[throwaway2990]

Sorry I meant cataract surgery. I just happen to be discussing eye laser surgery with a friend considering it.

Seems misleading for that site to say it’s free. There’s small fees which you end up paying that Medicare doesn’t cover. And afaik you require a referral for public hospital which is not covered.

[defrost]

I gave the situation in Australia - I have no idea which country the GP lives in.

I'd wager that small referral fees in Australia amount to considerably less than surgery costs in countries with no socialised health care systems.