Greg Hunt sounds alarm on 'excessive' medical fees following Dr Charlie Teo debate

Health Minister Greg Hunt has intervened in a public spat within the medical community over the out-of-pocket costs of surgeries.

Health Minister Greg Hunt has issued a warning to medical specialists over "very excessive" fees. Source: AAP

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has warned medical specialists against charging excessive fees, after brain surgeon Charlie Teo was criticised for the cost of his operations.

The high-profile neurosurgeon has been embroiled in a public spat with surgical colleagues after charging one of his patients $120,000 for a life-saving operation.

Neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo came under fire over the costs of his surgery. Source: SBS News

"It is my expectation, and the expectation of the leaders of the medical profession, that out-of-pocket costs incurred during private hospital treatment are modest, justifiable and proportionate to the circumstances of the patient," Mr Hunt told The Age on Monday.

He said he shared the concerns of medical colleges about the "small minority" of specialists overcharging and causing "material financial harm to patients" through out-of-pocket medical fees.

Health Minister Greg Hunt. Source: APP

High-profile surgeon, Dr Teo has come under fire for performing an operation on a 12-year-old girl whose family set a crowdfunding target of $100,000 to cover the expense. 

Dr Teo has accused the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons of trying to "purge" him, in the wake of the storm of criticism.