Sydney has several major tertiary hospitals, specialist institutions and private medical centers capable of managing complex conditions that may require multidisciplinary teams, advanced imaging, intensive care, specialist surgery or long-term follow-up. The right hospital, however, depends far more on the medical problem than on a general reputation or a single hospital ranking.
A patient with cancer may prioritize an integrated oncology center, while someone needing heart transplantation, pediatric surgery, neurosurgery or a complicated joint replacement may need a very different institution. Public-versus-private status, specialist availability, Medicare eligibility, private health insurance, referral requirements and travel distance also affect the decision.
This guide compares prominent Sydney hospitals rather than assigning an unsupported numerical ranking. It covers major clinical strengths, public and private treatment options, costs, insurance considerations and practical questions to ask before arranging care. Hospital departments, visiting specialists and insurance agreements can change, so patients should confirm current arrangements directly with the hospital and treating doctor before making medical or financial decisions.
How to Choose a Sydney Hospital for Specialized Treatment
A hospital’s name alone is rarely enough to determine whether it is the right choice. For highly specialized care, the more useful question is whether the institution has the clinical team, diagnostic services, operating facilities and supporting departments required for your particular diagnosis.
Large tertiary hospitals are particularly valuable when several medical specialties may need to work together. Someone undergoing complex cancer surgery, for example, may require oncology, pathology, radiology, intensive care, rehabilitation and other services during the same episode of care.
Before choosing a hospital, consider:
- Specialist expertise: Does the hospital have a dedicated unit for the condition or procedure you need?
- Multidisciplinary care: Can medical, surgical, imaging, pathology and rehabilitation specialists coordinate treatment?
- Emergency and intensive care capability: This may matter for high-risk or complex procedures.
- Public or private treatment: The financial and referral pathways can be very different.
- Specialist admitting rights: A surgeon or physician may work at only certain hospitals.
- Travel and follow-up: Some treatments require frequent outpatient appointments for weeks or months.
- Insurance arrangements: Private patients should check both hospital and doctor billing arrangements.
- Clinical suitability: Your referring doctor can help determine whether a particular service is appropriate for your diagnosis.
Leading Sydney Hospitals for Specialized Medical Care
The institutions below include major public tertiary hospitals, dedicated specialist centers and prominent private hospitals. They are not presented as a numbered ranking because clinical suitability varies according to condition, doctor, treatment complexity and patient circumstances.
| Hospital | Location | Areas Commonly Associated With the Hospital | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Prince Alfred Hospital | Camperdown | Complex medicine, surgery, transplantation, cancer, cardiology and neurosciences | Public tertiary hospital |
| Westmead Hospital | Westmead | Trauma, cancer, cardiac, neurological, renal and complex tertiary care | Public tertiary hospital |
| St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney | Darlinghurst | Cardiac care, heart and lung transplantation, complex surgery and specialist medicine | Public teaching hospital |
| Royal North Shore Hospital | St Leonards | Trauma, neurosciences, cardiac care, cancer and complex surgery | Public tertiary hospital |
| Prince of Wales Hospital | Randwick | Neurosciences, respiratory medicine, cardiac care and complex medical and surgical services | Public tertiary hospital |
| Chris O’Brien Lifehouse | Camperdown | Cancer diagnosis, surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology | Specialist cancer hospital |
| Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network | Randwick and Westmead | Complex pediatric medicine and surgery | Public specialist children’s network |
| Macquarie University Hospital | Macquarie Park | Neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiac services, oncology and specialist surgery | Private university hospital |
| St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney | Darlinghurst | Cardiac, orthopedic, neurological and other specialist surgery | Private hospital |
| Mater Hospital Sydney | North Sydney | Orthopedics, maternity, cancer, cardiac and specialist surgical care | Private hospital |
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Location: Camperdown, inner-west Sydney
Official website: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, commonly known as RPA, is one of Sydney’s major public teaching and tertiary referral hospitals. Its scale makes it particularly relevant to patients with complicated medical conditions requiring multiple specialist departments rather than a single isolated procedure.
Major Areas of Specialized Care
RPA provides a broad range of tertiary medical and surgical services. Areas associated with the hospital include transplantation, cancer services, cardiovascular medicine, neurosciences, gastrointestinal medicine, renal medicine, respiratory care and complex surgery.
The hospital’s proximity to the University of Sydney and other clinical and research organizations also places it within a significant academic health precinct.
Who May Consider RPA?
Patients referred for complicated conditions, tertiary specialist assessment, transplantation-related care or procedures requiring extensive medical support may be directed to RPA. Access to individual services depends on referral criteria, urgency and clinical need.
Medicare-eligible patients admitted as public patients generally follow the NSW public hospital system. Patients considering private treatment within a public hospital should ask how specialist, accommodation and other charges will be handled.
Westmead Hospital
Location: Westmead, Western Sydney
Official health district: Western Sydney Local Health District
Westmead Hospital is a major tertiary referral center serving Western Sydney and patients referred from beyond its immediate region. It forms part of the large Westmead health and research precinct, where adult, pediatric and specialist services are located close to one another.
Major Areas of Specialized Care
Westmead provides complex medical and surgical services across areas such as emergency and trauma care, cancer, cardiovascular medicine, neurosciences, renal care and other tertiary specialties.
Its broad clinical infrastructure can be especially relevant when a patient’s condition involves several specialties or requires critical care and advanced diagnostic support.
Practical Considerations
Public specialist services generally require referral and may use clinical prioritization rather than patient preference alone to determine appointment timing. Patients traveling from elsewhere in New South Wales should ask how much follow-up must occur at Westmead and whether some appointments can later be transferred closer to home.
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
Location: Darlinghurst
Official website: St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney is a major teaching hospital with a particularly strong association with cardiovascular medicine and advanced heart and lung care. It also provides a wide range of specialist medical and surgical services.
Cardiac and Transplant Services
St Vincent’s is widely associated with complex cardiac treatment and heart and lung transplantation programs. Patients with advanced cardiovascular or cardiopulmonary disease may therefore encounter St Vincent’s when referred for highly specialized evaluation or treatment.
The hospital also provides services in areas such as infectious diseases, oncology, neurosciences and complex surgery. Exact eligibility for highly specialized programs depends on detailed medical assessment and referral criteria.
Public and Private Options
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney and nearby St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney are separate parts of the broader St Vincent’s healthcare presence in Darlinghurst. Patients should clarify exactly which facility their specialist intends to use because admission arrangements, insurance and patient charges can differ.
Royal North Shore Hospital
Location: St Leonards
Official health district: Northern Sydney Local Health District
Royal North Shore Hospital is a major public tertiary and teaching hospital serving Northern Sydney as well as patients referred for specialist services. It offers a broad spectrum of complex medical, surgical and emergency care.
Specialist Treatment
Clinical areas include trauma care, cardiac services, neurosciences, cancer treatment and complex surgery. The hospital’s tertiary role means it can manage patients who need advanced diagnostic services, critical care or coordination among several specialist departments.
North Shore Private Hospital is located nearby but operates as a separate private facility. A specialist may practice at one or both hospitals, making it useful to ask where a proposed procedure can be performed and what the financial implications are for each option.
Prince of Wales Hospital
Location: Randwick
Official website: Prince of Wales Hospital
Prince of Wales Hospital is a major tertiary hospital in Sydney’s Randwick health precinct. Its location close to specialist pediatric and women’s hospitals creates an important concentration of clinical expertise in southeastern Sydney.
Clinical Strengths
The hospital provides specialist services across neurosciences, respiratory medicine, cardiovascular care and a broad range of complex medical and surgical disciplines. Patients whose diagnoses require tertiary-level investigation or multidisciplinary treatment may be referred to particular Prince of Wales units.
A Larger Specialist Precinct
The Randwick precinct also includes Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Royal Hospital for Women. This proximity can be particularly useful for complicated cases requiring input from different specialist institutions, although each hospital has its own admission and referral pathways.
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Location: Camperdown
Official website: Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
For patients specifically researching cancer hospitals in Sydney, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is an important institution to investigate. It is a dedicated comprehensive cancer hospital located within Sydney’s Camperdown medical precinct.
Integrated Cancer Treatment
Services cover multiple aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, medical oncology and radiation oncology, alongside supportive and multidisciplinary services.
This integrated model can reduce the need for a patient to coordinate completely separate oncology providers. However, treatment pathways differ by cancer type, stage, previous treatment and individual medical circumstances.
Questions for Cancer Patients
Before scheduling treatment, ask whether your case will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, which specialists will bill separately, whether pathology and imaging need to be repeated, and how chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery will be funded under your particular circumstances.
Cancer treatment expenses can involve more than the hospital itself. Medical specialists, diagnostic imaging, pathology, medications and follow-up care may have separate funding or billing arrangements.
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Main locations: Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead
Official website: Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
Children needing highly specialized hospital treatment are generally better assessed within pediatric services designed around the medical, surgical and developmental needs of infants, children and adolescents rather than simply being treated as smaller adult patients.
Complex Pediatric Care
The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network includes major pediatric services at Randwick and Westmead and provides a wide range of specialized children’s medicine and surgery.
Which campus is appropriate depends on the child’s condition, specialist team and referral pathway. Families facing complex pediatric treatment should ask where investigations, surgery, rehabilitation and long-term outpatient monitoring will occur, particularly when traveling from regional New South Wales or overseas.
The Royal Hospital for Women
Location: Randwick
Official website: Royal Hospital for Women
The Royal Hospital for Women is a specialist women’s and newborn hospital within the Randwick precinct. Patients may be referred for complex maternity, neonatal, gynecological and other specialized women’s health services.
For high-risk pregnancies or conditions involving both maternal and newborn care, access to specialized hospital teams may be more relevant than choosing a facility primarily for accommodation or convenience.
Macquarie University Hospital
Location: Macquarie Park
Official website: Macquarie University Hospital
Macquarie University Hospital is a private hospital associated with Macquarie University’s health and medical precinct. It is an option for patients seeking private specialist treatment and has facilities supporting a variety of complex surgical and medical services.
Specialized Private Treatment
Clinical areas include neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiovascular care, oncology, urology and other specialist surgical disciplines. The specific specialist is particularly important in private care because doctors generally determine where they admit and operate.
Before Booking
Private patients should obtain information from both the hospital and specialist. Hospital fees and doctors’ professional fees are not necessarily the same bill. An anesthetist, assistant surgeon, pathology provider or imaging service may also charge separately.
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney
Location: Darlinghurst
Official website: St Vincent’s Private Hospitals
St Vincent’s Private Hospital Sydney provides private specialist and surgical care within the Darlinghurst medical precinct. Patients researching cardiac, orthopedic, neurological or other complex elective surgery may encounter specialists who admit there.
As with any private hospital, the most useful comparison is not simply the hospital’s reputation. Patients should examine the individual specialist’s experience with the required procedure, hospital facilities, expected rehabilitation needs and the complete financial estimate.
Mater Hospital Sydney
Location: North Sydney
Official website: Mater Hospital Sydney
Mater Hospital Sydney is a private hospital providing a range of medical and surgical services. Areas for which patients commonly research the hospital include orthopedic surgery, maternity care, cancer treatment and cardiac-related services.
For major elective procedures such as joint replacement, patients should ask whether rehabilitation will occur as an inpatient, through an outpatient program or at another facility. This can affect both recovery planning and out-of-pocket expenses.
Public vs Private Hospitals in Sydney
Australia’s healthcare system makes the public-versus-private decision substantially different from the equivalent decision in countries such as the United States.
| Issue | Public Patient in Public Hospital | Private Patient |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor choice | Generally treated by the hospital’s clinical team | Greater ability to select an admitting specialist, subject to availability |
| Hospital charges | Eligible Medicare patients generally receive covered public hospital treatment | Hospital, medical and other charges can apply |
| Elective treatment timing | Based on clinical prioritization and public system capacity | May offer different scheduling options depending on doctor and hospital availability |
| Private insurance | Not required for treatment as a public patient | May contribute to eligible hospital treatment, subject to the policy |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Usually substantially different from private admission for eligible public patients | Can include excesses, gaps and non-covered services |
The Australian Government provides information about Medicare, while PrivateHealth.gov.au explains private health insurance policies and terminology.
A person eligible for Medicare who is admitted and treated as a public patient in a public hospital is generally covered under Australia’s public hospital arrangements. Private treatment works differently, and insurance does not automatically mean the patient will have no out-of-pocket expenses.
How Much Does Specialized Hospital Treatment Cost in Sydney?
There is no single reliable price for specialized treatment in Sydney. A cancer operation, spinal procedure, cardiac intervention or joint replacement can involve very different resources depending on diagnosis, complexity, hospital, doctor, anesthesia, implants, medications and length of stay.
Publishing an arbitrary average can therefore be misleading. A quotation should be based on the actual proposed procedure and the patient’s funding arrangements.
| Service | Cost Considerations | What Can Change the Final Amount? |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist consultation | May involve a Medicare benefit and a patient gap where applicable | Doctor’s fee, Medicare eligibility and consultation type |
| Private surgery | Can include hospital and several professional charges | Surgeon, anesthetist, assistants, theatre, prostheses and length of stay |
| Cancer treatment | Funding depends on treatment setting and individual services | Drugs, radiation, surgery, imaging, pathology and treatment duration |
| Diagnostic imaging | May be included in hospital care or charged separately | Scan type, provider, Medicare arrangements and admission status |
| Rehabilitation | May involve inpatient or outpatient services | Duration, facility, insurance and clinical requirements |
Why a Hospital Quote May Not Be the Final Cost
A hospital estimate may cover the facility but not every medical professional involved in the procedure. Australian private patients may receive separate accounts from a surgeon, anesthetist, assistant surgeon, radiologist, pathologist or other provider.
An unexpected complication or longer admission can also change the final cost. Before treatment, ask each provider for written information about anticipated charges and whether they participate in any relevant insurer gap-cover arrangement.
Questions to Ask About Costs
- What is the hospital’s estimated charge for my planned admission?
- What excess or co-payment applies under my insurance policy?
- Are my surgeon and anesthetist charging above the applicable benefit?
- Will pathology, radiology or other specialists bill separately?
- Are implants or prostheses involved?
- Could rehabilitation require another admission or separate insurance authorization?
- What changes financially if my hospital stay is longer than expected?
Private Health Insurance and Hospital Treatment
Private hospital insurance can contribute toward eligible hospital treatment, but coverage depends on the patient’s specific policy. Simply having private health insurance does not establish that every procedure, hospital or doctor is fully covered.
The Australian Government’s private health insurance information service is a useful starting point for understanding policy categories and comparing cover.
Check Your Policy Before Admission
Ask your insurer to confirm whether the clinical category relevant to your procedure is covered and whether waiting periods, exclusions, restrictions or an excess apply.
Then contact the hospital. Insurer and hospital agreements can affect what the insurer pays for accommodation and other hospital services. These agreements can change, so confirmation should be based on your proposed admission rather than an old hospital list.
Medical Gaps Are Separate
Hospital insurance and doctors’ fees should not be treated as the same financial question. Doctors practicing privately generally set their own fees. The difference between a doctor’s fee and the amount covered by Medicare and the insurer may create an out-of-pocket expense.
Ask the surgeon’s office whether other doctors will participate in the procedure and how to obtain their fee information before admission.
International Patients Seeking Treatment in Sydney
International patients need to investigate funding arrangements before assuming Medicare will apply. Eligibility depends on factors including residency status and, for some visitors, Australia’s reciprocal healthcare arrangements with particular countries.
Official eligibility information should be checked through Services Australia.
Some visitors use Overseas Visitors Health Cover or other international insurance. Coverage varies considerably between policies, particularly for pre-existing conditions, elective treatment and planned medical travel.
Documents an International Patient May Need
A hospital or specialist may request a medical referral, diagnosis, pathology reports, imaging files, medication information, previous operation reports and insurance or funding documentation.
Patients arranging planned treatment from overseas should also ask:
- Whether the hospital accepts international or self-funded patients for the required service.
- Whether a specialist must review medical records before admission can be considered.
- Which deposit or financial guarantee requirements apply.
- Whether the quoted amount includes doctors, imaging, pathology and medications.
- How long the patient may need to remain in Sydney after treatment.
- Who will manage follow-up after the patient returns home.
Medical travel should be planned around clinical requirements rather than the earliest possible flight home. The treating team should advise when travel is medically appropriate following surgery or intensive treatment.
How to Compare Hospitals Beyond Reputation
Hospital reputation can help create a shortlist, but specialized care should be evaluated at the service and clinician level.
1. Look for the Relevant Specialist Unit
A hospital known for cardiac medicine is not automatically the preferred hospital for complicated orthopedic oncology or pediatric neurosurgery. Start with the condition and identify hospitals providing the required specialty.
2. Examine the Treating Specialist
Ask about the doctor’s specialty qualifications, clinical focus and experience managing your particular condition. In Australia, practitioner registration can be checked through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
3. Consider Supporting Services
Complex cases can require intensive care, pathology, interventional radiology, blood banking, rehabilitation or subspecialist consultation. These supporting capabilities can be more important than room amenities.
4. Ask How Follow-Up Works
A technically successful procedure may still involve months of surveillance, physiotherapy, medication management or specialist reviews. People traveling long distances should understand which appointments must occur in Sydney.
5. Compare the Complete Financial Pathway
For private treatment, compare expected hospital charges, insurance benefits, medical gaps and post-discharge costs. A lower initial hospital estimate does not necessarily mean the entire episode of care will cost less.
Questions to Ask Before Scheduling Specialized Treatment
A short conversation with the hospital and specialist can prevent many administrative and financial surprises. Useful questions include:
- Is this hospital routinely used by my specialist for this procedure?
- Does my condition require a tertiary or subspecialty center?
- Will my case be reviewed by multiple specialists?
- What investigations must be completed before admission?
- What is the anticipated length of stay?
- Could intensive care be required?
- What rehabilitation is normally required afterward?
- Which fees are charged by the hospital and which are charged by individual doctors?
- What should I confirm with my private insurer?
- Who should I contact if symptoms worsen while waiting for treatment?
Choosing the Right Sydney Hospital for Your Needs
Sydney offers a strong mix of major public tertiary hospitals, dedicated specialist institutions and private hospitals. RPA, Westmead, St Vincent’s, Royal North Shore and Prince of Wales are important tertiary centers, while institutions such as Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network provide highly specialized models of care. Private options including Macquarie University Hospital, St Vincent’s Private and Mater may also be relevant for patients arranging privately funded specialist procedures.
The most sensible choice is based on clinical expertise for your diagnosis, the treating specialist, supporting hospital services, location and follow-up requirements rather than an unsupported overall ranking. Public patients should understand the referral pathway and Medicare arrangements. Private patients should obtain hospital and medical fee information separately and verify their insurance benefits before admission.
For a serious or uncommon condition, discuss the shortlist with a qualified medical practitioner who understands your diagnosis. The hospital that is highly suitable for one specialist procedure may not be the right institution for another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hospital in Sydney?
There is no single hospital that can responsibly be described as the best for every patient or medical condition. Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead, St Vincent’s, Royal North Shore and Prince of Wales are major tertiary hospitals, but specialized institutions may be more appropriate for particular needs. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, for example, focuses on cancer care, while Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network provides pediatric services. The correct comparison should be based on the specialty, individual clinical team, treatment required and personal circumstances.
Which Sydney hospital is best for cancer treatment?
Several Sydney hospitals provide cancer services, and the appropriate center depends on cancer type, stage and required treatment. Chris O’Brien Lifehouse is a dedicated comprehensive cancer hospital in Camperdown. Major tertiary hospitals including RPA, Westmead, Royal North Shore and Prince of Wales also provide oncology-related services. Patients should compare the relevant tumor-specific specialists, multidisciplinary care, surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology and clinical follow-up rather than choosing solely from an overall hospital reputation.
Which Sydney hospital is known for heart treatment?
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney has a particularly strong association with advanced cardiac and heart and lung transplant care. Other major Sydney hospitals also provide cardiology and cardiac services. The most appropriate center depends on whether the patient needs routine cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart treatment, cardiac surgery, advanced heart-failure management or transplantation. A cardiologist or referring physician can recommend a service suited to the exact diagnosis.
What hospital should I consider for specialized children’s treatment?
Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network operates major pediatric services at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. These hospitals provide specialist children’s medicine and surgery across many disciplines. Which campus is appropriate depends on the child’s condition and specialist referral. Families should ask where treatment, surgery, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up will take place before making travel or accommodation arrangements.
Is treatment free at public hospitals in Sydney?
For people eligible for Medicare, treatment as a public patient in a public hospital is generally covered under Australia’s public hospital arrangements. Different financial rules apply if someone elects to be treated privately or is not eligible for Medicare. Ambulance services, outpatient services and other healthcare expenses can also have separate rules. Patients should confirm their status with the hospital and consult Services Australia for current Medicare eligibility information.
Does private health insurance cover Sydney private hospitals?
Private hospital insurance may contribute toward eligible treatment, but coverage depends on the individual’s policy, treatment category, waiting periods, exclusions, excess and hospital arrangements. Doctors can also charge fees that create a medical gap. Patients should ask their insurer about the proposed procedure and hospital and obtain written fee information from the hospital, surgeon and other expected medical providers before admission.
Can I choose my surgeon in a Sydney public hospital?
Patients treated as public patients are generally cared for by the hospital’s clinical team rather than receiving the same level of individual doctor choice associated with private treatment. A particular specialist may still participate in the patient’s care depending on the hospital service and clinical circumstances. Patients for whom individual surgeon choice is a priority can discuss public and private pathways with their referring doctor.
How can I check whether a Sydney specialist is properly registered?
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency maintains the national practitioner register. Patients can use the official AHPRA website to verify a medical practitioner’s registration and listed specialties where applicable. Registration is only one part of choosing a doctor; patients may also want to ask about the specialist’s clinical focus and experience with the specific condition or procedure involved.
Can international patients receive specialized treatment in Sydney?
Potentially, although acceptance depends on the hospital, specialist, clinical circumstances and funding arrangements. International patients should not assume that Medicare applies. Hospitals may request medical records for clinical review and may require evidence of insurance, a payment guarantee or self-funding arrangements. Visitors should confirm Medicare or reciprocal healthcare eligibility through Services Australia and discuss costs directly with the relevant hospital.
How can I obtain an estimate for private hospital treatment?
Start with the admitting specialist to identify the exact procedure and proposed hospital. Ask the hospital for an estimate of relevant facility charges and then obtain fee information from the surgeon, anesthetist and other expected providers. Contact your insurer using the procedure and hospital details to determine benefits, exclusions, excesses and likely patient responsibility. Because complications or a longer stay can change expenses, an estimate should not be treated as a guaranteed final bill.
Are private hospitals better than public hospitals in Sydney?
Not necessarily. Sydney’s large public tertiary hospitals provide many highly complex services that may not be available in every private hospital. Private care can offer advantages such as greater doctor choice and different scheduling arrangements for some elective procedures. The clinically appropriate setting depends on the condition, required technology, specialist team, emergency support, insurance and patient preferences rather than public or private ownership alone.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist at a Sydney hospital?
Many specialist services require a referral, particularly within the public hospital system. Private specialists also commonly require or strongly prefer an appropriate medical referral, and referral status can affect Medicare benefits for eligible services. Referral rules differ between clinics and specialties. Contact the specific outpatient department or specialist practice before arranging travel or assuming that an appointment can be booked directly.
Medical and informational disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Hospital services, referral criteria, doctors, fees and insurance arrangements can change. Confirm current clinical and financial information directly with the hospital, treating practitioner, Medicare or your insurer before making healthcare decisions.