If you wish to claim Medicare rebates you must have a valid referral A valid referral can be for 12 months from your General Practitioner or 3 months from your specialist. If you have no valid referral you will be liable for the entire payment of services.
In most cases, once the decision has been made in consultation with your GP or other referring doctor to seek advice or treatment from a cardiologist at SA Heart, patients ring to make their own appointments.
In cases deemed urgent by the referring doctors, they will ring SA Heart direct to make the appointment. SA Heart will always provide appointments at short notice for urgent cases.
Where the patient is experiencing language difficulties the referring doctor’s reception staff will make the appointment on the patient’s behalf.
We provide some after hours and Saturday appointments.
Our reception staff are alert to the possibility of language difficulties impacting on a patient’s diagnosis or treatment. They will therefore explore the need to make interpreter arrangements involving a relative, friend or official interpreter where the circumstances suggest that this would be in the best interests of the patient.
For the sake of patient convenience we have an exceptionally wide choice of private cardiology clinics. Visit Our Clinics where you will find easy to follow directions to all our clinics, together with the services provided and the attending SA Heart Cardiologists.
Patients can help us deliver the best possible care by following a few simple guidelines:
1. Make sure SA heart is given or is holding a valid referral on your behalf. This will ensure you can claim Medicare rebates and inform the cardiologist of the background to your condition.
2. If you are attending for the first time please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the patient information sheet. Alternatively you can download the SA Heart Patient Information Sheet and fill it out before attending the clinic, making sure to bring it with you.
3. For billing and Medicare rebate purposes it is vital you bring your Medicare and concession cards to the appointment.
4. It is very important that your cardiologist knows what medications you currently use. The safest way to be sure we have the correct information is to bring the medications to the appointment.
5. X-rays which pertain to your condition should also be brought to appointments. We will let you know when they are no longer required for you to take home.
If you cannot attend your appointment it is in your own interests to ring and make another time without delay. That way we can also make the vacated appointment available to another patient. Waiting times for appointments to see our heart specialists can be kept to a minimum if all available appointments are made available to patients.
Please be aware that a cancellation fee may be applicable for non-attendance without calling to cancel the appointment in advance.
Your referring doctor may have requested that one or more diagnostic tests be carried out. The full range of diagnostic tests is available at SA Heart, using the latest equipment with the cardiologists supported by highly trained staff. The information on Diagnostic Tests explains the nature and purpose of each test and any preparation you need to make before the day of the appointment.
Some cardiac conditions can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications. In other cases procedural intervention may be required. Cardiac procedures are performed in a hospital setting in an Angiography Suite. The information on Procedures explains the nature and purpose of each test and any preparation you need to make before the day of the appointment.
It is SA Heart policy that full payment is expected on the day of your appointment.
Payment can be made in cash, cheque or by credit card at all clinics. In our metropolitan clinics EFT payment can also be made.
All Medicare accounts can be processed immediately at our rooms so that you can receive your Medicare Rebate directly into your bank account, provided you confirm your banking details with us. Alternatively, you can take the claim directly to a Medicare office for same day reimbursement.
Patient records are protected by our compliance with all privacy legislation and the guidelines of relevant professional bodies such as the AMA.
A request for access to your medical record held by SA Heart should be directed to your treating cardiologist.
Our doctors and staff are passionate about being first choice in cardiology for patients and referring doctors. We apply a culture of continuous learning and improvement to all aspects of our services, with patient wellbeing as the focus of all our activity.
If you feel there are instances where we could have done better we would welcome your feedback. Your concerns will always be treated respectfully and resolved promptly. Issues should be raised with your treating cardiologist or the SA Heart chief executive.
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