FAQS
Do I need a referral?
A referral is required by Medicare to receive a rebate for your consultation. A referral from a GP is valid for 12 months. A referral from a specialist is valid for 3 months. A referral can be written to an individual surgeon or to the Melbourne Brain and Spine Group. The group is comprised of the practices of individual Neurosurgeons who have all undertaken further training in their respective subspecialties and share the same values and goals of achieving the best outcome for their patients. We will help direct your referral to the Neurosurgeon best suited to your clinical need.
What are the costs?
Consultation Fees
Consultation fees vary based on the type of appointment. This will be stated in your appointment letter. The fees are partially reimbursed by Medicare. Private health insurance does not cover consultations. Patients who are under TAC or Workcover are required to pay on the day of their appointment and seek reimbursement from their insurer.
Surgical Fees
If surgery is recommended, a quote will be provided detailing any planned surgery, the associated Medicare item numbers and the description of the surgery. The surgical fees may infrequently be modified as a result of intraoperative findings. There may be additional fees for services provided by other doctors such as anaesthetists. Please note, there may be other fees charged by the hospital depending on your particular private insurer.
Can I bring someone to the consultation?
As a patient, you are welcome to attend the consultation with family, a friend or a support person. It can often be helpful to have a “second set of ears” to discuss your condition and treatment options with. The surgeons will often provide written information for you to take home. A good resource that may be helpful is: www.choosingwisely.org.au/resources/consumers-and-carers/5questions
What is your privacy policy?
This policy outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect of how we manage your Personal Information.
We have adopted the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) contained in the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). The NPPs govern the way in which we collect, use, disclose, store, secure and dispose of your Personal Information.
A copy of the Australian Privacy Principles may be obtained from the website of The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner at www.aoic.gov.au
What is Personal Information and why do we collect it?
Personal Information is information or an opinion that identifies an individual. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, addresses, email addresses, phone and facsimile numbers.
This Personal Information is obtained in many ways including interviews, correspondence, by telephone and facsimile, by email, via our website, from media and publications, from other publicly available sources, from cookies and from third parties. We don’t guarantee website links or policy of authorised third parties.
We collect your Personal Information for the primary purpose of providing our services to you, providing information to our clients and marketing. We may also use your Personal Information for secondary purposes closely related to the primary purpose, in circumstances where you would reasonably expect such use or disclosure. You may unsubscribe from our mailing/marketing lists at any time by contacting us in writing.
When we collect Personal Information we will, where appropriate and where possible, explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
What is Sensitive Information?
Sensitive information is defined in the Privacy Act to include information or opinion about such things as an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political association, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, criminal record or health information.
Sensitive information will be used by us only:
For the primary purpose for which it was obtained
For a secondary purpose that is directly related to the primary purpose
With your consent; or where required or authorised by law.
Third Parties
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties. In such a case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.
When can my Personal Information be disclosed?
Your Personal Information may be disclosed in a number of circumstances including the following:
Third parties where you consent to the use or disclosure; and
Where required or authorised by law.
How is my Personal Information Secured?
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by us for a minimum of 7 years.
Can I Access my Personal Information?
You may access the Personal Information we hold about you and to update and/or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your Personal Information, please contact us in writing.
Melbourne Brain and Spine Group will not charge any fee for your access request, but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your Personal Information.
In order to protect your Personal Information we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
How is the Quality of my Person Information Maintained?
It is an important to us that your Personal Information is up to date. We will take reasonable steps to make sure that your Personal Information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
What if I have Privacy Policy Complaints and Inquiries
If you have any queries or complaints about our Privacy Policy please contact us at:
rooms@brainandspine.com.au or 9527 6482.
Please note that this Policy may change from time to time and is available on our website.
How do I manage Complaints?
All patients have the right to raise concerns about their treatment, or ask questions of this practice. Please raise any concerns with your surgeon directly, or through our practice nurse or administrative staff. We will do our best to address these as soon as possible.