Sandi Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I hate this whole referral business to see a specialist.I need to go for a check up & also battling with ovarian pain lately & thinking it may have something to do with my Mirena.Anyone have a gynae that wills see a patient without a referral? I'm not comfortable having a pap smear done by a GP. It just doesn't feel right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 (edited) You can see any medical specialist you like . . . . as long as you go privately and pay it all yourself.If you want to use Medicare and get up to 85% rebate off the fee for the medical appointment, you've got to go by what the system says . . . . and that means getting a referral first by a GP to a specialist.Normally, a referral from a GP is valid for 12 months, letting you see your specialist as often as you need to within that time.However, you can get a letter from your GP that is worded in such a way so that the letter of referral is an ongoing one, allowing you to go from year to year without referrals each year.When I had a melanoma cut out years ago, it was necessary for me to see a dermatologist and get a check up from head to toe, and I was told my skin isn't suited to the Australian sun, as I have fair skin and blue eyes, I need to go back on a yearly basis.At first I had to go to my local GP for a referral, costing me about $5 or $10 for the visit. In the end, my wife told me to get a permanently worded referral letter, worded so that the dermo doesn't need to get a referral letter each time from my GP. Edited September 25, 2008 by Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyW Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 If you are in Perth, not so long ago a Gynea's name was put on the topic "Any SA Doctor's in Perth".I believe this is the case that you must be referred.Good Luck and hope you feel better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandi Posted September 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 Yes, we're in Perth. I'll go look for that post.We're on a 457 visa so don't get the Medicare benefit anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alibaba Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 On a 457 you need to have private healthcare which I guess you have. You still need to first see the GP who refers you to a specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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