Frequently Asked Questions

A referral from your GP or specialist ensures we have detailed information about your medical history, medications, and allergies, and can maintain clear communication with your healthcare providers, allowing us to customise your treatment effectively. It also enables you to receive a Medicare rebate for your consultation, biopsies, and other procedures. Without a referral, you cannot claim any rebate.

A standard GP referral referral is valid for 12 months, unless your GP specifies it is an ‘indefinite’ referral, which is then valid for 5 years. A referral from a Medical Specialist, such as another dermatologist, is valid for 3 months.

To qualify for a Medicare rebate, a current referral is necessary if your previous one has expired. While we strive to notify you in advance if a new referral is needed for your upcoming appointment, we also encourage you to verify that you have a valid referral for your next visit.

Please send all referrals via fax to (03) 8657 4902. Upon receiving them, our medical team will assess and prioritise each referral according to urgency. If your situation demands immediate attention, we encourage your referring doctor to directly contact our practice to schedule an appointment.

Patients with a referral are eligible for a Medicare rebate. We can make an electronic Medicare claim for you. Medicare will process the claim as soon as possible and pay your Medicare benefit electronically into the bank account you have registered with them.

In some cases, appointments for treatments are to be scheduled on a separate day following the initial consultation. This approach allows patients ample time to carefully decide if they wish to go ahead with the proposed procedure. Please note that a face-to-face consultation will be required prior to treatment if any of the following apply:

• You are a new patient; or
• You have not had an appointment at Preston Dermatology in over 12 months; or
• You are presenting a new or additional concern.

To book an appointment, please call us on (03) 8657 4333. Our team will assist you in finding a convenient time that fits your schedule.

We do have an extensive waiting list for non-urgent, general dermatology appointments at present. We have a triaging system in place for urgent referrals, and do our best to get patients an appointment as soon as possible.

Appointment reminders are sent via SMS several days before your scheduled visit. If you do not confirm your appointment via SMS or a follow-up phone call, it will be deemed forfeited and offered to another patient from our waitlist.

Forfeited appointments and failure to arrive at your scheduled time will result in a note on your patient record. Future appointments will require prepayment at the time of booking. Additional fees may be incurred on the day of your appointment if further treatments are necessary, such as biopsies, injections, or extractions.

If you are more than 15 minutes late without notifying us, you will be considered a no-show. Arriving more than 20 minutes late will necessitate rescheduling your appointment.

As a private practice, we do not provide bulk billing, and payment is due at the time of your consultation. We accept EFTPOS, Visa and Mastercard.

With a valid Medicare card and referral, our fee structure is as follows:

• Initial consultations/New referrals is $305 with a $81.30 rebate, reduced to $221 for pensioners, health care and concession card holders.
• Follow-up consultations are $205 with a $40.85 rebate, reduced to $153 for pensioners, health care and concession card holders.
• Additional charges apply for minor procedures performed during the consultation, such as biopsies, injections, or cryotherapy.

Surgical Procedures - Fees

For surgical procedures, including skin cancer or benign lesion removal, we will provide a quote in advance, ensuring you can make an informed decision. Out-of-pocket costs for these surgeries range from $385 to $1900, based on the surgery's complexity.

Veterans/DVA

Veterans holding DVA Gold and eligible White cards are fully covered for consultation and treatment costs.

Unfortunately, for Australian residents, federal legislation does not allow private insurance providers to cover medical services administered outside a hospital setting.

Patients who have a surgical admission to a private hospital for removal of skin cancers should be able to claim some costs on their private insurance.

If you possess a valid Medicare card and a referral letter, we can bulk bill this treatment. Veterans holding DVA Gold and eligible White cards will also have the full cost of treatment covered.

For those without a Medicare card requiring this treatment, a quote will be provided. Additionally, you may want to consult your private health insurance, as some policies may cover this treatment.

• Street parking options include Plenty Rd (clearway after 4pm), Gower St, and Townhall Ave (adhering to local parking regulations).
• Limited reserved parking behind the clinic is available for patients with disabilities or mobility constraints. Access is via the laneway entrance (Gower St/Townhall Ave).
• Tram: Number 86 Tram stops directly outside the front of the building.
• Train: 800 metre walk to Preston Train Station.