This FAQ section answers common questions about seeing Dr. Samuel Duff for orthopaedic care – including referrals, appointments, insurance, costs, hospital options, and what to expect during visits.
You’ll find clear answers to help you better understand your options, costs, and what to expect before and after surgery.
Yes, to be eligible for a Medicare rebate, you must have a valid referral from a GP or specialist.
This also applies if you’re planning private surgery and want to claim from your private health insurance.
Tip: Make sure your referral is current before every appointment to ensure rebate eligibility.
If your GP or specialist has already sent a referral to us, we will contact you within 2–3 business days.
(Fees as of July 1, 2026)
Appointment Type | Standard Fee | Concession | Medicare Rebate |
Initial / New Problem | $280 | $200 | $88.40 |
Follow-Up | $160 | $100 | $44.45 |
Dr. Duff performs surgery at both private and public hospitals in the WA region, depending on your insurance status:
Private Hospitals – for patients with private health insurance or self-funding:
Dr. Duff offers anterior hip replacements and robotic knee replacement procedures at both facilities.
Public Hospitals – for eligible patients referred through the public system:
If you do not have private health insurance, ask your GP to refer you through the Central Referral Service for access to these public facilities.
To be seen in private rooms, you must have:
If not, ask your GP to refer you through the public system (via CRS).
Dr. Duff’s private clinic cannot accept public patients directly.
There are several costs to surgery, each with pricing dependent on factors such as your procedure, your private health insurance company, and the level of cover you might have
All patients booking surgery will be provided with an Informed Financial Consent fee estimate stating the proposed surgical item numbers and likely surgical gap fee.
We strongly recommend that you check with your health fund provider if you have the appropriate level of cover based on the proposed item numbers.
The fee estimate provided by our rooms does not include other hospital-related costs such as:
Estimated self-funded surgery costs at private hospitals:
| Procedure | Approximate Total Cost |
| Hip or Knee Replacement | $25,000 – $35,000 |
| ACL Reconstruction | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Arthroscopic Knee Surgery | $5,000 – $8,000 |
These include all major costs (surgeon, anaesthetist, assistant, hospital, prosthetics, imaging, etc.).
Use the Medical Costs Finder to explore average costs in Australia.
Your health insurance policy documentation includes a list of covered treatment categories (Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers).
Once your surgery is confirmed, we’ll give you item numbers so you can check directly with your insurer if it’s covered.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.
You may be asked to perform basic movements during your exam. Avoid skirts unless only your foot or knee is being examined.
We’re here to help. Book your appointment with Dr. Samuel Duff to get clear answers and expert orthopaedic care in Australia.
For further information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our reception team at (08) 6150 8379 or through the Request an Appointment page.
Dr. Duff operates across Perth’s leading private and public hospitals. From pre-operative planning to rehabilitation, each phase of your care is carefully coordinated.