APPOINTMENTS
At ESD we make every effort to keep our waiting
list as short as possible. If you think you have a problem that requires
urgent attention, please see your family doctor first who can contact
one of our specialists to arrange an earlier appointment.
Wherever possible, we also endeavour to accommodate country
and overseas-based patients during their short stays in Sydney.
FEES
Our fees at ESD are generally in line with those
considered fair and reasonable by the Australian Medical Association
(AMA). Please note that we are a private medical practice. Free treatment
is available at major public hospital outpatients’ departments.
Payment for consultations is requested at the time of
your consultation. An account may be given where an additional service
has been performed. Pathology services are not included in the fees.
A separate account will be issued by the pathology provider if a specimen
is taken for testing.
Holders of a government-issued Aged Pension Card or government-issued
Health Care Card are offered a discounted fee, providing the entitlement
card is produced at the time of consultation. The practice accepts the
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card and White Card-Specific
if it covers skin problems.
If you foresee difficulties in paying for your treatment,
please do not hesitate to discuss this with your doctor at your first
consultation.
A number of procedures are classified by Medicare as being
purely cosmetic. You will therefore receive no Medicare rebate for these
services and GST must be added. Your doctor will tell you if your procedure
is not covered by Medicare prior to treating you (some medical procedures
may not have a Medicare rebate item number).
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Repeat prescriptions generally will not be issued without your condition
being reviewed.
REFERRALS
It is in your best interest to obtain a referral to ESD from your general practitioner. You should do this before
booking your appointment with us. A referral ensures that your doctor
will receive a report of your consultation with one of our specialists,
helping to keep your health record complete and up to date.
A referral also allows you to receive the maximum rebate
applicable when you claim your visit from Medicare.
A referral is your responsibility. It would be unethical
for you to ask one of our staff to contact your doctor for a referral.
A referral from a general practitioner generally lasts
for 12 months for the specified skin condition at your first consultation.
However your doctor may specify a shorter period of time.
A referral from another specialist is valid for only 3 months. An indefinite
referral or referral for periods longer than 12 months is only for the
original condition specified by your doctor. These referrals are to
be used where patients require regular, long-term follow-up, i.e. every
three to four months, to allow you to obtain reimbursement at a specialist
rate from Medicare. Where your follow-up is longer than this period
of time, Medicare may not recognise the validity of your indefinite
referral, resulting in a lower rebate to you.
A new referral is required if you seek treatment for a different problem.
INFECTION CONTROL
All materials and instruments used in the surgery are either single-use
disposable or sterilized by autoclave in accordance with the Australasian
College of Dermatologists sterilisation guidelines. All infection control
procedures are overseen by our registered nurses.
CONTACT
Please send all correspondence to:
Eastern Suburbs Dermatology
PO Box 1240
BONDI JUNCTION NSW 1355
Ph (+61) 2 9389 7333
Fax (+61) 2 9387 2609
