- Do you need a referral to see a physio?
- What is involved in a consultation?
- How often will you need to see a physio?
- Can a physiotherapist refer for scans?
- What should you bring?
- Where can I park?
- Can you use your private health insurance?
- Do I need an assessment before joining a group/class?
- What do I wear to group exercise classes?
Do you need a referral to see a physio?
Physiotherapists are ‘first contact practitioners’ meaning no referral is required for physiotherapy assessment or treatment if you are a private patient. Patients covered for workplace injuries under WorkSafe and road accidents under TAC may also book for physiotherapy appointment without a referral. Our other services including Podiatry and Massage also do not require a referral.
If you are using Medicare to claim for allied health services under a “Chronic Disease Management” (Enhanced Primary Care) Plan, you will however require a referral for up to 5 sessions before attending an appointment
What is involved in a consultation?
Lake Health Group pride themselves on providing 30 minute appointments. Some of our other allied health staff (eg. Women’s and Men’s Health Physiotherapy, Hip Physiotherapy with Dr Joanne Kemp) will provide 1 hour initial assessments. On your first consultation, your allied health professional will find out what your goals are. Your therapist will then undertake an assessment and appropriate treatment where required as well as information about your problem and a plan for post appointment. If you are not sure about whether one of our therapists can help you, please contact us.
How often will you need to see a physio?
As every problem is different this is a hard question to answer specifically. When you see your physiotherapist, they will take the time to assess you thoroughly and discuss your condition. Based on your condition and your goals for recovery they will recommend what treatment frequency will lead to the best possible outcome for you.
Can a physiotherapist refer for scans
Your physiotherapist is very well trained in knowing which scan is the most appropriate for your musculoskeletal condition and whether it is clinically necessary to order certain scans. Yes, your physiotherapist can refer for X-ray and MRI scans. In most cases this will be at a similar cost to that if you went through your GP. We can also refer for an ultrasound examination however this will often be more expensive to you than if you were referred to this by your GP. We will always wish to assess you prior to you getting a scan.
What should you bring?
Please attend the clinic 5 to 10 minutes early to complete paperwork if it is your first appointment. When you attend the clinic for any treatment, please bring any X-rays or previous scans to your appointment where applicable, as well as any letters from other practitioners.
Where can I park?
Howitt Street – There is off street patient only care parks on site plus 1 disabled car spot on the premises. There is also ample street parking in the surrounding side streets
Can you use your private health insurance?
Yes. If you have private health insurance physiotherapy extras cover, we can claim this on the spot through our HICAPS machine and you only need to pay any applicable gap. We do require your card for this and cannot process your private health insurance with the number alone. We are not able to gather any information on what rebate you will receive from your health insurance company, so please contact them directly if you wish to know this prior to your appointment. All Clinical Pilates sessions are run by physiotherapists, so almost all health funds will cover these as they would for physio treatment. Myotherapy and massage treatment may also be covered by your private health insurance.
Do I need an assessment before joining a group/class?
Yes, all new patients attending a physiotherapy supervised class will need an assessment before joining our group sessions. This allows us to tailor the exercise to meet your health and fitness goals. If you are undertaking our group fitness classes (Active Fitness), you will be required to fill out this form and bring to the class to give to the Fitness Instructor.
What do I wear to group exercise classes?
Loose, comfortable clothing and make sure you bring a towel and a pair of socks for our Pilates classes.
