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Information for patients

Welcome to our practice. We aim to make your experience as smooth, informed, and supportive as possible.

Below you’ll find information about our appointment fees and policies, how to make the most of your initial appointment, and privacy, data and communication aspects. 

Appointment fees
  • The standard initial consultation fee is $335, payable on the day of your appointment.
  • With a valid GP referral, eligible patients will receive a Medicare rebate.
  • If you’re insured under TAC, there is a consultation reimbursement available from TAC – typically covering around two-thirds of the cost. Speak with your insurer or claims manager to find out the current consultation rebate amount.
  • For information regarding Workcover please visit this page which sets out important information you need to know and links to an acknowledgement form that we require you complete prior to making an appointment.
Woman making a phone call to book an appointment

You can request an appointment via phone, email, by completing and submitting one of our online webform applications or via HotDoc. 

We require that all patients provide a referral before we will confirm an appointment booking with Dr Tomlinson. 

Person completing the patient registration form on a laptop

Telehealth consultations are conducted via our virtual clinic.

Screenshot of the Melbourne Hand Surgery virtual clinic check-in page on Doxy.me
  • Cancellation Policy: Please give at least one business day’s notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations within 24 hours incur the full consultation fee.
  • Late Arrival: If you’re late, your consultation time may be reduced, and out of courtesy to other patients we may ask you to rebook.

Please upload all requested information at least one business before your appointment. 

This assists us in having the necessary information, including access to imaging and test results, available for your consultation. It also allows Dr Tomlinson to read the information prior to your appointment. 

Our patient registration forms lead you through this process. Please provide the requested information to our office in advance of your appointment – not in a folder of information to Dr Tomlinson at the start of the consultation. 

Person completing the patient registration form on a smartphone
  • We use secure systems (HealthLink) for encrypted messaging with other healthcare providers.
  • We’re registered to access My Health Record.
 
When you complete the relevant patient registration form 
  • You’ll be asked to acknowledge our privacy policy, which explains how your personal information is collected, stored, used, and shared.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to place restrictions on the use of any photographs taken during your treatment
  • You’ll be asked if you wish to opt out of receiving SMS appointment reminders
  • You’ll be asked if you wish to opt out of having a digital scribe used during your consultation
Man working at a computer

If Dr Tomlinson recommends surgery to you our administrative staff will provide you with a detailed surgery fee estimate after your consultation, including the relevant item code(s). If you are self funding surgery then we will also request hospital, prosthesis and anaesthetic fee estimates (where applicable). 

We are unable to provide you with a fee estimate for hospital surgical procedures until after your consultation with Dr Tomlinson. We advise all patients to confirm their insurance eligibility and rebates with their insurer. Different insurers pay different rebates for the same operation, but our surgical fee does not depend on which insurer (if any) you have.