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You’re right to feel frustrated. But the reason you’re out of pocket isn’t because your insurer refused to pay – it’s because of how the system is set up. And Australia’s Constitution is right at the heart of the problem.

The day before my operation, my anaesthetist called me for a quick chat – maybe five minutes while I was in the car. Then on the day of surgery, we spoke again briefly before the procedure. Now I’ve checked my Medicare records and found two charges for “pre-anaesthetic consultations” – one on each day. Is that right? It feels a bit dodgy.

Such a great question—and the answer might surprise you. It’s not just about inflation or rebates falling behind (though you’ve probably heard that a lot). The real reasons are a bit more complex.