Patient Information
Information At Your Fingertips
If you are a new patient to our clinic, please arrive at least five minutes before your consultation or fill out a new patient form here and bring the following to your consultation:
- Photo ID
- A valid Medicare card
- Workcover patients will need to inform their employer and bring their employer’s contact details for verification to arrange payment.
Fees
Introducing Mixed Billing in our Practice
Access to healthcare for the community we serve is important to us. Armstrong Creek Doctors unwavering commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of healthcare services we deliver is our top priority. To protect the sustainability of our practice and ensure the standard of the services we provide; Armstrong Creek Doctors will now become a Mixed- Billing practice. This will allow us to maintain the highest quality of care we provide while still being able to address our patients with substantial needs.
Starting the 1st of September of 2022, we will be introducing the “Mixed-Billing” system. Most consultations are time-based and will incur private fees for patients who are not eligible under the bulk-billing criteria. Fees are payable at the time of consultation by cash, credit card or EFTPOS.
We are still able to bulk bill eligible patient groups for most of the consultation types:
- Children under 18 years of age
- Patients over 65 years old
- Commonwealth Concession Card holders
- DVA Gold Card holders
- Health Care Card holders
- Pensioner Concession Card holders
Other out-of-pocket fees might be applicable to:
- Home visits
- Discount home visits (for pensioners only)
- Immunisation/Vaccines
- Drive Medical Assessment (age 75 or more)
- IV medicine management
- Travel Medicine
- Procedures
- Reports
- Pre-employment
- Skin Treatment
- Allied Health and Pathology services
* Cancellation Policy:
Any appointments cancelled within 2 hours of the booked appointment schedule will attract a cancellation fee of $40.00 on weekdays and $50.00 on weekends and Public Holidays to be paid on the day or the following visit.
This of course also applies to missed appointments. The patients not be permitted to make subsequent bookings until the fee is paid.
Please call our reception at (03) 5215-1002 for more information.
Afterhours Consultations
DoctorDoctor provides access to bulk billed in home after hours medical care for unexpected illness and may connect patients who do not have a regular GP to daytime General Practice for their ongoing continuity of care. Bookings are from 6pm Monday to Friday, 12pm Saturday, all day Sunday and Public Holidays. Call 13 26 60.
If your situation is an emergency, please call Ambulance – 000 or the University Hospital Geelong, (03) 4215 0100, emergency entrance via Ryrie Street, Geelong.
Practice Policies
Correspondence
Medical information in an electronic format is transmitted via encrypted format using secure messaging software. Medical information can be mailed only through secure post (i.e. with a tracking number). Patient diagnostic results and correspondence, whether in electronic or hard copy format is always forwarded to the relevant doctor. The word “Confidential” is recorded on the correspondence. Patient information is only sent via email if it is securely encrypted. We do not accept patient enquiries or requests via email. We also do not send patient information to personal email addresses.
Facsimile
Facsimile, printers and other electronic communication devices are located so they are only accessible to the doctors and other authorised staff. All faxes containing confidential information are only faxed to numbers after checking the fax number is correct.
Computerised Records
Specific systems have been put in place to protect the privacy, security and integrity of patients’ records. All staff are trained in computer security. IT Support oversee maintenance of computers and their security.
Results
Test results are usually available within 2 – 5 working days unless advised otherwise. Generally, results will not be provided over the telephone. We ask that you make an appointment to discuss all test results. Urgent abnormal test results will be brought to your attention by a doctor or one of our staff members.
Telephone Enquiries
We value our patients concerns, so please leave a clear message with the reception staff and your doctor will return your call when possible.
Additional Information
Each staff member is bound by the signed privacy clause contained in the employment agreement. All information received during a consultation between a doctor and the patient is considered personal and private health information. Medical information includes past medical and social history, current health issues and future medical care. Doctors, staff and contractors maintain the privacy of personal information. Medical records are the property of the practice. Only written requests for access to medical records are accepted.
Smoking Policy
This practice has a strict no smoking policy.
Accessibility
If you require a translator or other assistance with communication, please notify reception when you make an appointment. A phone interpreter may be available but will need to be arranged prior to your appointment. If you require an Auslan sign language interpreter during your appointment, a booking can be made online at http://www.nabs.org.au/ or by phone 1800 246 945.
Useful Resources
Children’s Health
Contraception / Sexual Health
Immunisation
Men’s Health
Travel
Planning Ahead
(Advance Care Planning, Wills, Power of Attorney, Enduring Guardian)
Chronic Disease
Mental Health
Preventative Health & Lifestyle
MyMedicare
MyMedicare
We invite all existing and new patients who consider us to be your preferred practice, to register for MyMedicare. To complete a registration, scan the QR code or register using the link provided on this page. If you have any questions, please contact our team.
What is MyMedicare?
The Australian Government has introduced a new voluntary patient registration model called MyMedicare to drive improvements in primary health care for all Australians and deliver new funding packages to primary care providers. MyMedicare will strengthen the relationship between patients and their health care teams by allowing patients to register with their regular general practice and select their preferred GP and providers within the practice. This registration aims to strengthen the relationship between you, your GP, and the team at Armstrong Creek Doctors. For more information, please see the Registering in MyMedicare Factsheet for Patients.
What are the benefits of MyMedicare for our patients?
The key benefits to you include better access, better continuity of care, and better planning. Registration in MyMedicare is not compulsory, however it is recommended to improve continuity of care for patients. You can also change your mind and leave the program at any time. It does not affect your Medicare rights or benefits. Please reach out to our team if you have any questions.
FAQ
Is Armstrong Creek Doctors a Bulk Billing Practice?
Armstrong Creek Doctors is a mixed billing practice.
We Bulk bill patients 16 and under
DVA card holders
Concession and Pensioner card holders
What if I don't have a Medicare card?
If you do not have a Medicare card, you will incur a fee payable at the time of the consult I which can be claimed back through your Private Insurance.
How do I book an appointment?
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring:
Photo ID
Medicare card
Any concession cards
