What is this ‘referral’ thing all about?
A referral letter is a letter that is usually provided from your GP (general practitioner) to a specialist doctor. Specialists can also write referral letters to other specialists.
Do I really need a referral to see a specialist?
Contrary to what you are often told, in Australia the answer is NO you don’t.
The problem with not having a referral is that it means none of the care that you receive will be covered by Medicare and you will be unable to claim a rebate. The other issue comes with potentially not having a complete medical history, lists of medications and allergies for example, which are all details that are usually provided on your referral letter.
The other issue is that without a referral from another medical doctor, it can be very difficult for us to ascertain how urgent your appointment is likely to be. Many specialists (and certainly all of the specialists at GSG) prioritise patients and appointments in a system called ‘triage’. The alternative to this (the much lazier way!) is that patients simply receive an appointment when the doctor is next available, with no regard as to how urgent the problem is. Without a referral – it can be really difficult for out specialists to know how to triage your problem, potentially delaying your care.
This is why – all else being equal, we at GSG certainly prefer that you have a referral – it helps us work out what the problem is, work out how urgent it is, allows you to claim the Medicare rebate and above all, allows us to work with your GP to develop a solution that is right for you.
Having said all of that – we understand that GP appointments are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, particularly in our region as our GP colleagues become ever busier. We never want to see people go without appropriate care and that is why we will see you at GSG without a referral if needed – please let us know that you wish to be seen in this fashion and we will help you as best we can!
A/Prof Chris Mills and Dr Chere McCamley are world-class medical specialists who are always looking for ways to be more supportive of Gippslanders.
To make an appointment please see your GP for a referral, and then contact the GSG rooms on (03) 5630 8800.
Local, for life!
The benefits of a referral:
01 : enables you to have a consultation subsidised by Medicare
02 : gives us a complete medical history to help with your care
03 : allows us to work out how urgent your care needs are
04 : helps us work with your GP to work out the pathway that would suit you best