Hernia Surgery Cost in Brisbane
For adults with Medicare and Australian private hospital cover, a first-time groin (inguinal), femoral or umbilical (belly button) hernia that flattens when you lie down puts you on Dr Goutham Sivasuthan's $500 known-gap pathway. That $500 is his surgeon fee gap only — your hospital excess, anaesthetist and any other providers are separate. For everyone else, the fee is worked out individually. Either way it is confirmed in writing after your consultation, and the rooms help you confirm the rest before you decide.
This interactive checker needs JavaScript. All of its eligibility rules are also written out in full on this page below.
What "known gap" means
A known gap is an agreed out-of-pocket amount for your surgeon's fee. "Known" means you are given the exact figure in writing before your surgery, once your level of cover and the planned procedure are confirmed. It sits on top of what Medicare and your health fund pay. There is no pressure to proceed.
Known gap is not the same as an arrangement with no out-of-pocket cost. With a known gap there is a small, capped out-of-pocket amount for the surgeon's fee; under a fully covered arrangement there is none. Dr Goutham works under known-gap arrangements with participating funds. Whether your repair falls under one depends on your fund, your level of cover and the hernia itself, and the rooms confirm it with your fund before you decide.
A known gap is not your total cost. Your hospital excess, the anaesthetist's fee and any other providers involved in your care are billed separately. Ask your fund what your excess is, and ask each provider for their estimate — the rooms will help you do this before you decide.
Who the $500 known gap is for
Likely $500 pathway
- Adult with Medicare and Australian private hospital cover that includes hernia repair
- A groin (inguinal), femoral or umbilical (belly button) hernia
- The lump flattens or disappears on its own when lying flat and relaxed
- A first-time repair — one side or both
Personalised fee after review
- The lump does not flatten when lying down
- Recurrent or more complex repairs
- Epigastric, incisional and other abdominal-wall repairs
- No Australian private hospital cover, overseas visitor or student cover, or cover you are unsure about
A personalised fee is not a sign that surgery is unsuitable or that it will be expensive. It means the fee depends on your cover, your hernia and the planned approach, so Dr Goutham works it out once he has examined you and reviewed your imaging.
Why hernia surgery costs vary
Hernia repair is not a single operation. A small first-time inguinal hernia in a fit patient is a very different procedure to a large recurrent incisional hernia needing component separation, and the cost reflects that. What changes the fee:
- The hernia type — inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional, ventral, recurrent
- The surgical approach — open, keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic-assisted
- Whether mesh is required, and which mesh is used
- Whether the repair is one side or both, first-time or recurrent
- The hospital, and the anaesthetic time the operation needs
- Your cover — your health fund, your level of cover and any excess
Your cost picture
| Surgeon (Dr Goutham) | $500 known gap if you are confirmed eligible, otherwise a personalised amount confirmed in writing after your consultation |
|---|---|
| Hospital | Your policy excess, if you have one. Confirm the amount with your fund |
| Anaesthetist | Billed separately by the anaesthetist, who provides their own estimate |
| Other providers | Only if your care needs them, and confirmed beforehand |
| Initial consultation | Separate from surgery and Medicare-rebatable with a valid GP referral |
You can also compare typical out-of-pocket costs for your procedure on the Australian Government's Medical Costs Finder.
Ancillary fees explained
The total cost of hernia surgery is not just the surgeon's fee. The other parts, each billed separately, are:
- Anaesthetist fee — billed by the anaesthetist directly. Many anaesthetists also offer known-gap arrangements; the rooms will give you their contact details so you can confirm.
- Hospital or day-surgery facility fee — usually covered by your private hospital cover. The hospital contacts you directly about any expected excess.
- Pathology — only if tissue is sent for analysis, which is uncommon for a routine hernia repair.
- Imaging — only if an ultrasound or CT is ordered before surgery. Bulk-billed where possible.
- Mesh and implants — standard mesh is included in the hospital fee. A specialist mesh may carry an additional cost, which is quoted in advance.
Medicare item numbers
These are the Medicare item numbers most often used for hernia repair. They let you check the surgeon-fee part of your quote against the Medicare schedule. All apply to patients aged 10 and over.
| 30648 | Groin (inguinal) or femoral hernia repair, by open or keyhole approach |
|---|---|
| 30621 | Umbilical, epigastric or linea alba hernia repair requiring mesh or other repair |
| 30651 | Ventral hernia repair closed with sutures, with or without an onlay or intraperitoneal mesh |
| 30655 | Ventral hernia repair with advancement of the rectus muscles to the midline |
| 30615 | Emergency repair of a trapped hernia (strangulated, incarcerated or obstructed), without bowel resection |
The first two are the items behind the $500 known-gap pathway. Medicare item numbers are updated periodically by the Department of Health and Aged Care, and more than one item can apply to a single operation, so the exact codes for your procedure are confirmed in your written quote.
What you receive in writing
Dr Goutham reviews you first — fees are not quoted before that. After your consultation, and before you decide anything, you receive a written quote setting out:
- Dr Goutham's surgeon fee and your known-gap amount
- Where relevant, the hospital and anaesthetist fees
- Your initial consultation, which is separate and is Medicare-rebatable with a valid GP referral
Our supported process — no pressure to decide
- Consultation. Dr Goutham examines you, confirms the hernia type and discusses the options that suit your situation. Bring your GP referral and a list of your current medications.
- Written quote. You receive a written quote with the expected fees broken down — surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital, and pathology if relevant. Medicare and health-fund rebates are shown so you can see your expected out-of-pocket.
- Take it home. Review the quote in your own time. There is no pressure to book on the day of your consultation.
- Ask questions. If anything in the quote is unclear, call or email the rooms and we will go through it line by line.
- Book. Once you are comfortable, we book the procedure at the hospital that suits you best.
About the surgeon & fees
Fees apply only to procedures personally performed by Dr Goutham Sivasuthan — a Specialist Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgeon, Australian-trained through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), GESA-accredited (Gastroenterological Society of Australia), UQ MBBS (AHPRA MED0002000354). Every case is unique: size, location, complexity and the surgical approach all affect cost, so your exact known-gap amount is confirmed in writing before any procedure. There is no obligation to proceed.
Frequently asked questions
Is $500 the total cost of my hernia surgery?
No. The $500 is Dr Goutham's surgeon known gap for eligible patients. Your hospital excess, the anaesthetist's fee and any other providers are separate, and each is confirmed in writing before you decide.
How much does inguinal hernia surgery cost in Brisbane?
For eligible adults with Medicare and Australian private hospital cover, a first-time reducible inguinal (groin) hernia repair attracts Dr Goutham's $500 surgeon known gap. Your hospital excess, the anaesthetist's fee and any other providers are separate. If you are not eligible, your fee is worked out individually and confirmed in writing after your consultation.
What does "known gap" mean?
It is an agreed out-of-pocket amount for the surgeon's fee, given to you in writing before surgery, on top of what your health fund and Medicare cover. It is not the same as an arrangement where there is no out-of-pocket amount at all.
Why does the hernia need to flatten when I lie down?
A hernia that flattens on its own when you lie flat is described as reducible. These repairs are generally more predictable to plan, which is why a known-gap figure can be set in advance for eligible patients. Never force or push a painful lump back in — if it will not flatten and is painful, seek medical assessment.
How much will I be out of pocket overall?
It depends on your fund, your level of cover, and the hernia and technique involved. Your written quote after the consultation shows the expected surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital amounts together, so you can see the whole picture before deciding.
Will I get a written quote before surgery?
Yes. After your consultation, your surgeon fee and known-gap amount — and, where relevant, hospital and anaesthetist fees — are confirmed in writing before you decide, with no pressure to book.
Can I get a quote over the phone?
No. Dr Goutham needs to examine you and review any imaging before he can put a fee in writing, because the hernia itself and the planned approach both affect it. Book an appointment and your written quote follows the consultation.
Is the consultation covered by Medicare?
An initial consultation is separate from surgery and is Medicare-rebatable when you have a valid GP referral.
Does private health insurance cover hernia surgery?
Hernia repair is generally covered for patients with appropriate Australian private hospital cover. Your out-of-pocket amount depends on your fund and level of cover, and is confirmed in writing beforehand.
I have overseas visitor or overseas student health cover — does the $500 apply?
No. The $500 known gap is set for patients who have Medicare as well as Australian private hospital cover. Overseas visitor and overseas student policies work differently, so your fee is worked out individually and confirmed in writing after your consultation.
What if I do not have private health insurance?
The rooms can prepare a personalised written estimate for self-funded surgery after your consultation. Mention it when you make your appointment.
Next step: your exact known gap is confirmed in writing after Dr Goutham has reviewed you. Request an appointment or call (07) 3333 5518.