Your First Visit
Our aim is to provide you with all the information that you would need to make informed decisions about managing your health.
Initial Consultation
Dr Mariud will:
- Request detailed information about your symptoms,
- Take a medical history of your current and past ailments,
- Perform a thorough physical and/or other examinations.
What to Bring on
On your first visit, please remember to bring the following:
Medical Information
- Referral Letter (GP, family physician or another doctor)
- X Rays, MRI or CT scans
- Medical and Family History
- Copies of Pathology Reports
- Any other relevant information
- List of current medications
- Allergies to pharmaceuticals or other
- Relevant Journal, Exercise or Travel Plans
Personal Information
- Medicare card, DVA card, pension card
- Private Hospital Insurance details
- Driver’s license or valid ID
- If work related - Employer’s Letter
Ask Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions or doubts, which we will encourage you to clarify before you leave the clinic.
While certain diagnostic tests such as blood tests or imaging tests may be ordered to confirm your diagnosis. We will take time to explain the options for the possible treatments.
Some Questions to ask your Doctor
One of the most important thing to tell your doctor, apart from your medical history, is any specific concerns or fears you may have regarding your condition or treatment. It is normal to be nervous about your health, but it is hard for your doctor to allay your fears or reassure you should you keep your thoughts to yourself.
What are the other options besides surgery?
When surgery is recommended, it is often the best treatment, based on the evidence available. When considering surgery, both you and your doctor will balance the risk of surgery against the risk of not having surgery. There may be multiple other treatments available and your own circumstances may mean you prefer not to have surgery.
Diagnosis and Recommendations
After reviewing any diagnostic results, Dr Mariud will recommend appropriate treatment.
What is Next
Our staff will go through the details of costs and logistics with you. Please contact my rooms to discuss consultation fees and payment options.
If you still have questions when you leave the office, please do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to help.
A receptionist may not be present at the at the time of your appointment. Please take a seat in our waiting room and Dr Mariud will be with you shortly.
People decide whether to have surgery or a procedure based on:
- How much their symptoms or problem bothers them.
- How likely the surgery or other treatments will help.
- Concerns about the risks involved.
- How long the recovery period might be.
- Whether the surgery or procedure will relieve pain they currently have.
- How much pain the surgery or procedure might cause.
- Whether they would have to miss work.
- What if I don't have surgery or a procedure?
Some conditions that are treated with procedures or surgery get worse without treatment; some get better; and some stay the same. If the surgery or procedure is not necessary and your symptoms don’t bother you too much, you might decide to try other treatments.
Are there different types of surgery?
Sometimes a condition can be treated in more than 1 way. Ask your doctor what options you have and what the differences are between them. Below are examples of some of the main surgery and procedure options.
Open surgery
For open surgery, the surgeon makes a cut big enough so that he or she can work directly on the parts inside your body.
Laparoscopic surgery
For laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes smaller cuts and uses special tools that go inside your body and can be controlled from the outside.
Endoscopic procedures
For endoscopic procedures, the doctor uses a thin tube with a tiny camera on the end. The tube goes into the natural openings in the body, such as the mouth, urethra, or vagina. These procedures are used to look at or treat conditions of the stomach or intestines (“gastrointestinal endoscopy”), bladder (“cystoscopy”), or uterus (“hysteroscopy”).
What are the benefits and risks of surgery or a procedure?
Every surgery or procedure, no matter how “minor,” carries risks. Make sure you understand what you stand to gain from the surgery or procedure and what you stand to lose.
Here are some related questions to ask:
- What are the chances that I will benefit and how long is the benefit likely to last?
- What are the most common risks, and how long do their effects last?
- What are the most serious risks, even if they are not very common?
- What if I want a second opinion?
Do not be afraid to ask for a second opinion. No doctor should ever be worried or offended if you want a second opinion. In fact, any doctor should be willing to help you find the best surgeon or interventionalist to suit your needs.
The interaction between a doctor and patient is a relationship and sometimes relationships are hard to mature or breakdown through no fault of either party.
What type of anaesthesia will I need and what risks does it have?
Some of the risks of surgery or procedures come from the type of anaesthesia that is used. Even “minor” surgeries or procedures have risks related to anaesthesia.
What will my recovery be like?
People do not always know what to expect in the recovery period after surgery or a procedure. It’s very important to find out ahead of time the answers to these questions:
- How much pain can I expect and for how long?
- How will my pain be treated or managed?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- Will I need help when I return home?
- Will I need to have someone drive me home?
- After surgery or the procedure, will I be able to do all the things I normally do? If not, how long will I be unable to do these things?
- When will I be able to return to work?
How much experience does my surgeon have?
Ask your surgeon“How many of these procedures have you performed and what training have you received?” Find out, too, if the hospital where you will have surgery or the procedure has a lot of experience handling people having the kind of surgery or procedure you need. You want a doctor and hospital with adequate experience and resources.
Fees, Payments and Options
Overview
This page outlines our explanation for patients payment options depending on their circumstances. The page covers the following explanations and payment options:
- Explanation of Fees
- No Gap Billing Policy for Private Patients
- Public vs Private
- Payment Policy
- Tax Refund Scheme
- No Private Health Insurance
Initial Consultation
The initial consultation will incur a fee. A quotation of this fee will be given at the time of your booking. This fee is payable at time of appointment and a receipt given for claiming back your Medicare rebate.
An Explanation of Fees
The standard fees charged by our rooms are in line with the Australian Medical Association recommended fee schedule.
Private Patients
Overview
If you have private health insurance that covers the types of procedures we perform, then your health fund excess is payable of the day of the procedure. Generally, our doctors are no gap for privately insured patients.
If you choose to be treated as a private patient, you will be treated at hospitals that our doctor is affiliated to or is a visiting medical specialist. After discharge, your care will be carried out in either an outpatient clinic or in my private rooms, or will be referred to your local general practitioner.
Private Health Insurance - No Gap Policy
Private Health Insurance allows you and your family to access the right health services at the right time. You have control of your health care and can choose the provider, facility and timing of your treatment. With the security and protection of private health insurance, you have access to an extensive range of private hospitals and can rest assured that your health is in good hands.
Depending on your level of private health cover , some health funds also require you to pay an excess. For Procedural Items typically there is No Gap payment required
We are not responsible for these costs but our staff will do their utmost to guide you to better understanding.
Our practice accepts most private health insurance programs. Our staff can also help with your claim for benefits, but we remind you that your specific policy is an agreement between you and your insurance company.
Please keep in mind that you are responsible for your total obligation should your insurance benefits result in less coverage than anticipated.
Your policy may base its allowances on a fixed fee schedule, which may or may not coincide with the AMA fee schedule.
You should be aware that different insurance companies vary greatlyin the types of coverage available. Also, some companies take care of claims promptly while others delay payment for several months.
Private vs Public Fees
You may choose to be a public or a private patient. This page provides patients with the different options are for surgery in the private or public hospital system.
Public Hospital Patients:
Australian residents who decide to be a public patient are entitled to free treatment under Medicare. Your treatment will be carried out by an appropriate specialist which will be arranged prior to your admission. After discharge, your care will either be continued in an outpatient clinic or you will be referred to your local general practitioner.
In the public hospital the surgery is usually performed by a registrar (doctor training in CHOOSE surgery) but the registrar is supervised by a senior surgeon who is responsible for your care.
There are no fees for surgery in the public hospital. However, the Waiting List for operations in the Public system is considerable, currently upwards of twelve months and patients are admitted to hospital on a "first come, first served" basis.
Your position on the waiting list will be based on the severity of your condition. Your follow up visits after surgery will be arranged through the hospital.
Private Hospital Treatment:
In the private system I will perform your surgery personally and will also look after you if you are advised to be an in-patient. All follow up appointments will be in my office.Payment Policy
Payment Options
Overview
Our reception staff will be happy to advise you of the consultation fee upon booking an appointment over the telephone. Fees for consultation along with other necessary forms will also be emailed to you for your convenience upon booking an appointment.
- Surgical fees are billed directly to the Health Insurance Providers.
- Where out-of pocket co-payment are required which can vary depending on the type and complexity of surgery or procedure. Patients will be advised, in writing, after the consultation, the amount of gap payment.
- Fees for uninsured patients are advised by the accounts manager upon request.
Payment on the day of consultation is much appreciated.
How to Pay?
For your convenience we accept a number of payment methods in the rooms, by post and online:
- Cheque and Cash
- Credit Card: VISA, Mastercard, Amex (logos),
- Electronic other - (Credit Card, EFTPOS, BPay)
No Private Health Insurance
If you are not in a Private Health Fund or DVA and you need surgery, you have two alternatives:
- Go on a Waiting List at the Public Hospital, or
- Pay for the operation yourself ("Self Insure")
I admit patients to Hawkesbury where I have regular operating lists.
The care in the public hospital is free of charge to you.
Self Insured
An increasing number of people are choosing to "Self Insure" or pay for their own surgery, so they don't have to wait. This is often a worthwhile investment as it means you can have your operation done straight away or whenever it suits you. This can allow you to get back to your work and sport as soon as possible.
The costs may not be as high as you think, especially for some less invasive surgeries.
All the private hospital fees associated with your surgery are an out-of-pocket expense, but we will assist you in obtaining an estimate of costs from the private hospital before you go ahead with your surgical procedure. The full hospital fee is payable on admission.
Call my practice and they will be happy to provide you with an accurate costing. A proportion of my fees and the anaesthetic fees attract a small rebate from Medicare.
If you require more information, please do not hesitate to call us on during office hours.