Frequently asked questions

Yes, a valid referral from a GP or another specialist is required under Medicare guidelines for you to receive rebates. GP referrals are generally valid for 12 months, and specialist-to-specialist referrals are valid for 3 months.

Please bring your referral letter, your Medicare and health insurance cards, any physical imaging films or CD disks (MRI, CT, X-ray) along with the radiologist reports, and a list of your current medications and allergies.

Initial neurosurgical and spinal consultations typically take 30 to 45 minutes to allow for a thorough neurological assessment, review of scans, and deep discussion regarding care options.

An initial consultation is billed at $350.00, and a review consultation is $180.00. Medicare rebates of $81.30 and $40.85 apply respectively, leaving a net out-of-pocket cost. Full payment is requested on the day.

Private health funds generally cover hospital bed stay, theatre fees, and clinical prosthetics. However, there is typically a gap fee for the surgeon and assistant surgeon. We provide a full Written Informed Financial Consent prior to any procedure.

This depends on your specific procedure. Minimally invasive microdiscectomies or decompressions may require only an overnight stay. Complex motion-preserving disc replacements or fusions typically require 2 to 4 nights in hospital.

Generally, you must not drive for at least 2 to 6 weeks following major spine or brain surgery, and you must be completely off all strong opioid pain medications and have full, pain-free mobility in your limbs.