The Sydney Melanoma Unit is a clinical unit of the University of Sydney. The Unit is not a public outpatient department and is required to fund its own basic clinical infrastructure costs including secretarial staff. All patients are billed for their direct clinical care. Referred consultations with the Unit's specialists receive a Medicare rebate. The fees charged by the Unit's specialists are broadly based on those recommended by the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Association of Surgeons. The SMU has since its inception some 40 years ago, ensured that no patient with melanoma is denied access to proper care. Any patient with limited financial resources should explain their circumstances to the clinicians or staff. Patients requiring surgery within a hospital will, in accordance with the overall format of the Australian health system, be required to elect whether they wish to be cared for by their "doctor of choice" or become a public (Medicare) patient.   

Referrals

A referral from a general practitioner or specialist is required in order for you to receive the full specialist rebate from Medicare.

Referrals from general practitioners are valid for only 12 months. If the practitioner is willing for the referral to last longer, they should provide an indefinite referral, as accepted by Medicare. Please note that if you change doctors, the referral from your previous doctor is no longer valid.

Referrals from specialists are valid for three months only. If you are in doubt about whether your referral is current, please check when you schedule your next appointment.

If you referral is not current, you will need to obtain a new referral from your general practitioner before your scheduled appointment date. It is illegal for any doctor to provide retrospective referrals. If you do not have a current referral at the time of your consultation you will be unable to claim the Medicare rebate to which you would otherwise be entitled.

Schedule of Fees

SMU specialist fees are generally consistent with those recommended by the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Association of Surgeons, which are charged by the majority of private practitioners in the community.

Rebates of either 75% or 85% of the scheduled fee amount (for inpatient and outpatient services respectively) are able to be claimed from Medicare, and private health fund rebates for the “gap” between the Medicare rebate and the scheduled fee can be claimed for inpatient services by those with private health insurance.

You will be informed of the relevant consultation fee when you make an appointment for an initial or follow-up visit, and if a surgical procedure is recommended, you will be advised of the fee which applies for this procedure.

Special arrangements are possible for pensioners, holders of Veterans Affairs cards, full time self-supporting students and those in financial hardship.