What should I bring with me when I come for a scheduled office appointment?

Apart from medicare and your insurance information

• Referral letter from GP, family physician or other doctor
• Medicare card, DVA card, Pension Card
• Have your Private Hospital Insurance information with you
• Reports, X-Rays, MRI's, CT scans and any other relevant information
• A list of your current medications
• Names of other doctors you attend, so that they can be kept informed
• It is desirable that a family member attend with you so that other members of the family understand your condition

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff are bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. Ordinarily we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent (see our privacy policy).

Do I need a referral to make an appointment?

Most medical specialists will accept only referred patients. This is partly to try to ensure that the specialist you are seeing is appropriate for you and your condition, and also because Medicare pays higher rebates to you for specialist services if you have been referred.

How can my family doctor help me to obtain specialist medical care?

Before seeing any medical specialist, it is always preferable to talk to your own family doctor, who can discuss your condition with you and advise on whether any specialist care is appropriate. If it is, he or she can help you to choose the specialist best suited to your needs. Your family doctor can help the specialist to care for you better by providing relevant information about your health. Communicating with the specialist will also enable your family doctor to care for you better during and after your specialist treatment.

What should I expect during first visit?

At the initial visit, you will be asked a number of questions regarding the problem and undergo a physical examination. Depending on the complexity of the problem, you may be sent for further investigations and return for a second visit at which a course of management will be outlined. You will be encouraged to ask questions so that you fully understand your condition and the management proposed.

Can I see Dr Richardson for a second opinion?

Dr Richardson frequently sees patients for second opinions. Often these are patients suffering from cancer.

Can I choose which hospital to have my surgery in?

For patients with private health insurance they can generally choose which hospital to have their surgery in and Dr Richardson will discuss this with you.

How much will my surgical procedure cost?

Fees are set by two bodies – the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and the Australian Government. The fees set by Government have not kept pace with the Consumer Price Index and are now about fifty per cent of the AMA fee. Dr Richardson’s fees are based on the AMA fee and you will be given a written quote for any procedure which sets out your out of pocket expenses. Anaesthetic and ancillary services may attract other fees and you will be given contact information to obtain a quote prior to the procedure.

For consultation at Dr Richardson’s office there are standard fees which are discounted for pensioners. The fee for the consultation is payable at the time of consultation and a portion is then claimable from Medicare. Please contact our office to discuss the consultation fee.

Payment options include EFT, Visa and Mastercard.

Should I complete the patient form prior to my scheduled appointment?

Patient forms are available online should you wish to complete them prior to your appointment.