WHAT TO BRING
- Referral
- Medications list – including non-prescription and physical health medications
- Paperwork – Administrative information (Medicare, Next of Kin) and Assessment or questionnaires (Academic reports, DIVA)
REFERRALS
With a valid referral, we are able to electronically send your claim to Medicare for the rebate. Please ensure you have registered your bank account details with Medicare for us to be able to do this for you. Private health insurance does not cover outpatient psychiatric consults. There are no rebates for non-attendance or late cancellation fees.
Dr Blenkin requires a referral, ideally from your GP (for a higher Medicare rebate), or other medical specialist. Referrals from GPs expire after 12 months, and specialist referrals expire after 3 months. A valid referral is needed in order to be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
If your new patient appointment has been cancelled or rescheduled more than three times and/or your referral is over 18 months old, your doctor may require a new referral to be sent in and reviewed again, before offering to reschedule again.
AFTER-HOURS COVER AND EMERGENCIES
Dr Blenkin works limited hours so to ensure patient safety in an emergency, Call 000 or attend your nearest hospital.
If care is required outside office hours, contact your GP clinic.
Dr Blenkin does not hold admitting rights, however, can help your GP facilitate hospital admission. Wait times may apply.
PAYMENT
Full payment is due after your in-person consultation.
For telehealth appointments, please call the office to pay over the phone.
No card details are stored. Payments are entered directly into the EFTPOS machine.
MEDICARE REBATES
We can submit your claim to Medicare electronically with a valid referral.
Please ensure your current bank details are registered.
More information can be found on the Medicare website or by telephoning 1800 011 163.
Private health insurance does not cover outpatient psychiatric consultations.
EXTENDED SAFETY NET
Once your out-of-pocket costs reach the yearly threshold, the rebate increases to 80%.
- Individuals: automatically tracked
- Families: must register each year
NON-ATTENDANCE / CANCELLATION
24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations.
Missed appointments incur a non-attendance fee.
Please leave a voicemail or email if the practice is closed, for staff to respond once we reopen.
No rebates are available for missed or late-cancelled appointments.
More than three changes, or a referral older than 12 months, will require renewal.
ZERO TOLERANCE
Dr Blenkin commits to maintaining a respectful, safe and professional environment for everyone. There is a zero-tolerance approach to abuse towards heath care staff.
If abuse occurs and is substantiated, Dr Blenkin may discontinue care.