Suite 22/2 Docker Street. The Docker Medical Building is on the corner of Docker Street and Chaston Street. The entrance is off Chaston Street.

There is ample parking at Docker Medical where Dr Hicks is located, both off street parking and under cover parking in the basement.  From the basement and ground floor level there is lift access to all floors.

To obtain a medicare rebate on both consultation and surgical procedures, medicare requires a valid in date referral.

On 1st November 2019, Medicare introduced 8 new item numbers for colonoscopies. These replace the previous 2, and all but one of the new numbers has quite strict descriptors or qualifying criteria related to that item number.

From now on, it is imperative that in referring a patient for a colonoscopy, the referral contains sufficient information regarding:
1) Symptoms – +ve FOB, documented anaemia or iron deficiency, abnormal radiology, known or suspected inflammatory bowel disease or “symptoms consistent with pathology of the colonic mucosa”, or
2) The specific family history of colorectal malignancy, the date of the previous colonoscopy and the histology of any previous polyps removed (if procedure not done by Dr Henry Hicks).

…Otherwise, the procedure may not be funded by Medicare. This non-funding status will be independent of the venue at which the procedure will be performed, either private or public.

We ask that you make yourself familiar with the various criteria of the new item numbers as this will allow your patients to continue to be managed in a timely manner, no matter where they have their procedure.

The new item numbers (32222-32229) can be viewed on the Department of Health website or at mbsonline.gov.au or gesa.org.au.

If there are still concerns, our rooms will hopefully be able to sort these out for you.

• Referral letter
• Results from blood tests if relevant
• MRI, CT or Ultrasound reports if relevant
• Medicare and/or Private Health cards

No

Yes if you have a valid and in date referral from your doctor

Your rooms’ consultation will attract a standard consult fee.  If your surgery is booked through WWBH or NDH then Medicare should cover all hospital costs.  If your follow up consult is via the rooms then this may attract a standard consult fee.

Surgical fees are derived from the recommended fees published by the Australian Medical Association (AMA), however there will be a discrepancy between the fee charged for your procedure and the combined rebate from Medicare and your Health Fund, for which you will be responsible. Dr Hicks’ fee is independent of other professionals who may be involved in your care ie Anaesthetist, Surgical assistant, pathology and X-ray services.

Any “out of pocket” or “gap” fees arising out of Dr Hicks’ care will be explained to you as part of the booking process. You will also receive a written quotation as a part of the Informed Financial Consent process.

Depending on your level of cover in your fund, Private health Insurance covers most of your in hospital expenses. This might involve an excess, which is an arrangement between you and your Health Fund.

Yes. We will require your employer’s details, claim number and a current referral.