surgery With Private Health Insurance

Dr David Joseph operates at:

For insured patients undergoing general or Upper Gastrointestinal surgery in a private hospital, Dr Joseph's surgical fees are charged in line with Australian Medical Association (AMA) fee guidelines.

Patients can claim applicable rebates from Medicare and their private health insurer. The amount reimbursed and your final out-of-pocket cost will depend on the procedure performed and your individual health fund and policy.

Anaesthetist, surgical assistant and other associated fees may be billed separately. Patients should confirm their hospital cover, excess or co-payment and applicable benefits directly with their private health insurer.

Before surgery is arranged, Dr Joseph's rooms will provide information about his surgical fee and the expected costs associated with your treatment in the form of a quote and informed financial consent.


No-Gap Surgery at East Sydney Private Hospital

Dr David Joseph participates in selected Medibank Private and HCF no-gap surgery programs at East Sydney Private Hospital in Woolloomooloo.

These arrangements are available to eligible health fund members for specific procedures and are subject to the requirements of the relevant health fund program and clinical suitability.

Medibank No Gap General Surgery

Eligible Medibank members may have access to no-gap surgery with Dr Joseph at East Sydney Private Hospital for:

The Medibank arrangement can apply to day-only or overnight hospital admissions, depending on the procedure and the patient's clinical requirements.

Eligibility must be confirmed for each patient before surgery is arranged.


HCF No-Gap Day Surgery

Eligible HCF members may have access to no-gap day-only treatment with Dr Joseph at East Sydney Private Hospital for:

The HCF arrangement applies specifically to eligible procedures performed as a day-only hospital admission.

Eligibility must be confirmed before treatment is arranged.


What Does No-Gap Surgery Mean?

A no-gap arrangement means that eligible patients can access specified treatment under the relevant health fund program without the usual out-of-pocket surgical costs covered by that arrangement.

The exact inclusions and eligibility requirements differ between programs.

Your consultation with Dr Joseph is separate from the no-gap surgery arrangement and consultation fees still apply.

Other costs outside the relevant no-gap program may also apply depending on your individual circumstances, private health insurance policy and treatment.

Dr Joseph's rooms can help you understand the applicable program and expected surgical fees before treatment is arranged.


Want to Know Which Option Applies to You?

If you are considering hernia, gallbladder or other general surgery, our rooms can provide general information about private health insurance, no-gap options and expected surgical fees.

Call 02 9565 5514 or Book a Consultation Online with HotDoc


What If I Have a Different Private Health Fund and want surgery in a Private Hospital?

Dr Joseph treats patients insured with all Australian private health insurers.

If you are insured with a fund other than Medibank Private or HCF, you can still undergo private surgery with Dr Joseph where your policy provides appropriate hospital cover.

For privately insured patients outside the specific no-gap programs outlined above, Dr Joseph's surgical fees are charged in line with AMA fee guidelines.

Patients can claim applicable rebates from Medicare and their private health insurer. Your final out-of-pocket cost will depend on the procedure and your individual policy.

Dr Joseph's rooms will provide information about his surgical fees before surgery is arranged. You should also contact your private health insurer to confirm your hospital cover, excess or co-payment and expected benefits.


Privately Insured Patients Having Surgery in a Public Hospital

Patients with private health insurance may elect to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital where this pathway is appropriate and available. (Please note this option is not available for bariatric surgery).

For insured patients undergoing surgery with Dr Joseph in a public hospital, a $500 known gap applies to Dr Joseph's surgical fee.

Applicable Medicare and private health insurance rebates are processed as part of the insured treatment pathway.

Consultation fees are separate from the $500 surgical known-gap arrangement.

Public hospital admission remains subject to the hospital's clinical and admission requirements and availability. Please note: wait times for surgery in a public hospital are common.


Public Hospital Treatment Under Medicare

Dr David Joseph also provides surgical care through:

Both RPA and Concord are major public teaching hospitals affiliated with the University of Sydney.

As teaching hospitals, patient care involves specialist surgeons working together with surgical fellows, registrars and other members of the surgical team.

For patients treated as public patients under Medicare, there is no private surgical fee from Dr Joseph. Surgery is typically performed by a qualified Senior Surgical Registrar or Surgical Fellow working under Dr Joseph's direct supervision and as part of the surgical team.

Consultation fees through Dr Joseph's private rooms apply and are separate from public hospital treatment.

Public hospital treatment is subject to the relevant hospital's referral processes, clinical prioritisation and waiting lists.


Consultation Fees & Medicare Rebates

Dr David Joseph charges a consultation fee for appointments.

A valid referral from your GP or another specialist is required to claim the applicable Medicare rebate associated with your consult.

Consultation fees are separate from:

  • private hospital surgical fees

  • Medibank and HCF no-gap surgery arrangements

  • the $500 known-gap arrangement for insured patients treated in a public hospital

  • public hospital treatment under Medicare

Please contact Dr Joseph's rooms for current consultation fees and Medicare rebate information.


Understanding Your Expected Surgery Costs

Before proceeding with surgery, it is important to understand the costs that may apply to your individual treatment.

Depending on your treatment pathway, these may include:

  • Dr Joseph's surgical fee

  • anaesthetist fees

  • assistant surgical fees, where applicable

  • private health insurance excesses or co-payments

  • diagnostic tests or other services

  • consultation fees

The fees and rebates applicable to you will depend on your procedure, hospital, private health insurance and individual circumstances.

Where applicable, you should also confirm your hospital cover and benefits directly with your private health insurer.


Bariatric Surgery

The fee information on this page does not apply to bariatric (weight loss) surgery provided through the BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic Surgery Program.

Bariatric surgery has a separate program structure, inclusions and fee schedule.

View BodyFree Weight Loss Surgery Costs & Pricing →


Which Treatment Pathway Is Available to Me?

The appropriate treatment and hospital pathway will depend on your diagnosis, clinical needs, private health insurance and individual circumstances.

A consultation with Dr Joseph allows your condition to be assessed and appropriate treatment options discussed.

Where surgery is recommended, Dr Joseph's rooms can provide information about:

  • the proposed procedure

  • available hospital options and surgery dates

  • Dr Joseph's surgical fee

  • applicable no-gap or known-gap arrangements

  • Medicare and private health insurance rebates

  • other expected costs associated with your treatment


Questions About Surgery Costs or Private Health Insurance?

If you have questions about private health insurance, Medibank Private or HCF no-gap surgery options, public hospital treatment or the expected cost of general or Upper Gastrointestinal surgery such as gallbladder, hernia, hiatus hernia (reflux) surgery with Dr David Joseph, please contact our rooms.

Our team can provide general information about available fee and funding pathways. Your individual treatment options and clinical suitability will be discussed with Dr Joseph during your consultation.

Call 02 9565 5514 or Book a Consultation Online

Consultations are available in Newtown and via Telehealth. Urgent appointments may be available for suitable referrals.

 

Surgery Cost & Insurance FAQs

  • Yes. Dr Joseph treats patients covered under all Australian private health insurers. Applicable rebates and out-of-pocket costs will depend on your procedure, health fund and individual policy.

  • Dr Joseph participates in selected Medibank Private and HCF no-gap programs at East Sydney Private Hospital.

    Eligible Medibank members may have access to no-gap hernia and gallbladder surgery.

    Eligible HCF members may have access to no-gap day-only hernia surgery and selected gastroscopy/endoscopy procedures.

    Eligibility is subject to the requirements of the relevant health fund program and clinical suitability.

  • The Medibank Private and HCF no-gap arrangements described on this page are available with Dr Joseph at East Sydney Private Hospital in Woolloomooloo.

    These specific arrangements do not apply to surgery performed by Dr Joseph at his other private hospitals.

  • Eligible Medibank Private members may have access to no-gap gallbladder removal surgery with Dr Joseph at East Sydney Private Hospital, subject to Medibank Private program eligibility and clinical suitability.

    The HCF arrangement described on this page does not include gallbladder surgery.

  • Eligible Medibank Private members may have access to no-gap hernia surgery with Dr Joseph at East Sydney Private Hospital, including day-only or overnight admission where clinically required.

    Eligible HCF members may have access to no-gap hernia surgery at East Sydney Private Hospital where the procedure qualifies for a day-only admission.

    Eligibility must be confirmed before surgery.

  • Patients with other private health insurers can still undergo surgery in a private or public hospital with Dr Joseph where their policy provides appropriate hospital cover.

    In a private hospital, Dr Joseph's surgical fees are charged in line with AMA fee guidelines. Applicable Medicare and private health insurance rebates can then be claimed, with the patient's final out-of-pocket cost depending on the procedure and individual policy.

    For public hospital admissions Dr Joseph offers Known Gap billing.

  • Dr Joseph provides surgical care through Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Concord Repatriation General Hospital.

    For patients treated as public patients under Medicare, there is no private surgical fee from Dr Joseph. Public hospital treatment is subject to the relevant hospital's referral processes, clinical prioritisation and waiting lists.

    Both hospitals are public teaching hospitals. Surgery for public patients is typically performed by a qualified Senior Surgical Registrar or Surgical Fellow working under Dr Joseph's direct supervision and as part of the surgical team.

  • Where this pathway is appropriate and available, privately insured patients may elect to be treated as private patients in a public hospital.

    A $500 known gap applies to Dr Joseph's surgical fee for insured patients treated in a public hospital. Consultation fees remain separate.

  • No. Consultation fees apply for all patient consultations.

    A valid referral is required to claim the applicable Medicare rebate for your consultation.

  • No. Bariatric surgery is provided through the BodyFree Weight Loss Clinic Program and has a separate program structure, inclusions and fee schedule.

    Please refer to BodyFree for current Gastric Sleeve, Gastric Bypass and other bariatric surgery program costs.