Fees and funding
Fees, insurance and rebates
All appointments and services are privately billed. The practice confirms your fee and payment arrangements before the appointment.
Fees at a glance
The fee for an initial appointment is quoted when it is booked. As a guide, a standard initial clinical appointment or a longer review appointment is A$660, and a standard review appointment is A$330.
An initial clinical appointment requires an A$150 deposit.
Driving, occupational and other formal assessments and all medicolegal work are strictly by quote, because fees depend on complexity.
The private fee is payable in full. Public and reduced-fee appointments are not available.
Deposit and cancellation
An initial clinical appointment requires an A$150 deposit. This is credited towards your consultation fee, reducing the balance payable on the appointment day. The practice's policy is that the deposit is forfeited for a change-of-mind cancellation or non-attendance, except where a refund is required by law.
If extenuating circumstances arise, contact reception on (03) 9526 0244 as soon as possible so the practice can help you reschedule. Your statutory rights are not affected.
Medicare and private health insurance
A Medicare rebate may be available for an eligible consultation when Medicare's requirements are met, including receipt of a valid referral before the consultation. Not every appointment, assessment, report or other service attracts a rebate, so please do not assume that one will apply.
Private health insurance is not required for an outpatient consultation. It is required for an inpatient admission under Dr Hadinata's care at this practice. Having insurance does not guarantee admission or that your policy will cover a particular stay or charge; the proposed admission and cover must be checked with the hospital and your insurer.
WorkCover, TAC and other schemes
Standard WorkCover, TAC and other scheme funding will not cover the full cost of an outpatient consultation at this practice. For an outpatient consultation related to a claim, you pay the full private fee first and then arrange any eligible reimbursement yourself with TAC or your WorkSafe insurer or agent; the practice does not bill them directly. Reimbursement depends on your claim, approval and the applicable limits and is not guaranteed, so expect a substantial out-of-pocket gap.
Claims are considered case by case. Please provide the claim number, insurer or agent details and any funding approval before booking.
Letters and reports
The standard clinical letter to your referring doctor is included in the consultation fee. Work-related, medicolegal, court-related and all capacity reports are separate work. If you need one of these reports, tell the practice before booking so the requested work, suitability and fees can be confirmed. Formal independent expert work follows the separate medicolegal pathway.
What the fee pays for
The fee is for specialist expertise and the professional work of assessment: reviewing relevant information, weighing the options and giving a considered opinion to support well-informed decisions about your health. Prescribing and other clinical decisions are based on clinical need and Dr Hadinata's professional judgement, so payment does not purchase a requested medicine, certificate or report wording. The same professional and ethical standards apply when the assessment does not support the outcome you hoped for.
Practice staff cannot negotiate or influence a clinical opinion, and abusive, threatening or coercive communication towards staff or Dr Hadinata will not be accepted.
Concerns and affordability
You can ask questions about a fee or disagree with a recommendation. If you have a concern about your clinical care or a charge, call reception on (03) 9526 0244, Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, to explain it and ask how it can be addressed. Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law are not affected.
If private care is not affordable, ask your GP about publicly funded Addiction Medicine options and whether a referral is needed (usual General Practice fees may apply), or contact your local public hospital to ask what services are available. In Victoria, DirectLine offers free, confidential alcohol and other drug information, counselling and referral, 24 hours a day, on 1800 888 236.
Information for patients and families