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Consultation Fees Dr Walkom has a strict policy of payment for service on the day. Case, EFTPOS and credit cards are accepted. We do not bulk bill. Upon scheduling your appointment you will be advised of our fees. Patients that require gynaecological procedures in the rooms may also attract a high service fee but rebates can be claimed through Medicare Australia. Often there may be an out of pocket expense. Subsequently, there may be separate fees from pathology labs and radiology or ultrasound services. Our fees are largely based between Medicare and the AMA (Australia Medical Association) recommended schedule of fees. Our fees are reviewed annually after the Medicare Schedule of Benefits is released in November. Most services provided at Dr Walkom’s are claimable through Medicare. The Medicare rebate will cover a portion of the consultation.
Operation Fees PUBLIC (non-insured) patient fees: Dr Walkom has both major and minor operating lists for public (non-insured) patients at Manning Rural Referral Hospital. Public patients requiring either minor surgery (day only) or major surgery will have their operation performed at Manning Rural Referral Hospital by Dr Walkom or the Registrar under the supervision of Dr Walkom. Dr Walkom cannot guarantee that scheduled surgery will proceed on the date you have been given by Manning Rural Referral Hospital, as from time to time theatre lists are cancelled by Administration at the hospital due to more urgent cases requiring the operating theatres, necessitating the need for cancellation of theatre lists, often at shorty notice. PRIVATE patient fees: Dr Walkom performs both minor and major operations at Mayo Private Hospital, Taree. Unlike public patients, private patients are assured of Dr Walkom performing their operative procedure. We participate in the GapCover scheme, which has been designed to reduce or eliminate medical gap payments. Please check if your private medical insurer participates in GapCover. Most of our private patients will incur NO ‘out of pocket’ expense for their surgery by Dr Walkom. Note: Patients will need to check with the anesthetist if there will be an out of pocket expense for his/her services, and check with their private health fund to establish if they will have to pay an excess. This can also be checked with the Mayo Private Hospital administrative staff prior to booking.
How do I book my surgery? At the time of your consultation, should it be deemed necessary by Dr Walkom for you to undergo surgery and you agree to this, you will be required to complete a hospital admission form. Dr Walkom will schedule your surgery date if you are a private patient or the public hospital will put you on an appropriate waiting list.
Cancellation of Surgery We request that patients wishing to cancel surgery notify our rooms well in advance if circumstances permit.
Post-operative Care Upon discharge from the hospital, theatre patients will be advised to contact Dr Walkom to schedule a post-operative consultation. The nursing staff will advise patients how many weeks after their procedure they will need to attend Dr Walkom’s office. Please contact Dr Walkom's rooms if you have any concerns post operatively.
Miscellaneous Fees NON ATTENDANCE FEE: Dr Walkom’s patients who fail to give 24 hours notice of cancellation of their appointment may incur a non-attendance fee. Unfortunately no further appointment can be made until this fee has been paid in full.
Bad Debtor Policy Dr Walkom reserves the right to not treat patients in our rooms if they owe money to the practice. Any former patient who owes monies to the practice will be unable to schedule an appointment until their outstanding accounts have been paid in full.
Privacy Policy All staff working in the NSW public health system, including doctors, nurses and other staff, are bound by law, by the NSW Health Privacy Policy , and by a strict code of conduct to maintain confidentiality of patient information. NSW Health privacy policy link
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