I have an appointment on Friday and the clinic advised via email -
'The consultation is $150 however with a referral from your GP, Medicare will rebate you $78 for the consultation.'
Both GP's I normally visit charge me around $70 (happy going here as I am not sick often anyway)
If its not required should I bother or is it worth going to a bulk bill GP for a referral?
I think there is one of those chain GP's like MyGP or MyDoctors nearby but I think there is a membership fee to join?
Thanks, I was looking at qoctor just now.. as I have left it last minute and need to be on the other side of town by 10:30am in the morning getting a GP appointment is unlikely.
Sorry, I’m confused. Is this the fee for the appointment with the plastic surgeon, or to get the referral for that appointment from your usual GP?
If the latter, do other things while you are there. Get new scripts for your normal meds. Check out that weird mole. Get some routine bloods sorted.
You could absolutely try a new bulk billing place too. But depending on what it is for (if there is backstory etc, like you’ve had a bunch of tests done first or something, plastic surgery covers a lot of things, both cosmetic and medical), you might get some GPs wanting to explore other options first.
Also if this is something that will require care after the surgery, it will go back to the referring doctor, not your regular GP.
Just remember the referring doctor will receive a report from the plastic surgeon.
If its cosmetic don't bother getting a referral.
Its worth getting a referral if its medical. Not only you get Medicare rebate from the consultation but from the procedure as well if you will have something done. Without a referral you get nothing.
If you need subsequent appointments, in would be best to get a referral. Also, it might be wise to discuss procedure with GP.
Get a referral so you can claim back from medicare if applicable for your issue.
Total $150 to see a plastic surgeon seems pretty cheap, especially if it's a first visit.
You might think it'll only save you $8 so it is not worth it as your GP charges, but a referral lasts a year from the time they are written then a year from the time they are activated so it will cover your follow up appointments as well. The second visit may get a less rebate from Medicare (it depends on the item number a lot of subsequent visits pay less) but it could be like $8+$38+38 etc. I have never heard of a bulk billing place that requires a membership fee to join. The myhealth places seem to still be bulk bill (except on weekends where they charge a little extra and fair enough staffing much more expensive).
Edit: the 1 year validity is for GP referrals only as a FYI. Specialist referrals only last 3 months from when they are used.
If the GP's writes a referral to a specialist is a certain way it can be for 12 months. I have seen referrals that last 3 months and others that last 12 months to the same specialist. I have no idea what the differences are.
The referral doctor has to be a GP for it to last 12 months. If the referring doctor is a specialist the referral only lasts 3 months.
E.g. Gp to ophthalmologist = 12 months, paediatrician to ophthalmologist = 3 months
Apart from getting the referral, my main suggestion is to ensure you are seeing a qualified plastic surgeon and NOT a cosmetic surgeon.
Thanks guys,
Appreciate all the replies.
Its a mole removal (definitely benign) and the receptionist in our email exchange quoted $150, but the website advises $150-$250 depending on the nature of consult etc
This surgeon is very well regarded and I had to make this appointment back in August.
It's probably too late to see a 'legit' GP for a referral (work commitments etc) and appointment is 10:30am tomorrow and will take a decent amount of travel time.
Anyone had any experience with Qoctor? I've read some feedback but still not sure.. then again I am not getting a sick note or a prescription.. 'just' a referral..
Thank you!
No experience with them, but best of luck with your appointment. And follow the instructions post-op!
I think those telehealth GPs on the internet like updoc or qoctor do referrals. they are only 25$