Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
About making appointments
- Does Dr Won see public patients?
- Do you have a waiting or cancellation list?
- How do I get an earlier appointment?
About recovery after an operation
About our fees
- What is your consultation fee and Medicare rebate?
- Do you have discounted rates for pensioners?
- Do I have to have private health insurance to have an operation done at a private hospital?
- How are your surgical fees determined?
- What is the gap payment?
- Why is the fee for my surgery different from the estimate of fees?
- What is the 'Known Gap'?
- Do you participate in the 'No Gap' scheme?
- Why is there a gap charge?
- How is your discount calculated?
- What other charges can I expect to incur with surgery?
About foot and ankle surgery
- What is the difference between a podiatrist and a foot & ankle orthopaedic surgeon?
- Is Dr Won a foot & ankle orthopaedic specialist?
Does Dr Won see public patients?
Yes, Dr Won provides consultations to public patients in his rooms at standard rates. He currently has an appointment at The Tweed Hospital, where he performs operations and attends the Fracture Clinic. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee that Dr Won will be the person performing your surgery even if he was the person who saw you initially. This is the case for all public teaching hospitals.
Do you have a waiting or cancellation list?
Yes we do. Please contact our reception staff if you would like to be added to this list.
How do I get an earlier appointment?
If you feel that your matter is urgent and you need an earlier appointment, please ask your GP to fax us a detailed referral letter stating reasons for the urgency, and we will seek approval to expedite your appointment on a case by case basis. Please note that this is not always possible, as we only have a limited number of urgent appointments each week.
How much time off after surgery do I need?
Recovery time varies from person to person, depending on your health status, the injuries and/or operation(s) that you had, and the nature of your work or activities. As a ballpark figure, recovery to basic functions take approximately 2-4 weeks for minor operations, 6-10 weeks for fractures, and 3-6 months for a major operation. This may take longer in some cases, especially for certain foot & ankle operations. Your individual recovery, however, will be guided by Dr Won according to your progress following your surgery.
Can I drive after my surgery?
You may not be able to drive for up to 6 weeks following surgery on your lower limb if you have a manual vehicle. If you have an automatic vehicle, you may not be able to drive for 6 weeks if your surgery was on the right lower limb. However if the surgery was on your left lower limb, you may be able to drive, subject to clinical approval.
What is your consultation fee and Medicare rebate?
Our staff will inform you of your consultation fee and Medicare rebate when you book your appointment.
Do you have discounted rates for pensioners?
Yes, we offer discount on consultation fees for Centrelink Pension (blue) valid card holders. Please obtain the consultation fees at the time of booking your appointment.
Do I have to have private health insurance to have an operation done at a private hospital?
No, you do not have to have private health insurance. You can opt to be a 'self-funded' patient, but you will be responsible for paying all fees associated with your surgery, which includes, but is not limited to: surgeon's fee, the hospital, anaesthetic and implant companies fees – please see "Info for Patients".
How are your surgical fees determined?
Dr Won charges rates in accordance with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) schedule of fees, which reflect the complexity of surgery and involvement in the post-operative aftercare. Each individual health fund determines the rebate amount they are going to pay on your behalf in excess of your standard Medicare rebate.
What is the gap payment?
A gap payment is the difference between the actual cost of surgery and the rebate provided by your health fund and Medicare, also known as "out of pocket" expense.
Why is the fee for my surgery different from the estimate of fees?
Occasionally, during the surgery, additional procedures are required for your safety and optimal results. Unfortunately these cannot always be anticipated in advance and they result in additional fees. Therefore, it is important to note that the Informed Financial Consent given to you is an estimate only; the actual surgeon's fees can only be determined after the surgery is finished.
What is the 'Known Gap'?
A “Known Gap” scheme allows the patient to pay a set amount of gap prior to the surgery with the peace of mind in knowing that there will be no further out of pocket expense, regardless of the actual fee arising from the surgery. The rest of the surgeon's fee is then covered by the patient's health fund.
Not all health funds participate in the “Known Gap” scheme – please contact your health fund directly to find out whether or not they offer this option.
Do you participate in the 'No Gap' scheme?
Yes, Dr Won is a member provider in most health fund “No Gap” schemes. Our standard “No Gap” operations include hip replacement, knee replacement, and knee arthroscopy. Most other operations performed by Dr Won will attract a gap charge, however in some instances a “No Gap” arrangement will be considered on a case by case basis in accordance with our practice policies.
Why is there a gap charge?
Please see our article, Why is there a gap charge? (77.36 KB)
How is your discount calculated?
As an incentive, our practice gives 10% discount on the out of pocket expense or “Gap” portion to patients who pay the full amount within 14 days after the date of their surgery.
When producing your operation invoice, our staff will calculate the “gap” portion and apply the discount to that portion. Please note that this is not reflected in your invoice, as your invoice will only show the total fee and the discount applied, not the rebate amount. If you are unsure of the rebate amount, we recommend you find out from your health fund directly. In order to qualify for the discount, you must pay the full invoice amount within 14 days after the date of your surgery (not the date your invoice was generated or received).
What other charges can I expect to incur with surgery?
There are many people that may be involved in conducting your surgery - these include, but are not limited to: a surgical assistant, an anaesthetist, radiology, pathology, pharmacy, and the hospital. You may receive an account from any of these organisations, amongst others.
What is the difference between a podiatrist and a foot & ankle orthopaedic surgeon?
In Australia, podiatrists are allied health professionals who assist in assessment and management of foot problems. In general they can perform minor procedures involving skin and nail conditions, and some experienced podiatrists who deal with diabetic foot conditions may also perform bony debridement under pressure areas. A podiatrist may give advice on foot and ankle exercises, cushions, paddings and orthotics, both off-the-shelf and custom fit, and advice on shoewear.
On the other hand, a foot & ankle-trained orthopaedic surgeon can assess and manage complex foot problems, diagnose causes of deformities, and prescribe medical treatment. The surgeon can operate on bones, tendons, ligaments, soft tissues, and can change the structure of the foot. A surgeon who is recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is a fully qualified medical practitioner (ie. medical doctor) who has undertaken further training in surgery and achieved the specialist standards accepted by the Australian medical and general community. They have the capacity to admit patients to a hospital for inpatient treament as well as manage any potential complications before, during and after surgery.
When deciding to have an operation on your foot, it is important to verify that the person performing your surgery is appropriately trained, recognised and accredited to perform the procedure.
It is important to note that podiatrists in the USA have very different training to those in Australia, therefore information available on the internet regarding the range of surgical procedures performed by podiatrists in the USA may not reflect those in Australia.
Is Dr Won a foot & ankle orthopaedic specialist?
Yes, Dr Won is a foot & ankle orthopaedic surgeon. He obtained his general orthopaedic specialty qualifications in Australia then did further sub-specialty training in foot & ankle surgery during his fellowship in the USA.