Fees & Payments

You have a right to be fully informed about the cost of treatment options. Please be sure to discuss the estimated total cost of your treatment with your surgeon before you are admitted for surgery.

We recommend that you request a written summary of the cost estimate. This estimate should show the cost of fees for healthcare professionals (e.g. surgeon, anaesthetist) as well as the costs for Mercy Hospital's services. 

If you have not received a written cost estimate prior to your admission and you proceed with your surgery, you will still be responsible for all costs incurred in connection with your hospital stay.

Health insurance pre-approval
If you carry health insurance, please contact your insurer prior to surgery and apply for pre-approval. You will be asked to provide a copy of the cost estimate and any other relevant medical information for your insurer to consider.

Southern Cross affiliated provider procedures
Mercy Hospital is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross, and there are a number of surgical procedures called 'affiliated provider procedures' for which Southern Cross members do not need to seek prior approval. Your surgeon will advise you whether or not your procedure is an affiliated provider procedure. If this is the case, then all you need to do is provide Mercy with your Southern Cross policy number and we will handle the prior approval for you.

ACC patients
ACC patients must have prior approval from ACC before your surgery can go ahead. 

SDHB patients
Approval for your procedure is managed between SDHB and Mercy Hospital. 

Self funding patients
If your surgery is not covered by health insurance or ACC, you may be asked to pay a deposit for the estimated Mercy Hospital costs relating to your procedure.

Following your surgery, you will usually receive separate invoices from:

• Your surgeon.
• Your anaesthetist.
• Mercy Hospital.
• Other health care professionals who may be involved in your treatment. For example, physiotherapists, occupational therapists.

Patients with health insurance
Please forward all invoices relating to your surgery to your health insurer, with a completed claim form. Once Mercy Hospital has received payment from your insurer, we will send you a receipt showing any outstanding balance that you need to pay. 

Patients with Southern Cross Health Insurance
As Mercy Hospital is an affiliated provider to Southern Cross, there are a number of procedures called 'affiliated provider procedures' for which invoice processing is streamlined, as explained below:

• Southern Cross affiliated provider procedures:
  If your procedure is an affiliated provider procedure, Mercy Hospital will handle the prior approval and claim for you. You will receive an invoice from Mercy Hospital for any excess and/or items not covered by your insurer.
• Southern Cross non-affiliated provider procedures:
  If your procedure is not an affiliated provider procedure, following surgery you will need to complete and submit a health insurance claim to Southern Cross. You will be required to pay any excess and/or items not covered by your insurer. 

ACC patients
Hospital accounts will be paid directly by ACC. You may receive an invoice for any ancillary charges incurred (e.g. toll calls, visitor meals etc.).

SDHB patients
SDHB patients having surgery at Mercy Hospital may receive an invoice for any ancillary charges incurred (e.g. toll calls, visitor meals etc.).

You can pay your Mercy Hospital invoice:

• Online via our payment portal.
• Internet banking direct to our bank account.
• By eftpos at our ground floor Reception desk.
• By credit card (Mastercard or Visa) at our ground floor Reception desk.

If you have questions about the fees associated with your surgery or cost estimates, please contact your surgeon's rooms.

Mercy Hospital accounts staff are also happy to assist you with any queries, via email or phone (03 467 6654).

Payment of your Mercy Hospital invoice is due within 14 days of the invoice date. Mercy Hospital reserves the right to charge interest at 2% per month (24% per annum) on all unpaid balances owing after one month from the date of invoice.