HCF's NO-GAP JOINTS PROGRAM
Now available at The George Centre
A first for our region!
We are now the first hospital in Sydney’s southwest to offer eligible HCF members the HCF No-Gap Joints Program which covers first-time unilateral and bilateral hip and knee replacement surgery.
About The George Centre Private Hospital’s Orthopaedic Service
As part of ACURIO Health, The George Centre is committed to transforming lives through healthcare innovation and providing a world-class orthopaedic service that allows our patients to access quality care and personalised treatment within our local region.
Together with our orthopaedic surgeons, our hospital and healthcare team are dedicated to providing excellence in care to each of our patients.
When you come to The George Centre as an eligible HCF member patient for the HCF No-Gap Joints Program you can expect to:
- have access to specialty orthopaedic surgeons
- be cared for by an orthopaedic multidisciplinary team
- be treated in modern operating theatres with highly skilled nursing teams
- be cared for in hotel styled patient rooms
- have choices from a fresh cook kitchen menu during your stay
- have access to specialist onsite services including a close monitoring unit (CMU), medical imaging, pathology, and specialised musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- have access to convenient parking in a co-located paid multi-deck carpark
- undergo extensive pre-admission assessment and testing
- have access to post-surgery rehabilitation
How do I get started on the TGC HCF No-Gap Joints Program?
HCF members ready to speak with a participating TGC orthopaedic surgeon about a hip or knee replacement can find fund-specific information that includes the applicable Medicare reference numbers here: No-Gap Joints/HCF. HCF members should contact HCF to check if they are covered.
HCF members can check eligibility by
- logging into the My Membership app or online member services
- by calling HCF directly on 13 13 14
- by email to service@myhcf.com.au
- by visiting a local HCF branch.
This program will end on the 14th July 2026 for HCF members.
How do I book an appointment with a HCF No-Gap Joints Program participating TGC Orthopaedic surgeon?
HCF members will need to book an appointment with the participating HCF No-Gap Joints Program surgeon of their choice directly with the surgeon’s rooms. Please let them know you are interested in the HCF No-Gap Joints Program.
TGC Orthopaedic Surgeons Participating in HCF's No-Gap Joints Program
Assoc Prof Sameer Viswanathan
- Suite 26, Level 2, 13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Richard Allom
- Suite 12, The George Centre, 1A The Hermitage Way, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Wagdy Ashaia
- Suite 26, Level 2, 13 Digitaria Drive, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Gobind Bal
- Suite 12, The George Centre, 1A The Hermitage Way, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Jay Dave
- The George Centre, Suite 12 Ground Floor, 1A The Hermitage Way, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Nick Hartnell
- 78 John Street Camden NSW 2570
Dr Min-Jae Lee
- 60A Derby Street, Kingswood, NSW, 2747
Dr David Lieu
- SOMA Health & Wellness Suite 3, Level 1 7 Gregory Hills Drive Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Dr Fred Nouh
- Suite 2, Level 1 42 Parkside Crescent Campbelltown 2560
The HCF No-Gap Joints Program
How does it work?
The HCF No-Gap Joints Program at TGC covers primary (first time) unilateral and bilateral hip replacement surgery and knee replacement surgery with approved participating orthopaedic surgeons. It provides eligible HCF members with no out-of-pocket costs for primary hip and knee replacement surgery except for your hospital excess fee (which will apply if this is your first admission in the calendar year) and other small permitted gaps.
What does the HCF No-Gap Joints Program at TGC include?
- Extensive pre-admission assessment and testing by a TGC clinical team member
- Primary joint replacement hip surgery and primary joint replacement knee surgery with an accredited TGC orthopaedic surgeon participating in the HCF No-Gap Joints Program by HCF with surgery performed at The George Centre private hospital
- Up to 3 nights hospital stay
- The prosthesis
- Surgeon’s costs
- Anaesthetist’s costs
- Assistant Surgeon’s costs
- Accommodation and theatre costs at TGC
- Customised rehabilitation as required to suit your needs by a TGC accredited provider
- Medications related to your surgical stay and admission (excludes discharge scripts)
- Diagnostic imaging and tests relating to your HCF No-Gap Joints Procedure at TGC provided when in hospital by Scan Medical at TGC
- Pathology tests relating to the HCF No-Gap Joints Program procedure provided when in hospital at TGC and by Australian Clinical Laboratories
- Physiotherapy services provided by a TGC designated physiotherapy partner in the home or outpatient clinic for a period of up to 6 weeks post-surgery
- One post-surgery consultation with your surgeon after your HCF No-Gap Joints hip replacement or knee replacement
Who is eligible for the HCF No-Gap Joints Program at The George Centre
To be eligible for this program you must be an active HCF Health Fund member and have had hospital cover with joint replacement included in your cover for 12 months. You must be accepted into the HCF No-Gap Joints Program by a participating clinician and TGC based on clinical criteria. You must also have served all applicable waiting periods.
The HCF No-Gap Joints Program is available until 14 July 2026 at TGC. Members must undergo the joint replacement surgery before the end date.
What is the patient selection criteria for inclusion in the program?
What is the HCF-No-Gap Joints procedure names and the Medicare benefit numbers?
| 49318 | Total arthroplasty of HIP, including minor bone grafting (if performed), other than a service associated with a service to which item 48245, 48248, 48251, 48254 or 48257 applies (H) |
|---|---|
| 49518 | Total replacement arthroplasty of KNEE, including either or both of the following (if performed) | (a) revision of patello-femoral joint replacement to total knee replacement; | (b) patellar resurfacing; other than a service associated with a service to which item 48245, 48248, 48251, 48254 or 48247 applies (H) |
| 49319 | Bilateral total arthroplasty of HIP, including minor bone grafting (if performed), other than a service associated with a service to which item MR645, MR650, MR655, MR660 or MR665 applies |
| 49519 | Bilateral total replacement arthroplasty of KNEE, including patellar resurfacing, other than a service associated with a service to which item MR645, MR650, MR655, MR660 or MR665 applies |
Can I choose my orthopaedic surgeon from the participating surgeons – and who are the surgeons?
Yes – you are able to choose your orthopaedic surgeon from one of TGCs participating orthopaedic specialists. The hip and knee orthopaedic surgeons at TGC participating in this program are:
A/Prof Sameer Viswanathan
Dr Richard Allom
Dr Wagdy Ashaia
Dr Gobind Bal
Dr Jay Dave
Dr Nick Hartnell
Dr Min-Jae Lee
Dr David Lieu
Dr Fred Nouh
What other important financial information do I need to know about the HCF No-Gap Joints Program at The George Centre?
For eligible HCF members, there are no sign-ups or hidden extra fees. Your hospital excess fee is payable based upon your insurance policy with HCF.
The consultations with your participating orthopaedic surgeon prior to your admission in the No-Gap Joints Replacement Program are not included and will require separate payment.
Medical costs and other costs for unrelated conditions and procedures (e.g. diabetes and cardiac conditions) are not covered in the HCF No-Gap Joints Program and additional costs may apply.
If there are any complications that arise during your hospital admission that require additional care or services beyond what is included in the HCF No-Gap Joints Program there may be additional applicable costs.
We recommend you speak with your participating HCF No-Gap Joints Program surgeon about the risks associated with your hip joint replacement surgery or knee joint replacement surgery to make sure you are aware of all details and that they obtain your signed informed Financial Consent relating to any additional costs.
Joint Replacement Surgery FAQ's
What are the different types of hip joint replacement surgery?
Orthopaedic surgeons can access the hip joint requiring replacement from 3 different angles. These are:
- Anterior approach. The surgical approach is from the front
- Posterior approach. The surgical approach is from the back
- Lateral approach. The surgical approach is from the side
The approach used by your surgeon will depend on several factors and this will be discussed with you during your pre-surgery consultation.
Are there complications with hip joint replacement surgery? What are they?
Hip joint replacement surgery is commonly performed surgery with approximately 52,787 surgeries of this type performed in Australia every year. However, all surgery carries the risk of complications. For hip joint replacement surgery, the most common complications include:
- Asceptic loosening
- Dislocations
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Fracture
What are some of the complications that can occur after hip joint replacement surgery?
How common are complications after hip joint replacement surgery?
How long does a hip joint replacement surgery take?
What is the prosthesis?
The hip replacement implant that replaces the natural hip is the prosthesis and has two parts:
- A ball that is attached to a stem which is inserted into the thigh bone (femur)
- A cup with an inner plastic layer that is attached to the socket part of the hip joint (acetabulum)
How long is the recovery time hip replacement surgery?
Each individual is different, however typical recovery usually involves:
- A hospital stay of up to 3 nights
- Post surgical recovery includes physio and/or rehab in the home or outpatient clinic depending on the clinical need
- Return to light activities at around 6 weeks post-surgery
- Full recovery allowing for most normal activities in 3 – 6 months
Your surgeon will be able to discuss this with you in greater detail.
How long does a hip replacement last for?
Are there complications with knee joint replacement surgery? What are they?
Knee joint replacement surgery is a commonly performed surgical procedure with over 68,000 knee replacement surgeries in Australia each year. However, surgery carries the risk of complications. For knee joint replacement surgery, complications can include:
- Infection
- Blood clots in the leg veins
- Problems adapting to the new joint
- Ongoing pain
- Injury to the nerves or blood vessels
How common are complications after knee joint replacement surgery?
How long does a knee joint replacement surgery take?
What is the prosthesis?
The knee replacement implant that replaces the natural knee is the prosthesis and is typically made up of a combination of metal and plastic and consists of three main components:
- The femoral component
- The tibial component
- The spacer
How long is the recovery time after knee replacement surgery?
Each individual is different, however typical recovery usually involves:
- A hospital stay of up to 3 nights
- Post surgical recovery includes physio and/or rehab in the home or outpatient clinic depending on the individual’s clinical need
- Return to light activities at around 6 weeks post-surgery
- Full recovery allowing for most normal activities in 3 – 6 months
Your surgeon will be able to discuss this with you in greater detail.
How long does a knee replacement last for?
After Your Surgery
After your joint replacement surgery, a TGC HCF No-Gap Joints Program participating physiotherapist will visit you on the ward and assist to mobilise you and commence your rehabilitation program.
It’s important to get you moving soon after the surgery to ensure you have the best recovery. Your TGC nurse and the physiotherapist will work with you to manage your recovery throughout your hospital stay and get you ready to go home.
Discharge Home
Our orthopaedic joint replacement team will work together with you to get you back in the comfort of your own home where you will be provided with support during your recovery period, with a customised rehabilitation program and at home physiotherapy as outlined in the TGC HCF No-Gap Joints Program contract details.
Review with your surgeon
After your joint replacement surgery, you will have one post-surgery appointment with your surgeon included in the HCF No-Gap Joints Program.
