Could you ask your DR to charge the same as medicare covers for his fee so that way you're not out of pocket for that amount? My OB/GYN (who only operates in a private hospital)did this earlier this year for me but for a D&C (and I've been under her for many many many years) and my anaesthetist cost $300 and I could claim some of that back through medicare..I think I was out of pocket about $170 for that part but the private hospital theatre fee was $1250 which I couldn't claim anything back.

I just had a Laparoscopy yesterday for removal of endo and my PHI covered it all except for the $250 excess..I was very silly last year and let my PHI lapse for a few months so had to serve the waiting periods again so that's why I wasn't covered earlier in the year.