The cost of brain tumour surgery in South Africa

A brain tumour operation is billed by several parties: the surgeon, the anaesthetist, the assistant, the hospital, radiology (intra-operative navigation, post-op imaging) and pathology.

For patients on medical aid, most tumour surgery is covered as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit under South African law, meaning the medical aid must pay for it at the appropriate level. What you may be liable for is a co-payment where surgeon or anaesthetist fees exceed scheme rates.

My rooms will always obtain pre-authorisation from your medical aid before an elective operation. You will be given a written quote for my fee, and can request quotes from the hospital and anaesthetist too. This means you know the maximum you may pay out of pocket before you commit.

For cash-paying patients, a bundled quote from the hospital covering theatre, ICU (usually one night), ward stay and standard imaging can be arranged. My fee and the anaesthetist's fee are separate.

Never let cost concerns delay a genuinely urgent tumour operation without discussing it with us — there is often more flexibility than you would expect, and delayed treatment usually costs more in every sense.