PATIENT INFORMATION
OUR FIRST SESSION
- This sets the goals of therapy and what we are trying to
achieve. Sometimes that can be done in the first session is there
is not need for another. Other times it may mean a number of
sessions. This will become apparent in the first session. It is
often a good idea to think about the issues that you want to discuss
with me and make a note of them for our first session. This way we can
make our discussion as productive as possible.
DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY
DOCTOR - When you have been referred by your doctor
it is normal practice for us
to liaise with them. This is to ensure that your doctor is
fully aware of our progress and that we are aware of any relevant medical
issues. If you do not want any discussions of your progress with
your family doctor, or any other relevant health
professional, just say so, but I will need to advise your doctor
that this is the case.
CONFIDENTIALITY
- Except for the above point, it is the policy of this practice that I
will not discuss your situation with anyone, including your spouse,
without your permission, unless I am required by law, such as in a
criminal matter. It my practice to neither confirm or deny,
to any inquirer, whether you are, or have been, under my care, unless
it is a proper legal authority. In making an appointment you agree to
allow us to keep records on you (such as your address, contact phone
number, email address, and clinical notes) as required under the
Privacy Act.
PAYMENT - Payment is made
at the conclusion of the session. We accept Visa and
MasterCard & EFT payments (but
a receipt is not issued until funds reach
our account).
THE INSURER IS PAYING FOR MY TREATMENT-
If your treatment costs are being covered by an insurance company or
third party,
such as in workers compensation claims. The insurure will need to
approve your treatment with me and usually require a first session,
then a report from me, and later they will either approve and not
approve subsequent treatment. There may be some delay between the
first session and subsequent follow up sessions. Contact your
insurance company or third party to discuss this issue.
MEDICARE – Under Medicare,
you are eligible for a
rebate on part of fee
for your consultation. In order to
obtain the rebate you must be referred by a medical
practitioner on a
Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Currently, you are entitled to a
rebate for up to 6 sessions in the one referral, and
another 4 sessions upon another
Health Care Plan being issued by your doctor. There will be a gap between the
fee you pay at the time of consultation
and the rebate given to you by Medicare.
HEALTH FUNDS - Many health
funds will give a rebate for your consultation; it depends
on which fund you are with and
what plan you are on. Please consult with your
health fund in the first instance.
CONTACT - In today's
modern world there are many ways to make contact with us.
The easiest way is via email and sms on our office mobile of 0498 95 7777.
CANCELLATION
LIST - If you need to see me urgently, let me know and I will do everything I can to get you as early an appointment as possible.
CANCELLATIONS & NON ATTENDANCE
- If you have to cancel
your appointment, please ring in as soon as possible, so
that your time slot can be given to someone else. Please note that there is a charge of
$250 + GST for not attending an
appointment or not providing 24 hours notice of
cancellation, unless there are exceptional
circumstances. If you do not attend an
appointment, and you have booked other
appointments, please contact us as soon as
possible, as those appointments
may be canceled if we do not hear from you.
If you cancel an
appointment with insufficient notice, and we are
able to fill it with a person on the cancellation
list, there will be no fee charged to you.
MEDICO/LEGAL
CANCELLATIONS & NON ATTENDANCE - If you are booked for a
medico/legal assessment by your solicitor and you cancel with less than
24 hours notice or do not attend there is a charge of $250 + GST.
This is because an entire day has been set aside to write up the report
for your solicitor. Please note that the industry standard is
that a full report fee is charged for non attendance. We do not
impose such a penalty, but merely charge a small fee to act as a
deterrent to those who may act irresponsibly.
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