What to bring
When you come for your initial appointment remember to bring the following:
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Referral letter from your GP, family physician or other doctor
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Your insurance information
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Copies of operation records, medical records, x-rays, MRIs, or CT scans from prior doctor visits
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If you have seen a physiotherapist, please bring a progress letter from the therapist
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What happens if my injury is covered by ACC?
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If your injury is covered by ACC, you will receive an individual claim number.
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ACC will cover the costs of the intial and subseqeunt consultations by a specialist and most investigations.
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If you require surgery we will lodge an application with ACC on your behalf for funding.
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This can take up to 6 weeks to recieve a decision and you will be directly notified by ACC.
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If approval is gained an operation date can then be scheduled and the decision is valid for 1 year.
What if I have private insurance?
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​​​We will issue you with an estimate for the costs of your surgery.
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This must be submitted to your insurer for pre-approval.
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Depending on your insurance type, your insurer may approve all or part of the cost.
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After your operation you will recieve an invoice from your surgeon, the anaesthetist, a hand therapist and the hospital.
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This invoice can be submitted to your insurer for payment to each party.
What happens if ACC declines my application for surgery?
​​In this situation ACC always provide funding for another visit to your Surgeon to discuss the decline.
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Your options are:
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You may appeal ACC’s decision using the process outlined in your decline letter from ACC
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If you have medical insurance, we can prepare an estimate of costs for you to consider.
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You may pay for the surgery privately. We can prepare an estimate of costs for you to consider.
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We may be able to refer you on to the public hospital system for your surgery.
Medication
Do I need to stop any medications prior to surgery?
Discuss any medications you are taking with your surgeon, anaesthetist and your family physician to see which ones you should stop taking before surgery.
If you are taking anti-inflammatory medications or warfarin or any drugs that increase the risk of bleeding you may need to stop taking them one week before surgery to minimise bleeding.
Insurance
What if I have private insurance?
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We will issue you with an estimate for the costs of your surgery.
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This must be submitted to your insurer for pre-approval. Depending on your insurance type, your insurer may approve all or part of the cost.
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After your operation you will recieve an invoice from your surgeon, the anaesthetist, a hand therapist and the hospital.
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This invoice can be submitted to your insurer for payment to each party.
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Eating
Can I eat before surgery?
No.
6 hours nil by mouth,
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Our office will provide you with a time to arrive at your designated hospital and a "nil by mouth" time that must be adhered to. "Nil by mouth" means NOTHING to eat or drink after the specified time. This includes chewing gum as this stimiulates the production of gastric juices.
Certificate
What if I need a medical certificate?
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If you need a medical certificate for work or ACC, please inform us and we will provide one during your clinical consultation or prior to discharge from hospital.