Anaesthetic care for patients undergoing surgery, delivered with a focus on safety, clear communication, and evidence-based practice.
ABOUT
DR MATTHEW MATUSIK
MBBS FANZCA
Matthew is a specialist anaesthetist with appointments at various private hospitals around Melbourne with a special interest in anaesthesia for in ear, nose and throat surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Matthew is a fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists.
Matthew studied medicine at the University of Melbourne and undertook specialist training at St Vincent’s Hospital.
ANAESTHETC FEES EXPLAINED
The fee for your anaesthetic is separate from those paid to your surgeon and to the hospital at the time of your procedure.
Anaesthetists determine their fees based on the Relative Value Guide (RVG), which takes into account the nature, complexity, and duration of the anaesthesia service provided.
01
Anaesthesia Fees and Out-of-Pocket Costs
Most anaesthetic procedures will involve an out-of-pocket expense (also known as a “gap”). This is the difference between the anaesthetist’s total fee and the amount reimbursed by Medicare and/or your private health insurer.
The amount of the gap depends on the nature, complexity, and duration of the procedure.
Patients without private health insurance, or those undergoing cosmetic or longer procedures, may be required to pay the full fee.
Medicare and private health funds may rebate part of this fee. If the anaesthetist’s fee is not fully covered, you will be responsible for any out-of-pocket expense (also known as a “gap”). This is separate from your hospital excess.
Your quote will clearly outline whether your procedure is fully covered, partially covered, or requires full payment.
02
Receiving Your Quote
You will receive an SMS with a secure link to your quote and general information regarding your anaesthetic. To access your quote, please enter your date of birth when prompted.
03
Invoice and Payment Information
Our practice requires prepayment of anaesthetic fees. You will receive an SMS containing a secure payment link prior to your procedure.
Invoices are issued one week prior to surgery, once the finalised surgical list has been received from your surgeon’s rooms.
An itemised receipt will be issued within two weeks following your procedure. This can be used to submit claims to Medicare and/or your private health fund.
Your Questions, Answered
PREPARING FOR SURGERY WHAT NEXT?
Once your surgical booking is confirmed, we will provide an information via a secure sms link (birthdate is required to access). This information offers an overview of your anaesthetic, including fasting guidelines and advice on any necessary pre-operative medications.After you reach out, we schedule an exploratory call to understand your objectives, audience, timeline, and constraints. From there, we develop a proposal outlining recommended steps and deliverables for your review.
WHY DO I NEED TO FAST BEFORE SURGERY?
Fasting from food and drink is required for safety before any anaesthesia.
Adults
In adults, a fasting period of six hours for food is required. This means no food from midnight before a morning surgery and from 7:00 am for an afternoon surgery. Chewing gum, sweets, milk, drinks containing milk, and all tea or coffee must also be avoided during this period
However, adults undergoing elective surgery may drink clear fluids, such as water, clear apple juice without pulp, or cordial, in moderate amounts up to two hours before surgery. Clear fluids are defined as liquids through which you can read a newspaper.
Children
Children are encouraged to drink clear fluids, such as water, clear apple juice, or cordial, until two hours before surgery. In practice, this means until 6:00 am for a morning list or 11:30 am for an afternoon list. Allowing children to drink up to this time helps prevent dehydration and may increase their comfort after surgery.
WHAT IF I AM ON MEDICATION?
Most medications should be continued throughout the surgical period and taken at their usual time with a sip of water.
If you are on any of the blood‑thinning medication listed below, contact your surgeon’s office for specific instructions as some may need to be stopped prior to surgery. These include:
Aspirin
Warfarin (Coumadin®, Marevan®)
Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)
Apixaban (Eliquis®)
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)
Heparin
Clexane®
Clopidogrel (Iscover®, Plavix®)
GLP‑1 receptor agonists
If you take GLP‑1 receptor agonist medications (e.g. Ozempic®, Mounjaro®), patients must follow a 24hr prior to surgery clear fluid diet . Please follow current ANZCA recommendations (see link provided).
CONTACT WITH YOUR ENQUIRY
Further Assistance
If you have any questions or require further information regarding your anaesthetic account, please contact Dr Matthew Matusik Anaesthesia on T: 0493409532.
Our team will be happy to assist you.
