A point of honest framing
One of the most useful things a patient considering cosmetic surgery in Australia can understand is the financial framework — specifically, why the same operation can attract a rebate through one practitioner and not through another. This article is the plain-English explainer of that framework, focused on what it means for patients considering procedures at Dr Konrat's practice.
The headline: Medicare rebates and private health insurance rebates do not apply to procedures performed at Dr Konrat's practice. Everything else in this article is context for what that means and what alternatives may exist for patients in specific situations.
Why this is the case
Dr Konrat is a cosmetic doctor (MBBS, FACCSM, AHPRA MED0001407863). The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) — the list of medical services that attract a Medicare rebate — is structured around procedures performed by specific practitioner pathways. Procedures performed through a cosmetic-doctor practice are classified as cosmetic and do not attract a Medicare rebate, regardless of whether the same procedure performed by a different practitioner might.
This is not a quirk of one practice. It is how the Australian Medicare framework works. Procedures classified as cosmetic — whether because of the patient's reason for surgery, the practitioner's classification, or both — sit outside the rebate system. There is no application or appeal process to change that classification on a case-by-case basis.
Private health insurance benefits are generally tied to Medicare item-number billing. Because no Medicare item number is billed for procedures at this practice, no private health insurance benefit applies either.
What this means in practice
When you book a consultation at this practice, the fee structure is straightforward:
- The consultation fee is paid out of pocket. No rebate.
- The surgical fee is paid out of pocket. No rebate.
- The anaesthesia fee is paid out of pocket. No rebate.
- The facility (theatre) fee is paid out of pocket. No rebate.
- Follow-up appointments are paid out of pocket. No rebate.
A personalised fee estimate is provided after consultation, covering the total cost of the planned procedure. The total is what you pay. There are no surprises, no part-rebates, no later claims to lodge.
Item numbers exist — but not through this practice
This is the part that most often confuses patients researching online. Several MBS item numbers exist that can apply to procedures within the scope of this practice:
- Item 45659 — can apply to paediatric otoplasty for prominent ears in some circumstances
- Item 35533 — can apply to labioplasty in some circumstances (labiaplasty topics are handled by Dr Konrat's other practice, Labiaplasty Sydney, not this practice)
- Other items — various item numbers exist for breast and body procedures with specific medical indications
When patients search for these item numbers, the search results often imply that the item number itself guarantees a rebate. It does not. The item number is one part of a multi-part framework that also requires:
- A Medicare-billing practitioner (which means a specific practitioner classification)
- Specific clinical criteria (which vary by item)
- A recognised facility billing arrangement
- Often, an additional referral pathway
The item number exists. The framework around it is what determines whether a particular patient through a particular practitioner can claim it. Procedures performed at this practice do not meet the practitioner-classification part of the framework, regardless of the patient's clinical situation.
What to do if rebate eligibility matters to you
For patients who think they may meet the criteria for a Medicare rebate through a different practitioner pathway, the right next step is a conversation with the GP. The GP can:
- Assess whether your clinical situation might meet item-specific criteria
- Refer you to a practitioner whose practice bills the relevant items
- Help you understand what the rebate amount would actually be (often less than patients expect)
- Discuss the out-of-pocket gap that typically still applies even with a rebate
This conversation belongs with the GP rather than with this practice. The GP has the broader medical context, the awareness of other practitioners in your area, and the impartial position to advise on the most appropriate pathway. This practice does not refer patients to specific other practitioners — that introduces a conflict that the GP referral pathway exists to avoid.
It is worth understanding that even Medicare-rebated procedures usually involve significant out-of-pocket costs. The rebate covers a portion of the schedule fee, which is often less than the actual cost charged by the practitioner. Patients sometimes find that the difference between the rebated pathway and a fully out-of-pocket pathway is smaller than they expect.
Why being honest about this matters
Some practices structure marketing around vague hints that "Medicare may apply" or "insurance may cover some costs", leaving patients to discover at consultation that the rebate they expected is not available. This practice does not.
Being clear about the financial framework upfront serves patients better than the alternative. Patients can:
- Plan their finances accurately
- Have an informed conversation with their GP about alternative pathways if relevant
- Decide whether to proceed without later discovery of unexpected costs
- Trust that other information from this practice is also straightforward
There is no version of cosmetic surgery in Australia that is cheap. Patients deserve to know the total cost before they decide whether to proceed.
The fee estimate process
After the first consultation, you receive a personalised fee estimate in writing. It covers:
- The practitioner fee (Dr Konrat's fee for the operation)
- The anaesthesia fee (set by the anaesthetist independently)
- The facility fee (set by the recognised facility independently)
- Any specific items (drains, garments, post-operative consumables)
- Follow-up appointments included in the package
The estimate is not a quote that changes — it is what you pay, assuming the planned procedure does not change. If the surgical plan changes between the first and second consultation (which is uncommon but possible), the estimate is updated.
There are no membership fees, no surprise charges at follow-up, no add-ons billed separately after the fact.
Payment plans
Payment plan options are sometimes available depending on the procedure and the patient's circumstances. This is discussed at consultation. Payment plans are not a substitute for the rebate — the total cost remains the same; the plan affects how it is paid over time.
The framework summary
For procedures at this practice:
- ❌ No Medicare rebate
- ❌ No private health insurance benefit
- ✅ Personalised fee estimate provided after consultation
- ✅ Total cost is what you pay — no surprises
- ✅ Payment plans may be discussed
- ✅ Patients whose situation might warrant a Medicare-funded pathway through a different practitioner are encouraged to discuss with their GP
When this article is enough
If you are researching cosmetic surgery costs and the question of Medicare rebates is unclear, this article should give you a complete picture for procedures at this practice. The financial conversation at the first consultation builds on this framework with a specific fee estimate for the procedure you are considering.
If you are considering a procedure and the financial implication is the central question, the consultation is the right step. You can ask all financial questions openly, get the personalised estimate in writing, and decide whether to proceed with full information.