UPDATED: 1 July 2022 - Due to restrictions to Medicare rules, we are only able to offer phone consults to existing patients who have been to the clinic for a face-to-face consult in the past 12 months (ie. no new patients), with some small exceptions as detailed below.

In addtion, we can only offer standard-length phone consults - we can no longer do LONG consultations via phone (except for Mental Health), so you will need to come into the clinic if you have multiple issues or any complex issue to discuss with your doctor, or you will not be able to get your full Medicare rebate and therefore have a greater out-of-pocket cost.

phone consults available for existing patients only

We cannot conduct Phone Consults for new patients (nor for any existing patients have not been to our clinic for a Face to Face consult in the past 12 months) under Medicare’s rules. The following exceptions apply:

  • people who have seen our GP at another clinic in the past 12 months;

  • babies aged under 12 months;

  • patients who are in isolation because they are COVID postive, they are a close contact of a COVID positive case, or they have cold/flu/COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting for their symptoms to resolve; or

  • people who are happy to pay for their consult and not get ANY Medicare rebate.

However, all patients can book face-to-face consults (provided they do not have any COVID-19 symptoms and have not been to any COVID-19 exposure sites).

eSCRIPTS

If you have a phone consult and need a script, we can now send your scripts to you electronically via SMS or email - click here to learn more about eScripts. Alternatively, you can drop into the clinic after your appointment to collect your script. If you need a referral, we can email it to you and/or send it directly to the specialist. Click here to read about our Email Policy regarding the security issues associated with email.

IF YOU HAVE ANY COLD OR FLU SYMPTOMS

You MUST NOT come into the clinic if you have any cold or flu symptoms.

See our Contagious Diseases page for appointment options.

fees for phone consultations

Our fees for Phone Consults are now the same as our standard fees for the equivalent Face-to-Face consult.

Generally, the fee must be paid BEFORE a Phone Consult. Otherwise, we can send you an SMS with a payment link after the appointment, and payment must be made immediately. If your consult ends up being longer than what you booked, you may need to pay an additional fee after the appointment (but this will usually mean you get a bigger Medicare rebate).

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We can submit the Medicare rebate request for you following the Phone Consult and once payment has been made in full.

bookings

You can book a Phone Consult online or by phone.

Online bookings are preferred for Phone Consults, as you can can securely enter your credit card details for the consultation fee instead of having to give our receptionist your card details over the phone before the consult begins.

If you book online but cancel the appointment with at least one hour’s notice, your card will not be charged. In contrast, if you book and pay over the phone, a refund will have to be issued manually by you calling again to give your card details.

If you end up being bulk billed for your phone consult, your card will not be charged.

BRIEF QUERIES - 6-Minute phone consult

If you have a brief query for a GP, we now have the option of booking a 6-Minute Phone Consult.

This should only be booked if:

  • You've been advised by the clinic to book this appointment type; or

  • For a repeat script of a regular medication you are currently taking, but NOT INCLUDING blood pressure meds (which needs a Face-to-Face Consultation for a BP check), painkillers, sleeping tablets, anti-depressant/anxiety medications (which need a Standard Phone Consult); or

  • For a repeat referral to a specialist you've already seen, but NOT INCLUDING a referral for mental health or to allied health for Medicare funded sessions (both of which need a LONG Consultation); or

  • For quick queries relating to a recent consult, for example if you forgot to ask for a medical certificate.

A discounted fee of $53.20 applies (ie. a $12 gap, if you are entitled to a Medicare rebate - you must have attended the clinic for a Face-to-Face Consult in the past 12 months).

Normal fees will apply if none of the above apply, if additional issues are discussed, or for any complex issues, and on weekends.

PLEASE BOOK A LONGER CONSULT FOR MULTIPLE/COMPLEX ISSUES, OR YOU MAY NEED TO RE-BOOK.