Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about the cardiology services provided by SouthWest Cardiovascular.
What is a cardiology consultation?
A cardiology consultation is where you have an appointment with one of our cardiologists. If this is your first appointment with our cardiologists, the time allocated will be long enough to discuss the symptoms you have been experiencing and formulate an individual management plan. Depending on your history you may be asked to undergo diagnostic cardiac testing before the consultation or afterwards.
What should I expect before my first appointment?
We will require you to complete a patient registration form, including privacy consent so that we can share your results and management plan with your referring doctor. Our patient registration form can be completed in advance to save you time on the day of your first appointment.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, to access Medicare reimbursement for our services you will require a referral from either a GP or another specialist. Our team will let you know if we haven’t received a referral before your appointment.
Payment?
We are a private billing practice; payment is required in full on the day of your appointment. We have a flexible fee structure, with reduced fees for pensioners and health care card holders. We will submit your details to Medicare, if they have your bank details your rebate will be deposited into your bank account within 24-48 hours.
Can I use my health insurance to access your services?
We are registered as a no gap provider with health insurers, which means if you require a cardiac procedure as part of your treatment you will have no out of pocket charges other than your standard excess.
Health insurance can only be accessed when undergoing an in-hospital procedure, our standard outpatient services are covered by Medicare but do have a small out of pocket charge, which will be clearly communicated to you prior to your appointment.
What should I do if I have to cancel my appointment?
We require 24-48 hours notice to cancel an appointment; this allows us to move another patient from our waitlist. Appointments cancelled at short notice may be charged a late cancellation fee of the full schedule fee.