Do you offer bulk billing?
As a rule, no. However, we may choose to bulk-bill a patient at our discretion.
We operate a full-service private practice with leading clinical and administrative staff, along with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic clinical technology, which enables us to offer patients a truly high-quality clinical experience. This service is not possible to run on a bulk-billing model, so there are reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with most consultations and procedures.
Do I need a GP referral?
No, you do not require a GP referral to see a specialist in Australia. However, a valid GP referral allows you to claim a Medicare rebate towards the cost of your consultation. It also provides your specialist with important background information about your medical history, symptoms, medications and previous investigations. We generally recommend speaking with your GP before your appointment, as some conditions may be appropriately managed by your regular doctor without the need for specialist care.
Do I receive the Medicare rebate?
If you are a Medicare card holder and want to claim the Medicare rebate, you will require a valid referral from a GP, another specialist or an approved allied health professional.
What if I do not have a Medicare card or I am an international patient?
Patients who do not have a Medicare card, such as international patients, or patients who do not want to claim the Medicare rebate, do not require a referral to attend our practice and will be billed at our standard rates.
How long is a referral valid for?
GP referrals are typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue, while referrals from another specialist are generally valid for 3 months. To remain eligible for Medicare rebates, your referral must usually be valid on the date of your appointment. If your referral has expired, you may need to obtain an updated referral before your consultation.
Can I use a referral made out to a different specialist?
Yes, in many cases you can. Referrals addressed to another specialist of the same specialty, for example another vascular surgeon, are generally still valid for Medicare rebate purposes. However, we recommend contacting our rooms before your appointment to confirm.
Do I require private health insurance to be a patient?
No, you do not necessarily need private health insurance to be treated in a private hospital. A self-funded patient is someone who does not have private health insurance but opts to pay directly for their medical treatment upfront rather than joining the public waiting list.
In-clinic fees
Private health insurance does not cover what is done in the consulting rooms, unless you are an inpatient of a hospital or an overseas visitor with international travel insurance. If you are an international visitor with the necessary insurance, full payment is required at the time of the consultation and you will be provided with a receipt to claim directly from your provider.
Surgical fees
The total surgical fee consists of your specialist's fee, your anaesthetist's fee, your surgical assistant's fee and the hospital's fee. The hospital fee makes up the vast majority of the cost, because it includes theatre fees, accommodation and food, hospital staff wages, medications and prostheses.
Public hospitals
If you are a Medicare card holder and you are treated as a public patient in a public hospital, there will be no fees associated with your surgery.
Do you offer telehealth consultations?
Telehealth may be available depending on the appointment type. Please ask our team when booking and we can confirm whether telehealth is suitable for your appointment. [PRACTICE TO CONFIRM: single telehealth policy, the source document gives three different answers]