FAQ’s

Patient Information

• After hours medical care

  Our After Hours service is provided by Home Doctor Service 13 74 25

  In the case of an EMERGENCY, patients should dial 000 for an ambulance or call their local public hospital casualty department.

• Appointments

  An appointment for a standard consultation will be made with your preferred doctor or the next available doctor, depending on your preference.

  Extended consultations are available on request. If you anticipate that your consultation will be long, please advise the receptionist when making the appointment.

  SMS message reminders for appointment times are sent at 5pm on the day prior to the appointment.

  Our appointments are classified and invoiced as follows:

  • Minor Service (Level A)
    A brief service for an obvious problem characterised by the straightforward nature of the task that requires a short patient history and, if required, limited examination and management.
  • Specific Service (Level B)
    A service which requires of the General Practitioner a selective history and examination of the patient, to assess and manage the problem.
  • Extended Service (Level C)
    A service distinguished by more complex tasks required of the general practitioner when confronted with several alternative diagnoses which require a detailed history, multiple system examination, possible investigations and management.
  • Comprehensive Service (Level D)
    A service that requires of the general practitioner a complex intellectual process, involving exhaustive history, multiple system examination and the possible arrangement and evaluation of complex investigations in consideration of multiple alternative diagnoses.
• Cancellation

  There may be a cancellation fee if we do not receive notice of your cancellation.

  We need 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel an appointment prior to midday or minimum of two hours notice for afternoon appointments.

  If we receive late notice of your cancellation the fee may also apply. This enables us to reschedule the day for other patients.

  A fee may also apply if you miss your appointment without any cancellation notice.

• Complaints

  This practice acknowledges that patient complaints are an important source of customer feedback.

  Under the Health Services Act 1987 people with complaints should try to resolve them directly with the health service provider.

  If a satisfactory outcome is not achieved then complaint can be directed to the Health Services Commissioner for action by calling 03 8601 5200.

• Emergencies

  If you have an emergency please telephone 000 or go to your nearest Emergency Department.

• Fees

  South Melbourne Family Practice is a private billing practice, so consultation fees will be charged at the discretion of the treating doctor.

  Our policy is that payments are to be made on the day of consultation. Accepted payment methods include credit card, EFTPOS and cash.

  The practice now offers Medicare Ezyclaim: for eligible services your Medicare Rebate is paid back to your debit card immediately after you have paid your account at the practice.

  We also encourage our patients to register their bank details with Medicare to allow for prompt reimbursement of the Medicare rebate to the nominated bank account. Patients can register online at:

  www.humanservices.gov.au/online

  OR

  download a Medicare Bank Account details form

  Consultation fees:

  MONDAY – THURSDAY (8.00am – 6.00pm) FRIDAY (8.00am – 5.00pm)

  Standard: $85.00

  Long: $135.00

  Prolong: $170.00

  SATURDAY (9.00am – 1.00pm) NO BULK BILLING AVAILABLE

  Standard: $90.00

  Long: $140.00

  Prolong: $175.00

  Dr Aiko Tiarni Tomita fees:

  Standard (15 mins): $95.00 – $110.00

  Long (30 mins): $160.00 – $185.00

  Pro Long (45 mins): $230.00 – $255.00

  MEDICARE REBATE

  $37.60

  $72.80

  $107.15

  OTHER FEES
  Treatment Room

  • Medical consumables used as part of your treatment may attract a separate fee.
  • Procedural fees will vary according to the type and complexity – please enquire prior to your appointment. These fees offer a Medicare rebate.
  • For your convenience, we stock a wide range of travel and other vaccines – please ask reception for individual prices.

   

• Medical Certificates

  Medical certificates are available and can be requested at the time of consultation with your doctor. If you require a special consideration certificate, please bring the necessary paperwork to your consultation.

• Onsite Pathology

  Australian Clinical Labs provides onsite pathology with one pathology collection room within our surgery.

  PATHOLOGY COLLECTION AVAILABILITY

  Monday – Friday: 8.00am – 3.00pm

  Most services are bulk-billed to our patients holding Medicare cards. There may be a fee for some specialised tests not covered by Medicare.

  For more information please ask the Phlebotomist staff before proceeding doing the blood test or phone 9538 6700.

   

• Privacy and confidentiality

  We comply with Australian Government Legislation, ensuring that the privacy of our patients is maintained.

  A copy of our privacy policy is available at reception.

  Further information is available from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on 1300 363 992

• Reminders and practice information

  Our practice is committed to preventative care and we may issue you with reminder notices or practice information from time to time.

  Please advise the staff if you do not wish to participate in this program.