Not all specialists are expensive. Just like GPs, it depends how much they charge above the standard rate covered by Medicare. Try specialists that work in public hospital, you don't have to pay anything. yes, the waiting time to see a specialist is usually long. If you have to take Interferon, you will just pay the standard $34.50 fee per month (4 injections). 作者: 温柔夜色 时间: 2012-9-18 10:02
thanks StephenW , could you tell me how this system works , if GP said i need see a specialist, they will send a email to specialist or they give a print refer, i bring it to specialist ?作者: StephenW 时间: 2012-9-18 15:00
In Australia, to see a specialist, you would need a referral (a letter from your GP to the specialist). The idea is that:
1. Your GP is your primary care doctor. The specialist will work with your GP. So after seeing you, your specialist will generally write a report to your GP. Your referral to see a specialist is good for one year (i.e., you can see the specialist as often as you can within the one year without needing a referral every time). After one year, you will need to get another referral from your GP.
2. Under the health care system, the standard fees Medicare pay the specialist requires the specialist to have a referral from a GP. As specialists are more costly to Medicare, this is partly to prevent specialists from seeing patients that may otherwise be adequately cared for by a GP. So in principle you can see a specialist without a referral, but you will get much less refund from Medicare after paying the specialist.
3. You make your own appointment with a specialist. When you see your specialist for the first time, you bring along the referral from your GP.
作者: 温柔夜色 时间: 2012-9-18 16:19
thanks StephenW , that's very useful. I will see the GP again to get a referral letter.作者: calvinsun 时间: 2012-9-22 16:46
