Pricing for excision procedures is complicated. We can usually provide a price estimate for your procedure, but in some cases the fee can only be finalised after pathology results are available.
An excision is a procedure where the doctor surgically removes some skin and then closes the defect (hole) using stitches.
Excisions vary widely. Some of the variables include:
- Size
- Body location
- Number of stitches and layers of stitches
- Amount and type of supplies, drugs, equipment and dressings used
- Time taken to perform the procedure
- Amount of follow-up required after the excision
- Suspected clinical diagnosis
We can predict some of these variables before the procedure, but some are unknown. This means we can provide an estimated quote for a procedure, but the final amount will sometimes be different.
In most cases, the cost of an excision procedure is subsidised by Medicare (for Australian citizens). Our fee for an excision is calculated so that the amount paid by Medicare is approximately half of the total. The amount paid by Medicare varies according to the location on the body and size of the excision, as well as the pathology result. This means that the Medicare rebate — and the total fee — is unknown until after the procedure. (See examples below.)
As a rough guide, the most common fee we charge is about $195. This fee applies if:
- The size of the excision is less than 15 mm
- The location is not on the face, lower leg, or other cosmetically/technically challenging areas
- The pathology result is not skin cancer.
In cases where the pathology result diagnoses a skin cancer, or where the procedure is in other locations, or the size is larger, the fee will be higher. For example, the fee for excision of a large melanoma may be more than $600.
If we can't advise the total fee at the time of performing the procedure, we'll do so when your pathology results are available. This is normally 4-5 days after your procedure. When the total fee is known, we will contact you to arrange payment.
We offer a discount for pensioners, Health Care Card holders, DVA card holders and children under 18. The discount fee is equal to the Medicare schedule fee (not the Medicare rebate) rounded up to the nearest $5. Note: You must present a current and valid Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or DVA card when you attend for your appointment. Discounts are offered at our discretion and may be withheld for patients who have previously missed appointments or cancelled at late notice. We don't offer a discount for Seniors Card holders.
Pricing tables
All fees include aftercare for the procedure, including removal of stitches, dressing changes, management of complications such as infection, bruising or bleeding. (Elective low level light therapy to enhance wound healing is not included.)
Notes
- Fees take effect from 5 February 2023.
- Medicare rebates as at 1 November 2022. (Note: These rebates have not increased in two years, and in some cases have actually decreased.) For more up-to-date information, follow the item number links to the MBS Online website.
- These prices are exclusive of fees for skin flap or graft procedures, which will be added to the amount specified.
- In most cases, if a wider re-excision procedure is required, there will be no out of pocket expense for the procedure. The exception is melanoma: The combined rebate paid by Medicare for excision of a suspected melanoma followed by re-excision with wider margins has decreased by almost $200 since 2022. This means we must charge out-of-pocket expenses for both the initial excision and re-excision of melanoma.
Moles and other benign (non-cancer) lesions
Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, other non-melanoma skin cancers
Suspected melanoma
Melanoma
Skin pathology fees
If you are covered by Medicare, the pathology laboratory will bill Medicare directly for the skin pathology service.
If you are not covered by Medicare, the laboratory will send a account for histopathology. We cannot advise the exact price, but it is normally in the area of $200 for the first specimen, and less for subsequent specimens. Some health insurance policies for international visitors cover the cost of skin pathology.