FAQ
Explore the FAQ section of Southgate Medical, your go-to resource for all queries related to our services, insurance processes, and patient care. Designed to assist both local and international patients, this section aims to provide clarity and ease your healthcare journey with us.
Our operating hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., from Monday through Friday.
Feel free to schedule your appointment online or contact us at (03) 9690 1433.
To arrange an appointment, simply reach out to our welcoming reception team at (03) 9690 1433; they are eager to assist you. Additionally, you can schedule an appointment through our online system.
Kindly contact us at (03) 9690 1433 to notify us of any tardiness. We can’t always assure that we will be able to accommodate late arrivals, as it may cause inconvenience to other patients. If accommodating isn’t possible, we might propose an alternate, later appointment or recommend that you reschedule.
Indeed. We utilize the HICAPS automated claiming system, enabling you to instantly claim your rebate from most health funds on the spot. However, there might be instances when you will need to claim your rebate online, by mail, or in person.
It’s important to highlight:
• We do not hold responsibility for the rebates from your health fund; any concerns must be addressed directly with your health insurance provider.
• Typically, private health insurances do not extend coverage for GP visits. They might cover visits to allied health professionals, depending on your fund and the extent of your coverage.
• If you are an international visitor possessing travel or student insurance, like OSHC cover, be informed that you will be required to settle the total fee upfront and reclaim directly from your insurer. Make sure to ask for an itemized receipt when making your payment.
Yes, we provide appointments between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday. Please coordinate with our reception team at (03) 9690 1433 to schedule these appointments.
Indeed, we feature seasonal promotions on health services, where services are available at discounted rates. For more information, please contact our reception team.
Each time you visit, we will inquire if your contact and Medicare details are current. This practice ensures our records maintain accuracy, allowing us to reach out to you should any issues arise regarding your appointment.
Certainly. If you come in without a scheduled appointment, our team will inform you about the next available slot and the estimated waiting time.
Indeed, home visits can be arranged under special circumstances. Please discuss this with our reception staff for more details.
Absolutely, we have both male and female GPs at your service. Should you have a preference, do inform us. We will endeavor to schedule your appointment with the doctor of your choosing.
Indeed, we dispatch SMS reminders for GP appointments, provided the SMS function is activated by the patient.
New patients will be extended a courtesy confirmation call on the morning of their appointment.
Additionally, we strive to notify you—via SMS, post, email, or phone call—if there’s a need for any recall or follow-up appointments, such as for blood works or pap smears.
Should you need to cancel or wish to reschedule your appointment, we kindly ask that you provide us with as much notice as possible by calling us at (03) 9690 1433.
Indeed. If you cancel your appointment within 12 hours of the scheduled time, a full appointment fee will be charged (unless we can allocate the time slot to another patient). An invoice will be sent to you for the fee of the missed appointment.
Absolutely; our doctors are not only friendly and approachable, but we also strive to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for children. We have books and toys available in the reception area to keep them engaged.
Your medical records are regarded as confidential documents. Our practice’s policy is to uphold the security of personal health information consistently and to ensure that this information is accessible solely to authorized staff members.
Telehealth involves the option of conducting video consultations as a substitute for face-to-face interactions. This allows you to have appointments with your healthcare provider from the comfort of your home or office, thus saving on travel and waiting times at the clinic. This feature is particularly beneficial for those in isolation due to the Covid-19 crisis as it enables continued access to medical services.
Well, Telehealth is good for a lot of health problems—about 70% of them! It’s great because doctors can listen and give advice, write prescriptions, and give referrals and certificates without you having to come in.
But, some things need you to be there in person, like if the doctor needs to listen to your heart or look inside your ears.
If the doctor thinks they need to see you after a Telehealth call, they will ask you to come into the clinic to check you properly.
For video calls, you need a computer with a camera and a microphone.
Or, you can use an iPad, a tablet like a Samsung tablet, or a smartphone.
We use a safe tool to keep your call private and secure.
If video doesn’t work or stops working, we can just talk on the phone.
A regular Telehealth call costs the same as seeing the doctor in person, which is $91.00. You can get $38.20 back from Medicare, so having Medicare is really helpful.
But, some people don’t have to pay:
• People with a concession card
• People getting Jobkeeper during Covid-19
• People who are over 70
• Kids under 16
• Pregnant women
• Moms and dads with babies under 12 months
• People who are sick with things like diabetes
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people over 50
• People who have to stay home because of Covid-19