Basic information regarding your upcoming Psychiatric assessment.
Welcome. Regarding your initial assessment, please familiarize yourself with the following steps and information regarding your assessment and consultation for further management.
General Preparation
- Complete Preliminary Form:
Kindly complete the preliminary information form in as much detail as you can. This allows the doctor more time to discuss the management and other important aspects of your situation.
- Nominate a Contact:
Identify a family member or carer for collateral information. They may participate in the assessment or be contacted later to complete additional assessment tools, which are essential for a formal diagnosis. A separate contact is bulk billed.
- Submit Supporting Documents:
Provide relevant records (e.g., school reports, prior assessments, diagnoses) to support your suspected condition.
- Health Metrics:
Submit recent blood pressure and pulse rate, obtainable from your GP, as some medications may affect these.
- Baseline Tests
If medication is considered, the doctor may need baseline investigations such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), Liver Function Tests (LFT), Kidney Function Tests (KFT), Electrocardiogram (ECG), Blood Sugar Level (BSL), Thyroid Function Test (TFT), and Urinary Drug Screen (UDS).ECG and UDS are required for stimulant treatment.
You may complete these via your GP to avoid delays.
- Medication Rules:
As per Medicare and National health policy, many psychotropic agents are reserved for certain conditions. Such medications may be prescribed off-label, resulting in private scripts not covered by Medicare. For addiction issues, stimulant prescriptions require 3 months (even in case of recreational use) of abstinence and a UDS, possibly with a second opinion.
- Diagnosis Expectations:
Due to symptom overlap, your diagnosis may differ from expectations. Avoid relying on online tools or general advice.
- Coexisting Conditions:
If other conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety) are identified, treatment will be prioritized as per the clinical need, with reassessment for additional management.
- Treatment Timeline:
Expect a few weeks to assess treatment outcomes. At least two appointments are typically needed to complete the assessment and start medication.
- Second Opinions:
Complex cases (e.g., addictions, severe comorbidities) may require a second opinion, which you must organize and fund.
- No Between-Appointment Advice:
Clinical queries via email/text are not available between appointments. Please refer to the website for preparing relevant questions to be discussed during the consultation or book an appointment for additional queries.
- GP Letters & Scripts:
Allow 2–4 days for processing GP letters and scripts. Avoid contacting the admin staff before this. It can sometimes be delayed due to technical issues beyond our control. However, we endeavour to keep the process as fast as possible from our end.
- Accessing Letters:
Clinical letters are sent to your GP. We do not provide a copy of these letters/documents to the clients directly. If you wish to get a copy, please contact your GP.
- Respectful Communication:
Treat staff respectfully. Disrespectful behavior may lead to discharge from the service.
- Concise Communication:
Keep admin interactions brief due to high query volumes. Check the website that contains the most information. Long calls/emails do not add value, but make it difficult to respond to all the clients in a timely fashion
- Booking Follow-Ups:
Schedule follow-ups online to secure your doctor’s availability.
ADHD-Specific Information
- ADHD assessments are comprehensive, and prior diagnoses or treatments do not guarantee a confirmed diagnosis or stimulant prescription.
- For stimulants, provide recent ECG, UDS, blood pressure, and heart rate at the first appointment to expedite treatment.
- Sometimes dual stimulant prescriptions may be needed; only one is PBS-covered, the other is private, as per the government legislation.
- Scripts are not issued between appointments. For lost scripts/medications, provide evidence or a police report. Doctors may refuse to reissue if misuse is suspected, especially in scheduled drugs such as stimulants. The doctor reserves the right to provide / not provide another script if they suspect any foul play (people selling stimulants and benzodiazepines and asking for another script). Therefore, try to keep your medication safe and save the eScript message for getting repeats.
Adolescent Clients (Ages 16–18)
- A parent/carer must attend the assessment and complete the required forms.
Work Cover Clients
- Obtain insurer preapproval before booking to clarify financial responsibilities.
- Ensure timely invoice payments for booking follow-ups. A follow-up appointment will not be booked until previous invoices have been paid.
- Additional reports/forms are charged separately, often covered by insurers, but may require out-of-pocket payment.
- Medico-legal reports are generally not provided. Discuss the report needs and costs with your doctor, if needed.
- Work capacity/disability reports are sent to your WorkCover case manager. Contact them for copies, as we are not authorised to provide a copy of such reports to you
Telehealth and Appointment Policies
Telehealth Suitability:
If telehealth is unsuitable, we’ll advise you before or after the first appointment, depending on the time of identification of any such barrier that restricts the utility of telehealth services in providing optimal clinical care.
No Acute Care / Emergency services
For urgent mental health crises, reschedule and seek immediate emergency care at the nearby ED or dial 000.
Fees:
This is not a bulk-billing service. Pay 50% to confirm the booking and the remaining 50% seven days before the appointment.
The fee is charged for the time and professional opinion of the doctor, not for providing a particular diagnosis. Please refrain from seeking refunds after consultation, irrespective of the outcome.
This is not a bulk billing service at attracts an out-of-pocket fee for specialist consultation.
Medicare & Insurance:
Medicare rebates are processed post-consultation. File private insurance claims yourself with the provided invoice.
Cancellations:
Cancel/reschedule seven days before the scheduled appointment to avoid losing fees. No-shows may incur charges for future bookings.
No Medico-Legal Reports:
eMed Specialist Pty Ltd does not provide medico-legal reports. The assessments are for clinical care. However, if any such need arises, discuss with your doctor regarding providing such reports, and it’s costs.
Confidentiality:
Discuss clinical matters only with your doctor, not admin staff, to maintain confidentiality.
No Concessions:
Admin staff cannot offer discounts. Check the website for fee details before booking. There is a provision of ‘Pay by 4’ in case of financial constraints, where the fee can be paid in 4 instalments.
Treatment and Follow-Up
Holistic Care:
Medication may be supplemented with psychological interventions for optimal recovery.
Consent:
Attendance implies consent to recommended treatments.
Assessment Tools:
Complete the provided tools before your first appointment and for follow-up appointments, if needed to monitor treatment, per health regulations.
Dose Adjustments:
In some cases, frequent visits may be required for adjusting medication, dosage, and managing side effects, depending on the clinical presentation.
Ask Questions:
Prepare queries for your appointment. Refer to the website for preparation guidance.
Role of eMed Specialist Pty Ltd:
As an organization, our role is to facilitate the scheduled appointment. We carry no responsibility regarding the outcome of your appointment. It is the prerogative of the doctor. Any queries should be discussed and clarified with the doctor during the appointments.
Final Notes
- Safeguard medications and eScript messages for repeats.
- Book follow-ups early to secure slots using the online booking facility.
- Visit our website for additional resources.
We wish you the best in your health journey. Prepare your questions, and let’s make your consultation productive.
Thank you for choosing eMed Specialist Pty Ltd. We are committed to providing you with exceptional care and support throughout your consultation experience. If you have any questions regarding our billing policy, please feel free to reach out.
