Billing
Yarralumla Surgery is a private billing practice. Consultation fees apply to all appointments and vary depending on the type and length of your consultation.
Payment is required on the day of your appointment. Where eligible, we can process your Medicare rebate electronically, with the rebate generally paid directly into your nominated bank account by Medicare.
Some patients may be eligible for reduced fees or bulk billing at the discretion of their doctor. Please speak with our reception team if you have any questions about our fees or billing policy before your appointment.
Prescriptions
An appointment is required for all new and repeat prescriptions to ensure your doctor can review your health and confirm that your medication remains appropriate and safe.
We recommend booking your appointment well before your medication runs out, particularly if you wish to see your regular doctor.
In exceptional circumstances, a prescription request may be considered without an appointment at your doctor’s discretion. Approval is not guaranteed and, if approved, a private administration fee will apply.
Appointment Bookings
Yarralumla Surgery offers convenient online appointment bookings through Healthengine via the Healthengine app or the booking link on our website.
We reserve a number of same-day appointments for urgent medical concerns, which become available from 8:30 am each weekday. If you are unwell and need urgent medical care, please call the practice. Even if same-day appointments are fully booked, our team will assess your needs and, where clinically appropriate, arrange a same-day appointment or advise you of the most suitable care options.
Medical Certificates
If you require a medical certificate for work, study or other purposes, an appointment with your doctor is required.
Medical certificates can only be issued where clinically appropriate and cannot be backdated unless your doctor is able to verify the period of illness or incapacity. Please discuss your requirements with your doctor during your consultation.
Referrals
An appointment is usually required for new or renewed specialist referrals to ensure your doctor can review your health and confirm that a referral remains appropriate. Please allow enough time to book an appointment before your referral expires, particularly if you wish to see your regular doctor.
To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, you must have a valid referral before your specialist appointment. Referrals cannot be issued retrospectively for services that have already been provided.
In some circumstances, a repeat referral may be considered without an appointment at your doctor’s discretion. Approval is not guaranteed and, if approved, a private administration fee may apply.
Wait Times
We understand that waiting to see your doctor can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience. Our team works hard to keep appointments running on time while ensuring every patient receives the care they need.
Occasionally, delays are unavoidable when a patient requires urgent or more complex medical attention. If your doctor is running more than 15 minutes behind, our reception team will let you know where possible. You are also welcome to call us around 30 minutes before your appointment for an update on your doctor’s schedule.
If you think you may need extra time with your doctor, please let us know when booking your appointment. Booking a longer consultation helps us provide you with the care you need while minimising delays for other patients.
Results
Your doctor will advise how and when you will receive your test results. In many cases, we recommend booking a follow-up appointment to discuss your results and any ongoing care.
If your doctor asks you to return for review, or if correspondence is received requiring follow-up, we may send you a reminder via SMS through Healthengine. These reminders are intended to prompt you to book an appointment and do not include your clinical results or personal health information.
If a follow-up appointment has not been arranged, please contact the practice to obtain your results.
For privacy and clinical safety reasons, some test results cannot be provided by reception and may require an appointment with your doctor before they can be discussed.
Privacy
Your privacy is important to us. Yarralumla Surgery is committed to protecting your personal and health information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988, the Australian Privacy Principles, and relevant healthcare privacy legislation.
All members of our team are bound by strict confidentiality obligations, and your information is handled securely and respectfully. Our Privacy Policy is available at reception and on request.
As part of providing safe and appropriate healthcare, we are required to ask all patients whether they identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This information helps us provide culturally appropriate care and meet national reporting requirements.
Reminders
To support your ongoing healthcare, Yarralumla Surgery operates a reminder and recall system for preventive health care, recommended screening, vaccinations, and follow-up care. If you prefer not to receive practice reminders, please let your doctor know.
Where required or authorised by law, relevant health information may also be provided to national health registers to support your ongoing care and public health programs. If you have any questions about these registers or your participation, please speak with your doctor.
Telephone Communication
To ensure our doctors can give their full attention to patients during consultations, they are generally unable to take telephone calls.
If you need to speak with your doctor, our reception team will take a message and, where appropriate, your doctor will return your call as soon as practicable. If your enquiry is urgent, please let our reception team know so it can be managed appropriately.
If your enquiry relates to your health or requires prompt attention, we encourage you to contact the practice by telephone rather than email so our team can assess your needs and arrange appropriate care.
To help our doctors focus on patient care, we are unable to accept calls relating to surveys, marketing or commercial canvassing.
Electronic Communication
For appointments and general enquiries, please contact our reception team on (02) 6282 3899.
Email is suitable for non-clinical enquiries, such as appointment requests, fee enquiries, or sending documents requested by your doctor. Please do not use email for medical advice, new or worsening symptoms, medication changes, or other urgent clinical matters, as emails are not monitored continuously.
If your enquiry relates to your health, please contact the practice by telephone during business hours so our team can assess your needs and arrange appropriate care. If you require urgent medical attention, call 000 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, email is not always a secure method of communication. By corresponding with us via email, you acknowledge the associated privacy and security risks. If you prefer not to communicate by email, please let our reception team know.
After Hours Care & Home Visits
When Yarralumla Surgery is closed, after-hours medical care is available through CALMS (02) 6260 3300) and the National Home Doctor Service 13 74 25 (13 SICK).
These services can assist with non-urgent health issues outside of our regular hours, including overnight, and help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits.
A summary of your consultation will be sent to your GP for your medical record, and follow-up will be arranged if needed.
Home visits by our GPs may be available in some circumstances, please enquire with your GP or reception.
Missed and Cancelled Appointments
Yarralumla Surgery is a busy practice, and we appreciate as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment. Providing at least 24 hours’ notice allows us to offer your appointment to another patient who may be waiting for care.
Missed appointments or cancellations made with insufficient notice may incur a cancellation fee. Please note that this fee is not claimable through Medicare.
Specialist doctors consulting at our practice have their own cancellation policies, which will be explained when you book your specialist appointment.
Billing
Unattended Appointments
Please note that missed or unattended appointments may attract a fee, which cannot be claimed through Medicare.
Specialist doctors have individual cancellation policies which will be outlined at the time of making your initial appointment.
After Hours Visits & Home Visits
When Yarralumla Surgery is closed, after-hours medical care is available through CALMS ((02) 6260 3300) and the National Home Doctor Service 13 74 25 (13 SICK).
These services can assist with non-urgent health issues outside of our regular hours, including overnight, and help reduce unnecessary emergency department visits.
A summary of your consultation will be sent to your GP for your medical record, and follow-up will be arranged if needed.
Home visits by our GPs may be available in some circumstances.
Prescriptions
Yarralumla Surgery uses HotDoc for convenient online bookings — available through the HotDoc mobile app or the booking widget on our website.
We also reserve a number of same-day appointments that become available from 8:30 am each morning. If you are unwell and need to see a doctor urgently, please call the practice. Even if same-day appointments are fully booked, our team will triage your situation and ensure you are seen if a same-day consultation is required.
As a general rule, unwell children are prioritised and will be fitted in for a same-day appointment where possible.
Appointment Bookings
Yarralumla Surgery uses HotDoc for convenient online bookings — available through the HotDoc mobile app or link on our website.
We also reserve a number of same-day appointments that become available from 8:30 am each morning. If you are unwell and need to see a doctor urgently, please call the practice. Even if same-day appointments are fully booked, our team will triage your situation and ensure you are seen if a same-day consultation is required or advise alternative options.
As a general rule, unwell children are prioritised and will be fitted in for a same-day appointment where possible.
Medical Certificates
If you need time off work or study due to illness, your doctor can provide a medical certificate during your consultation.
Medical certificates are legal documents and can only be issued for genuine medical conditions — they cannot be backdated.
If a replacement certificate is required, a small administrative fee may apply.
Referrals
- Referrals help ensure you are directed to the most appropriate specialist for your care. Under Medicare regulations, referrals cannot be backdated.
In some cases, a repeat referral may be issued without a consultation at your doctor’s discretion. A small administrative fee may apply for this service.
Wait Times
Reminders
Notification of all pap smears, childhood immunisations and some adult vaccinations will be provided to the relevant national registry. Please advise your doctor if you do not wish this to occur.
Telephone Communication
Email & Electronic Communication
Results
Privacy
Please note that it is a legal requirement that we ask all patients if they are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
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