Q1. Do I need a Doctors referral to have physiotherapy?

A referral from a Doctor is not necessary to see a physiotherapist unless you are treated following a work injury and claiming workers compensation.

Q2. How long is a treatment session?

The initial appointment is 30 to 40 minutes depending on the complexity of your condition. Subsequent appointments are 20 minutes unless an extended consult is recommended.

Q3. Will I get some of the cost back from my health fund?

Yes, if you are covered for physiotherapy, at some branches we have a HICAPS machine so bring your health fund card with you and you only need to pay the gap. Please call your health fund provider if you would like to know the amount covered prior as we are unable to check.

Q4. How many treatments will I need?

That depends on your condition. Your physiotherapist will discuss your treatment, goals and prognosis with you so you can plan this together.

Q5. Do you take workers compensation patients?

Yes. All workers compensation patients are asked to pay privately on the day for their treatment session. They will be given a receipt to give to their employer to re-emburse them until the claim is approved. Invoices can be sent directly to the employer if the patient has a written letter stating that their employer is able to pay for their treatment. Invoices will be sent directly to the insurer when written confirmation is received that the excess has been reached. Please bring all relevant workcover and injury paperwork with you to your first appointment.

Q6. Do you take patients who have had a Transport Accident?

Yes. If you have been injured in a transport accident, TAC funded physiotherapy is approved if you have contacted TAC on 1300 654 329 and obtained a claim number. A medical excess no longer applies if your accident was after February 2018. Please bring your claim number plus any relevant paperwork to your first appointment. If you have not received your claim number we ask that you pay privately until this is obtained.

Q7. What do I need to bring to my physiotherapy appointment?

Any scans, investigations or specialists/surgeons reports related to the condition. For worker’s compensation or TAC patients, any relevant claim numbers and insurance details if received. A medicare card or veteran’s affairs card if you are new to the clinic. Also a Medicare Care Plan if relevant.

Q8. Do you bulk bill?

In certain circumstances, your doctor can refer you under the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Scheme. For eligible patients, this will give you up to 5 bulk billed physiotherapy sessions per calendar year. Please speak to your doctor to find out if you are eligible for the scheme.

Q9. Do you treat Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) patients?

Yes we will treat DVA patients. However, we require a current doctor’s referral (12 month expiry).

Q10. What is the cancellation policy?

If you are unable to make your appointment please give at least 24 hours notice. Otherwise a late cancellation / did not attend fine may be given. We are a small but busy business and any no shows means an appointment that could have been utilised by someone else. Consideration will be given for unavoidable circumstances which you can discuss with the physiotherapist/receptionist. If you are running late please give as much notice as possible, however, if there is a patient booked immediately after you, your appointment may understandably be cut short.

Q11. Do we offer telehealth physiotherapy consultations?

Yes we do now. We never ever thought about physiotherapy via video but with this challenging 2020 physiotherapists have had to adapt. We can now do telehealth via Zoom from the comfort of your own home to ours. Currently, workcover, TAC, DVA and private patients can have telehealth approved by their 3rd party provider. Please email: info@fosterphysio.com.au to book telehealth.

 

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