Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE A SPECIALIST?
Yes. Before we can book an appointment we require a referral from your GP, specialist, ACC or other allied health service. If you have medical insurance, your insurer may also require a copy of this referral if they will funding your care. It is certainly advisable to be registered with a local GP. If your GP or other treating specialist refer you, their letter will include the history of your condition, the outcome of any treatment, and the results of any investigations.
I NEED TO BE SEEN URGENTLY WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Please talk to your GP in the first instance who can contact our specialists directly. Otherwise please present to an urgent medical care facility or to the Emergency Department at your local Hospital.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Your Patient Registration Form if you have not been able to complete it online prior to your appointment. A link to this form will be emailed/texted to you when we acknowledge your referral. If you are unable to access this form online, please let us know. We can post it out to you or you can complete it upon your arrival. If you complete the form upon your arrival, please arrive at least 10 minutes early to allow time to complete this form prior to your appointment.
Any test results and investigations (i.e. hearing tests, x-rays or scans).
WHAT WILL BE THE LENGTH OF MY APPOINTMENT?
Initial consultations usually take 20 - 60 minutes. Follow up consultations and post-operative appointments are usually for 10 - 30 minutes, although they can take as long as an initial consultation. While we aim to run to time, we have been known to run late. This may be because we have fitted in an urgent case, or it may be because a consultation has taken longer than anticipated. If we are running late and time is an issue, please let the receptionist know.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT?
This will depend on the urgency, and whether you wish to be seen by the first available specialist or a particular specialist. Our current waiting time for an appointment is between 2-4 months.
Costs
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
This will depend on how long your appointment takes and whether any examinations or procedures are done.
ENT Consultations:
Initial consultation along with examination with a flexible scope, aural toilet, nasal cautery, biopsies, or any other ENT examinations or procedures may cost between $150.00 and $475.00.
Follow up consultations between $80.00 to $450.00.
Neurology/Rheumatology Consultations:
Initial consultation may cost between $450.00 and $700.00.
Follow up consultations between $250.00 to $500.00.
WILL MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAY FOR MY CONSULTATION?
This depends on your insurance policy. It is best to talk to your insurance company to find out exactly how much they will cover and whether you need to pay at the time of your appointment and then get reimbursed by your insurer or whether they will pay us directly.
WILL I BE COVERED BY ACC?
If you have had an injury that has been accepted by ACC then all of the costs related to that injury will be covered by ACC. If surgery is required, prior approval from ACC is required before we may proceed. If they give approval they will cover all of the costs.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
Payment is expected at the time of the consultation and can be paid by EFTPOS or cash.
If you wish to pay via internet banking or credit card, invoices should be paid by the 20th of the month, following the date of invoice.
Patients are responsible for ensuring accounts are paid on time. Unpaid accounts may be referred to debt collection and the patient will bear any resulting additional fees. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Trade.
DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS?
Credit card payments are not accepted in-house. If you wish to pay by credit card, please ask for your invoice to be emailed to you.
DO YOU OFFER PAYMENT PLANS?
Yes. If you would like to arrange a payment plan for your appointment or operation, please email manager@totarahouse.co.nz.
Operations
HOW MUCH WILL MY SURGERY COST?
If surgery is recommended for you, please request an estimate. This estimate will be sent to you and will include the surgeon, anaesthetist and Crest Hospital charges.
CAN I HAVE SURGERY AT THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL EVEN THOUGH I AM SEEING THE SURGEON PRIVATELY?
If surgery is recommended you can usually be put on the Public Hospital waiting list to have it done. The pros and cons of private versus public will be discussed when you are seen.
WILL MY INSURANCE PAY FOR MY SURGERY?
This will depend on your insurance policy. We recommend checking with your insurance provider should surgery be recommended. It is likely that they will require an estimate of the surgical costs and the referral letter from your GP.
Southern Cross members: Please note that we can apply for approval on your behalf for some surgical procedures. If your recommended surgery falls outside of what we can apply for, you will be notified.
General Information
WHERE CAN I PARK?
There is some parking within the clinic grounds via the entrance on Featherston Street. If this is full there is usually roadside parking available on Russell and Featherston Streets.
WHAT ARE YOUR BUSINESS HOURS?
We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm. Closed on weekends and Public Holidays.
Collection of Personal & Medical Information
For further information click on the following link: Collection of Personal & Medical Information.