Dr Mooney’s fees are based on those recommended by the Australian Medical Association. We believe in being transparent about fees.
Dr Mooney’s surgical fees are based on the rates recommended by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) — the national body that assesses the real cost of running a safe private practice and recommends fair and reasonable fees to surgeons.
In July 2021, the Federal Government changed the Medicare rebates patients receive following surgical procedures. In most cases, rebates were reduced or left unchanged despite rising costs. Some patient rebates were removed entirely.
Even with top-level private hospital cover, Medicare and your health fund will typically cover only part of the surgical fee. The remainder — the gap — is your out-of-pocket cost. This is not unique to Dr Mooney’s practice — it affects private orthopaedic surgeons across Australia.
Most orthopaedic consultations and procedures attract a Medicare rebate. A valid GP referral is required to claim it. Without a referral, you will receive no Medicare contribution.
Private health insuranceIf you have private health insurance with hospital cover, your fund will contribute toward the cost of your hospital stay, theatre fees, and anaesthetist fees. Your policy’s excess and any gap payments will affect your final out-of-pocket cost.
The surgical fee gapThe gap between the AMA-recommended surgical fee and the Medicare plus health fund rebate is the amount you pay out of pocket. This varies between procedures and between funds.
Other costsIn addition to the surgical fee, a hip or knee operation involves separate fees from the anaesthetist, the hospital (theatre, ward stay, implants), and any post-operative imaging. These are billed and rebated separately from Dr Mooney’s fee.
After your surgical procedure is booked, Dr Mooney’s team will issue a financial consent document. This sets out the full surgical fee, the expected Medicare and health fund rebates, and your estimated out-of-pocket cost — clearly and in writing, before anything proceeds.
The full surgical fee is payable before your operation. After your procedure, your Medicare rebate and any private health fund rebate are processed and paid directly back to you by Medicare and your insurer. Dr Mooney’s practice does not claim from Medicare or your health fund on your behalf.
If you have any questions about fees at any point, please call the rooms. (08) 7077 0157
A Medicare rebate applies to consultations where a valid GP referral is held.
| Consultation type | Standard fee | Aged Pension fee |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation | $220 | $200 |
| Review consultation | $130 | $110 |
Aged Pension rate applies to Centrelink Aged Pension card holders. Please advise the rooms at time of booking.
Second opinion consultationsSecond opinion consultations are charged at $550 for the initial assessment, reflecting the additional work involved in collating prior imaging, operative reports, and clinical history. Dr Mooney does not see second opinion requests for WorkCover or third-party claims.
Dr Mooney does not participate in known-gap schemes. However, a small number of private health funds contribute at the full AMA rate for surgical procedures. Where this applies, Dr Mooney bills the fund directly — meaning no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.
Due to confidentiality obligations, Dr Mooney’s rooms are unable to publish a list of participating funds. To find out whether your fund qualifies, call the rooms with your health fund details before your procedure. (08) 7077 0157
A valid GP referral is required to claim the Medicare rebate on your consultation and any subsequent procedure. Without a referral, you will pay the full fee with no Medicare contribution. Your GP can refer you based on symptoms alone.
You can still be seen and treated by Dr Mooney without private health insurance. You will be responsible for the full out-of-pocket cost of any procedure, as health fund rebates will not apply. Call the rooms to discuss options.
Dr Mooney operates primarily in the private system. For public patients requiring hip or knee surgery in Adelaide, referral to a public waiting list at a public hospital is the appropriate pathway. Your GP can advise on this.
Call Dr Mooney's rooms with your health fund details and the procedure being considered. We can provide a written estimate once your procedure is confirmed. You can also call your health fund directly — they can advise on their rebate for a specific MBS item number, which the rooms can provide.
Call the rooms or submit an online enquiry. The team is experienced at walking patients through their costs.
The information on this page is provided as general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual circumstances vary — please consult Dr Mooney or your GP to discuss your specific situation.