FAQ’s

Billing Arrangements

• We BULKBILL standard consultations for all patients that have a current Medicare card, Monday to Friday.
• Saturday consultations for patients >16 years of age will incur a private fee.
• All overseas visitors/students without a Medicare card are privately billed.
• Certain services within the practice may incur a fee e.g. Procedures, bandages, travel vaccines, pregnancy tests. Please check with reception for a more detailed outline.
• Workcover consultations are the responsibility of the patient and will not be bulkbilled

Appointments

Our practice operates on an appointment system and the standard appointment time is 10 mins. The doctor will see urgent cases/emergencies first as they arise and this may cause a waiting time for some patients. If your appointment needs several problems discussed or is a more complex appointment please advise the booking receptionist so an appropriate time can be allocated.

Results

To obtain results an appointment with the referring doctor needs to be made. Your doctor will advise you when to expect the test results to be back. In general, we encourage you to book an appointment to see your doctor to follow up your results 2-3 days after you have had your blood tests, X- rays or other investigations. Our practice encourages you to take personal responsibility for your health, thus it is your responsibility to obtain your results. You must come back or ensure by some other means that you have obtained your results.

Results are not given over the phone

Reception staff members do not have access to patient medical records. If a receptionist contacts you they will simply pass on the message from the doctor.

Phone Messages

Telephone interruptions to the Doctors are only for emergencies. However if you would like to leave a message with the receptionist, we will endeavour to arrange the doctor to return your call.

Prescriptions

As we are committed to your care, it is necessary for patients to make appointments in order to have prescriptions written, irrespective of whether the prescription is part of an ongoing treatment. There are medical, ethical and legal reasons for not providing prescriptions without having a doctor-patient consultation.

After Hours Care

The doctors at our practice are linked to Family Care Medical Services to provide patients access to a home visit service after business hours. Details of these visits are conveyed to us to ensure optimum continuity of care. Alternatively you can present to your local hospital.

Vaccinations

All routine childhood, adult and travel vaccinations are available. Our practice is certified to give Yellow Fever vaccine. Travel to some countries may involve complex vaccinations schedules. It is recommended to see your doctor at least 6 weeks prior to departure. When booking appointments for vaccine please advise booking receptionist so the correct time can be allocated.

Referrals

A consultation is required for all specialist referrals. This enables the doctor to provide the specialist with the current details of your medical condition. Referrals are valid for 12 months and it is illegal to backdate a referral, so please make an appointment to see your doctor prior to seeing the specialist. To obtain any pathology or radiology referrals an appointment with the doctor is required.

Chronic Disease Management

There are government Medicare funded chronic health management plans available for our regular patients to assist you with a chronic health or a serious medical condition. These include Diabetes, Asthma, Heart attacks / failure, Chronic Musculoskeletal conditions and many others. Please make an appointment to see if you are eligible to access allied health care funded by Medicare. These include dietician, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist and many others.

Workers Compensation

Fees arising from injuries occurring at work are the responsibility of the patient. If you are entitled to work cover insurance, the account for the consultation can be sent directly to the work cover insurance after all the correct forms are completed by the patient and his/her employer.

Procedures

Many minor surgical (e.g. Mole and wart removal, fracture treatment, hormone implants) procedures are performed at our practice. A consultation is with the doctor is required before an appointment can be made for the procedure.

Recalls

We participate in recalls and reminders for abnormal test results, pap smears, Depo injections, vaccinations, health assessments and other health care areas. For further information on these please discuss with your doctor.

Transfer of Medical Records

If you wish to transfer your health record to another service provider please ask your new provider to send a transfer application form signed by you. Alternatively if you would like Jindalee Care Medical Practice to obtain records from another service provider please contact reception for a transfer application. Applications for the transfer of health records will be processed in 30 days of receiving the request. A transfer fee may apply.

Management of your Personal Health Information

Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff. This practice has a written privacy policy that is available to patients upon request.