the initial appt/consult is 130 or 140 (can't recall which - have another appt same week and there is 10 difference in price) - you'll get some of that back from medicare
yes, you may not have PHI, but getting the consult and working out what needs to happen will be worth it. the specialist himself may deem it more urgent and nudge you up the list from non-urgent to a higher category.
if you DO have to go private for surgery, you'll have out of pocket costs but it will likely be day surgery, and you get back some of the fees from medicare as well (i've paid to have surgery in private hospital and got some of the fees back from medicare - can't recall the exact details, but i know i was expecting zip and got a decent amount back). this is what we will have to do seeing we no longer have PHI either - but it's worth it, IMO, to not wait two years or so for a consult