Patient Information
Referrals
Referrals are accepted from General Practitioners, Specialists, Emergency Department doctors, public hospital doctors and Nurse Practitioners (when practising within scope). Referrals from online general practitioners are accepted.
These referrals are valid for Medicare purposes. This allows Medicare rebates to be payable for consultations, and Medicare and health fund rebates to be payable for surgery. There is no Medicare rebate available for steroid injections.
Referrals from General Practitioners (in person or online) are generally valid for 12 months from when you first see Dr Kingston. All other referrals are valid for three months. Patients are always encouraged to obtain a referral from the regular general practitioner.
Referrals are also accepted from hand therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and other allied health practitioners. These referrals are not valid for Medicare purposes, meaning no Medicare or health fund rebates are available for patients with these referrals. In this circumstance, patients are encouraged to also obtain a referral from their regular or an alternative General Practitioner.
Payment
Payment is required at the time of consultation. Payment is accepted by EFTPOS for patients paying by debit or credit card, or by bank transfer. Fee information will be provided prior to your consultation.
For patients undergoing surgery, a quote will be provided to allow checking with their health fund regarding coverage and any expected out-of-pocket costs. Costs for surgery are to be paid prior to the surgery date.
For patients without private health insurance, it is still possible to seek treatment in the private sector. The private hospital fee which would normally be paid for by a health fund can be paid directly by patients without health insurance. Assistance can be provided in obtaining quotes in this circumstance. Medicare rebates are still payable for patients undergoing surgery without health insurance.