Patient Information | Advantage Health Point

OUR APPOINTMENTS POLICY

We prefer patients to make appointments wherever possible. Patients with appointments will naturally be given priority over casual callers. In cases of emergency or urgent medical care, patients will be seen immediately. In the case of an acute illness, particularly a child, please let the receptionist know.
Please inform the receptionist if you require a long consultation when making an appointment, this can be arranged.
We appreciate your time is valuable, and our doctors always endeavour to run to time; however, sometimes situations arise which cause delays. Please consider others by arriving on time for your appointment, and advise us if you’re running late. If you need to see your doctor regarding complex or multiple issues, please tell our staff when booking the appointment so they can schedule accordingly.
We would appreciate AT LEAST 24 hours notice if you need to change or cancel your appointment as this allows us to offer this space to other patients. Missed appointments, or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may be subject to a cancellation fee of $30.00.
Our Doctors are able to provide telehealth consultations via Skype to families living in eligible rural and regional areas. Please speak with our reception staff for more information.
The doctor may refer you to have blood tests or medical imaging. In some circumstances they will advise you to book a follow-up appointment to review the results with you personally. This ensures a safe approach and allows us to maintain a high standard of medical care.
If you haven’t heard from us when you were expecting to, or you have any concerns, please call our clinic and we’ll follow up for you.
If the Doctor has prescribed you with a new medication or altered a regular dosage, he may organise a follow up review appointment. It’s important to attend this appointment as requested.
If the Doctor has said he can provide a repeat prescription without an appointment, a $10 fee for script preparation may also apply.

FEES

Advantage HealthPoint operates as a private Medical Practice. Consultation fees are outlined below. Our standard appointment length is 15 minutes. We require full payment of any fees on the day of consultation. Payments may be made by cash, EFTPOS and credit card (Mastercard and Visa only). Please speak to us before the appointment if you have any queries or concerns.

Patients who hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card will not attract an out-of-pocket expense, and (in most circumstances) children and patients with an eligible concession card will receive a discount on normal consultation fees.

Accounts for work related injuries (Work Cover) or motor vehicle related injuries (Transport Accident Commission, TAC) are the responsibility of the patient.

Please note that some procedures or tests performed by your doctor may incur an extra charge in addition to the usual consultation fee. You will be informed of the extra charge when applicable.

Some services provided by the practice do not attract a Medicare rebate. Examples are outlined below. You will be informed of the charge for these services at the time of appointment.

Appointments for all childhood and government-scheduled immunisations will be bulk-billed (i.e. no charge to you).

Consultation Type	Fee:	Medicare Rebate:	Gap Amount (you pay nett):
Standard	$75 (Pension $65)	$37.05	$37.95
Long	$113 (Pension $103)	$71.70	$41.30
Dressings and Supplies	will be charged according to cost
Procedure fee	will be charged according to cost
Health Assessments	for over 75 years and Chronic Disease Patients – no charge

What is the Medicare Rebate?
The Medicare rebate is the amount that is set under legislation by the Australian Government as a contribution to the cost of medical services provided by doctors registered in Australia. Since the beginning of Medicare in 1984, the Medicare rebate has not risen in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the amount of the rebate to patients is currently frozen until 2020. The Medicare rebate falls significantly short of the actual cost of providing quality medical services.

PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

All patient information is confidential. Advantage HealthPoint has strict guidelines to ensure that your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain the security of personal health information at all times and to ensure that this information is only available to authorised staff. If you require access to your medical information, or for you wish for a transfer, we require your written authority and a fee may be charged.

PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY HOME AND HOSPITAL VISITS

Home visits are available for regular patients of the practice who are too ill to come to the surgery, or in the case of emergency. Please ring as early as possible if required.

TELEPHONING YOUR DOCTOR

The doctors may on the rare occasion, return phone calls relating to you or your family’s health. However, please understand that in in most cases they prefer you to come in person to see them. Patients are encouraged to leave a message with reception indicating what the problem is and your contact details. If the matter is urgent please advise reception staff immediately.

MINOR PROCEDURES

Removal of skin cancers and other suspicious spots, freezing of warts, treatment of ingrown toenails and other minor surgery as well as setting and plastering of fractures is available. A $65.00 fee will be billed for all procedures which require the use of the theatre room and sterile instruments, this fee is not covered by Medicare.

CARE FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PATIENTS OR PATIENTS UNABLE TO UNDERSTAND OUR PRACTICE INFORMATION SHEET

If you or your family members face barriers to understanding our practice information sheet please let our reception staff know and help will be offered.

A free interpreter service is available on the day of your consultation, but it is helpful to book in advance. Please inform the receptionist if you require an interpreter for your consultation.

CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION

All routine vaccinations are available and provided free of charge.

REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS

It is in your best interest to see a doctor for repeat scripts. Therefore, this clinic will generally not give scripts over the phone.

DRUG POLICY

It is the general policy of this practice not to prescribe any drugs of dependence unless it is clinically indicated and in the best interest of the patient. (For example: benzodiazepines, Narcotics etc.).

TEST RESULTS

Will not be given over the phone, however if your results are abnormal someone will contact you to make an appointment for a review. If you would like to discuss your results with the doctor you will need to make an appointment.

AFTER HOURS CARE

The Practice provides the best care for patients, should you need medical attention outside of clinic hours you will need to attend the Bairnsdale Regional Hospital (Phone: 51503333).

Our recorded after hours message at the clinic will inform you of these alternatives.

Patient records are to contain reports or notes from after-hours consultations.

REMINDER LETTERS

Please note that Advantage HealthPoint may send out reminder letters to patients for procedures such as Pap smear tests and flu vaccines. Please advise your doctor if you would rather not be contacted.

TRAVEL MEDICINES and IMMUNISATION

Most common travel vaccines are available from a Pharmacy. Please discuss travel plans 4-6 weeks before departure to ensure that you and your Doctor can plan your vaccinations appropriately.

OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE AT ADVANTAGE HEALTHPOINT

We are proud to offer the following services: same day appointments, on-site pathology collection, skin checks, health checks and paediatric medicine.

ADMINISTRATION AND NURSING STAFF

Practice Director: Anna Kantzides

Practice Manager: Belinda

Reception Staff: Evelyn, Mel and Juanita

Nurses: Ruth, Virginia, Lynn

PATIENT FEEDBACK

For general feedback and suggestions about the practice please use the feedback form on this website, AHP feedback

If you have a complaint please inform our Practice Director, Anna Kantzides. However, if you do feel there is a problem you wish to take up externally, you may prefer to contact the Victorian Government Centre handling complaints.

The address is:

Health Services Commission
Level 26, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Phone: 8601 5222