At Toowong Dermatology we work hard to keep our service accessible, and try to keep our waiting list as short as possible. If you think you have a problem that requires urgent attention, please see your GP first who can contact us to arrange an earlier appointment.

Wherever possible, we also endeavour to accommodate country and overseas-based patients during their short stays in Brisbane.

What to bring to your appointment

• Your referral.
• Your Medicare card.
• Your completed TD enrolment April 2010.PDF (this is available for completion in the waiting room, or you can download it and complete prior, to save time at your appointment)
• Any biopsy tests, blood tests, other test results, past documentation, X-rays, etc, that might relate to your consultation.
• Any photographs of your condition, esp if it comes and goes.
• Printed directions on how to find us.

IMPORTANT:

If you wear makeup, and you are having a full skin check (for skin cancer), or having a consultation regarding a rash involving the face, please make sure you are not wearing makeup at the time of your appointment.  If you are coming straight from work, remember to bring makeup remover, and makeup to reapply after your appointment.

Having a full skin check

If you are having a check for skin cancer/ suspicious mole or spot, your dermatologist will usually offer a full skin check.  Although it is usually very helpful to you, if you do not wish to have a full skin check, please feel free to mention this.

A full skin check helps is the assessment of any individual spot, as it appearance in comparison to other spots on your body adds useful information.  It also helps identify any skin cancers or suspicious spots that you may not have noticed elsewhere on the body.

A full skin check involves examination of the skin not covered by your underwear/ bra.

Referrals

It is in your best interest to obtain a referral to Toowong Dermatology from your GP. You should do this before booking your appointment with us.

Please remember to bring your referral at the time of your initial consultation.

A referral is very helpful for many reasons.  It helps us best address the problem that concerns you and your doctor, provides us with a history and information on past treatments, and helps us be aware of any other health problems or medications which may influence your diagnosis and appropriate treatment.   A referral ensures that your doctor will receive a report of your consultation with one of our specialists, helping to keep your health record with your GP complete and up to date.

A referral also allows you to receive the maximum rebate applicable for your first and subsequent consultations when you claim your visit from Medicare.

A referral from a GP generally lasts for 12 months for the specified skin condition at your first consultation.  A referral from another specialist is valid for only 3 months. An indefinite referral or referral for periods longer than 12 months is only for the original condition specified by your doctor. These referrals are to be used where patients require regular, long-term follow-up, i.e. every three to four months, to allow you to obtain reimbursement at a specialist rate from Medicare. Where your follow-up is longer than this period of time, Medicare may not recognise the validity of your indefinite referral, resulting in a lower rebate to you.

A new referral is required if you seek treatment for a different problem, or if your past referral has lapsed.

Whilst you may see a dermatologist without a referral (eg if you are not entitled to medicare benefits, or you are happy to forego the medicare benefit), we still generally encourage you to have a referral, as this helps us provide better medical care for you.

Conditions considered of purely cosmetic nature do not attract a medical benefit, and do not require a referral.

Fees

Please note that this is a private medical practice. Payment for consultations is requested at the time of your consultation.

Additional treatments, consultations or investigations may be necessary in the course of your care, and will involve additional fees.  Wherever possible, we will aim to inform you of these prior to treatment.

If use of a surgical theatre is necessary for surgical procedures, there will be a procedure fee will be incurred. This does not attract a medicare rebate and is usually not able to be claimed from private health insurance.

A part of the fees will rebated by Medicare with presentation of your receipt and invoice to medicare.  You will need a valid referral at the time of your consultation

The practice accepts the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and White Card-Specific if it covers skin problems.

A number of procedures are classified by Medicare as being purely cosmetic. You will therefore receive no Medicare rebate for these services and GST must be added. Your doctor will tell you if your procedure is not covered by Medicare prior to treating you.  (Please note also that some non-cosmetic medical procedures may also not have a Medicare rebate item number, and similarly do not attract a medicare rebate).

If you have any concerns regarding fees, please feel free to discuss this with the practice prior to your appointment.

Dr Wu and Dr Butler provide public services as a visiting dermatologists at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, and Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital, respectively.