1. What is the difference between being a public patient and a private patient?

Although Dr Pacilli makes every effort to personally operate on patients he has seen in his consulting rooms, if you decide for your child to have surgery at Monash Children’s Hospital, you are not guaranteed that Dr Pacilli will perform the surgery. Depending on his availability, the surgery could be performed by another Consultant in conjunction with a Surgical Trainee.

The timing of the procedure cannot be guaranteed. Your child will be assigned to a “category” for the surgery, depending on the urgency, and your child’s name will be placed on the public waiting list. Waiting times are variable between 1 and 12 months. You will be notified of the date 2-3 weeks before the schedule date for surgery.
The main benefit for being treated as a private patient is choice. Your child’s surgery can be provided in a choice of private hospitals. You can also choose the date that is convenient to you. Also, most importantly, you are guaranteed that Dr Pacilli will perform the procedure. Your child’s surgery would also not be cancelled at short notice, unless on the rare occasion your child is unwell or there are other unforeseen circumstances. Whereas at Monash Children’s Hospital, if a more urgent case needs to be scheduled, your child’s case might be cancelled at short notice.

2. Does Dr Pacilli bill my private health fund directly?

Yes, Dr Pacilli will bill your Health Fund directly for his surgical fee. You might incur an out of pocket fee known as “gap”. Procedures have different costs, depending on a number of factors, including surgery complexity and duration. Dr Pacilli applies a very transparent and honest policy based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), a listing of the Medicare services subsidised by the Australian Government.

Depending on your health fund level of cover, you may have an excess to pay on your hospital charges.  Also the anaesthetist will charge you a gap and they will invoice you separately. Dr Pacilli advises you to check with your health fund that you are not serving any waiting periods or have any restrictions on your health fund. Dr Pacilli will provide you with the relevant MBS numbers to make sure that you are covered.

3. Can my child still be operated privately by Dr Pacilli if we do not have a health fund?

Yes, you also have the option if you are uninsured, or if your health fund is not covering payment for your child’s care, of paying the entire cost of private care yourselves. Dr Pacilli will provide you with a quote at the time of consultation based on the MBS number, the private hospital you choose and any gap payments for the assistant surgeon and anaesthetists fees.

4. I have completed the admission form online or posted my booking form but haven’t heard anything?

You will hear from Dr Pacilli, the anaesthetist and the hospital the week prior to surgery. Dr Pacilli will notify the anaesthetist and hospital of your booking so be rest assured the booking will be confirmed.