No, you do not need a GP referral to see a specialist in Australia however, having a GP referral allows you to receive the Medicare rebate (ie: recoup a portion of your consultation fee) and allows your GP to send a referral letter with your full medical history detailed, which is essential for your doctor to review. We strongly recommend speaking to your GP prior to seeking a consultation with us, simply to ensure that your issue cannot be managed by your primary care provider or a more appropriate specialist.
In clinic
Private health insurance does not cover what is done in the rooms (unless you are an in-patient or 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, you will then be provided with a receipt to claim directly from your provider.
Surgery
No, you are not necessarily required to have private health insurance to be a patient in a private hospital. A ‘self-funded’ patient is someone who doesn’t have Private Health Insurance, but pays directly themselves for their medical treatment upfront. This consists of the specialist’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee, the surgical assistant’s fee and the hospital’s fee. It’s the hospital fee which makes up the vast majority of the cost.
Public Hospitals
If you are a Medicare card holder and your treatment is performed in a public hospital, there will be no fees associated with your care.
Ready to take the next step in your health, fertility or pregnancy care? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialist.