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Updated guide on informed financial consent

We have released an updated guide providing patients with information on informed financial consent to empower them to discuss costs with their doctor before undergoing medical procedures.

We’re pleased to share that the updated Informed Financial Consent Guide is now available.

Developed with the support of 30 medical colleges and associations, the Informed Financial Consent Guide provides patients with the financial health literacy they need to have discussions with their doctor about out-of-pocket costs.

The AMA encourages good Informed Financial Consent (IFC) practice and the provision of information about medical fees to patients. Patients should always ask their doctor about their fees, and the fees of other doctors involved in their care, before going to hospital as a private patient.

The IFC guide has helped thousands of doctors introduce best practice informed financial consent processes in their practices.

The updated guide also refers to the Australian Government Medical Costs Finder website, encouraging members to publish indicative fees and any gap arrangements for select services.   

The IFC guide includes:  

  • an Informed Financial Consent Form for doctors and patients to use together 
  • information on fees and medical gaps 
  • questions for patients to ask their doctors about costs. 

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