Private Fees & Financial Information
We believe it is important that every patient understands the financial aspects of their care before making decisions about treatment or surgery.
Dr Nicholls provides care to both public and private patients, and the pathway you choose will determine how your care is funded.
Public Patient Care
Dr Nicholls holds public appointments at both The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Northern Beaches Hospital.
If you want to be seen as a public patient through these hospital services, Dr Nicholls can assess, manage and, where appropriate, perform your surgery as a public patient.
If you are seeking public patient care, please refer to the relevant hospital's referral and outpatient process.
Does Dr Nicholls Participate in the No-Gap and Known Gap Scheme?
Yes.
Dr Nicholls participates in the No-Gap scheme for his public appointments at both:
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Northern Beaches Hospital
This means that if you have appropriate private health insurance and present to either hospital with a trauma-related condition, you may be able to be admitted and managed as a private patient within the public hospital, subject to the hospital's eligibility and admission arrangements.
Where the No-Gap arrangements apply, Dr Nicholls will manage your care under the applicable hospital and private health insurance arrangements without charging you a gap for his professional medical services.
Please note: No-Gap arrangements relate to Dr Nicholls' public hospital appointments and are separate from elective private surgery undertaken in a private hospital.
If you are unsure whether the No-Gap arrangements apply to your circumstances, our team can provide general guidance; however, you should also confirm your eligibility and level of cover directly with your private health fund.
Private Patient Care
If you choose to see Dr Nicholls as a private patient through his private rooms, fees will apply to your care.
There will be a fee for:
Your initial consultation. This fee will be communicated at the time of booking, including the expected Medicare rebate. Private health funds do not generally provide benefits for private specialist consultations.
Subsequent review appointments. This fee will be communicated at the time of booking, including the expected Medicare rebate. Private health funds do not generally provide benefits for private specialist consultations.
Surgery, if you and Dr Nicholls decide that a private surgical pathway is appropriate.
Dr Nicholls sets his professional fees with reference to the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended fee structure and guidance.
Our team will always discuss applicable fees with you so that you have a clear understanding of the costs associated with your care.
Elective Private Surgery
If, following your consultation, surgery is considered an appropriate treatment option and you elect to proceed as a private patient in a private hospital, Dr Nicholls' professional fees will apply.
Our practice will provide you with a detailed fee estimate and breakdown before your surgery.
This will outline the professional fees associated with your operation and the care provided by Dr Nicholls and his team.
Importantly, the surgical fee estimate will include the post-operative care and management provided by Dr Nicholls and his team for up to 12 months following your operation, as outlined in your fee estimate.
Your fee estimate will clearly identify:
The Medicare item number(s) applicable to your operation
The professional fee for the operation
The post-operative care included within the surgical fee
The applicable Medicare rebate
The expected private health insurance benefit, where applicable
The estimated out-of-pocket amount