APPOINTMENTS
DO I NEED A REFERRAL TO SEE A SPECIALIST?
It is much preferred if patients could have a referral from their GP, another specialist or ACC, and commonly this is required by insurance companies if they are 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. However, if you do not wish to see your GP or if you have been seen here before, you can arrange an appointment by filling in a request on the contact page (please click here).
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 completed Totara House Clinic Patient Information Sheet and any Questionnaires that were sent out to you. If you were rung regarding an appointment the receptionist will ask you to fill these forms in on your arrival. Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to fill these out.
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 - 45 minutes. Follow up consultations and post-operative appointments are usually for 10 - 20 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 4 - 6 weeks.
COSTS
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
This all depends on how long your appointment takes and whether any examinations or procedures are done. An 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 $470.00 and follow up consultations between $80.00 to $450.00.
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 first and then get reimbursed 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. If they give approval they will cover all of the costs.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Payment is expected at the time of the consultation and can be paid by Eftpos or cash. A $5.00 administration fee applies to all accounts not paid at the time of consultation. Direct credit payments received into Totara House Clinic's bank account will have the $5.00 administration fee removed if paid within 24 hours of the consultation.
If paying by Internet banking: Totara House Clinic 06-0729-0268394-00 (Please use your name and reference number or invoice number as a reference for the payment.)
Where it is agreed that payment need not be paid at the time of consultation, it shall be paid by the 20th of the month, following the date of invoice. If you have problems with paying your account within the time allowed please let us know so we can come to an arrangement. Our terms of trade can be found on the following link Terms of Trade.
DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS?
Sorry but we do not accept payment by credit card.
SURGERY
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.
GENERAL
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.
COLLECTION OF PERSONAL & MEDICAL INFORMATION
For further information click on the following link: Collection of Personal & Medical Information.