Media release

Updated guide to help patients understand out-of-pocket medical costs

The Australian Medical Association has released an updated guide to informed financial consent, providing patients with information that will empower them to discuss costs with their doctor before undergoing medical procedures. 

Informed financial consent guide

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

AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen said dialogue between patients and doctors about fees for medical services is essential to help ensure patients understand and consent to the fee for a medical service. 

“Medical practitioners also need to take responsibility for ensuring patients are aware of their fees and should promote open discussions with patients about health care costs,” Dr McMullen said. 

“Providing information to patients about costs of their treatment is sound ethical, professional and business practice. 

“It shows respect for patients and their rights and ensures the patient is aware of any likely out-of-pocket costs and the financial implications of medical services.” 

The AMA has been working to support doctors to improve their informed financial consent practices, to educate the public, and to inform the policy debate. 

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 Informed Financial Consent (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. 

The AMA acknowledges the following medical colleges, associations and societies that have supported and co-badged the guide:  

  • Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists 

  • Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery 

  • Australian Society of Ophthalmologists 

  • Australasian College of Dermatologists 

  • Gastroenterological Society of Australia 

  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 

  • Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 

  • Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society 

  • Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons 

  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine 

  • Australian Diagnostic Imaging Association 

  • Australian Doctors Federation 

  • Australian Rheumatology Association 

  • Australian Society for Ultrasound in Medicine 

  • Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons 

  • Australian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 

  • Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons 

  • Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand 

  • Council of Procedural Specialists 

  • General Surgeons Australia 

  • Medical Oncology Group of Australia 

  • Medical Surgical Assistants Society of Australia 

  • National Association of Practising Psychiatrists 

  • National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 

  • Neuromodulation Society of Australia and New Zealand 

  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists 

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 

  • The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand 

  • Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand 

  • Australasian College of Sports and Exercise Physicians 

Media Contacts

Federal 

 02 6270 5478
 0427 209 753
 media@ama.com.au

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‌ @AustralianMedicalAssociation

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