Thank you for trusting us with your care
Please see the home page for current COVID 19 information and practice policies
The clinic’s responsibility to you:
- We will provide you with excellent and up-to-date care.
- We will listen to you and treat you with respect and compassion.
- We will inform you of the cost of your care in advance.
- We will communicate with your referring doctor to ensure continuity of care.
- We will deal with your health information confidentially.
- We always aim to run on time. If we are not running on time we will contact you.
Fees and payments
Your responsibility:
- Arrive on time.
- Be involved in the consultation and decision making.
- Pay your fee.
- Give at least 24 hours’ notice if your appointment needs to be cancelled so another patient can be scheduled.
Fees
COVID response:
- from March to June 2020 we bulk billed all appointments and office procedures.
- From July 2020 to December 2020, we will bulk bill all office procedures (endoscopy, ear microsuction, biopsies) and will provide discounted appointment fees to pensioners and health care card holders.
- From January 2021, we will continue to bulk bill all office procedures and will provide discounted appointment fees to pensioners.
Fees from January 2021
New patient appointment $230 (Medicare rebate paid to you $75.05)
Review patient appointment $115 (Medicare rebate paid to you $37.70)
South West Healthcare post operative appointment $70 (Medicare rebate paid to you $37.70).
Note that telehealth appointment fees are the same as in person appointment fees.
Pensioner are offered a 15% discount
There are no out of pocket costs for office procedures including endoscopy, microscopy and biopsy.
Medications administered by the surgeon may attract a fee, for example ear drops and injections.
For patients without a valid Medicare Card, a $400 non-refundable payment in advance must be made, before an appointment can be scheduled.
Payment
Our clinic is a private practice. Payment is required on the day of service. We do not bulk bill.
Prior to the appointment you will be provided with an email or letter detailing the cost of your consultation and any additional costs expected.
Reduced fees for pensioners and people with disabilities
There are no out of pocket costs for children and adults with profound disability, children with Down’s syndrome and other syndromes, and children and young adults attending special school.
Fees for pensioners are discounted by 15% for consultations.
How are procedures billed?
Procedures undertaken in the rooms are charged according to the fee schedule you will receive when your appointment is made. Payment for procedure in the rooms is required on the day of service. For surgical procedures in hospital, you will be provided with a quote prior to booking the procedure.
Why is there a difference between the private practice fee and the Medicare rebate?
Our fees are based on the actual costs of providing care for you. Medicare rebates do not reflect the real cost of your care. For more information see AMA gaps explained.
Medicare
A percentage of your fees is rebated by Medicare. We can arrange electronic transfer from Medicare to you if you have previously registered your bank account details with Medicare.
Is there a facility fee?
Our practice is equipped to undertake minor surgical procedures under local anaesthetic. A facility fee is charged in addition to the surgeon’s fee for the procedure. The facility fee covers medical supplies, sterilisation of equipment and the assistance of our experienced nurse during the procedure. When a facility fee is charged it is clearly stated on your invoice and cannot be claimed through Medicare.