Generally, specialists require that you see a doctor first, so they can assess your condition and discuss the best option with you, before referring you to a specialist. We can get the process started easily with an online doctor's appointment.
How do specialist referrals work?
Once you've seen a GP and been referred to a specialist, you'll have an appointment with them to assess your condition and recommend the best care for you. As part of the referral, you may be asked to fill out an 'Impact on Life Questionnaire' to give a clear picture of how, and to what extent, your condition impacts your daily life.
You may be required to undertake more tests or a course of medication after which you may need to be reviewed again. Once your specialist has a fair and full understanding of your condition, they'll be able to recommend the best course of treatment for you, if previous treatments haven't been successful.
Will my specialist treatment covered by ACC?
We recommend checking with your specialist as to whether your appointment is covered by ACC or health insurance, when you book your appointment. This can vary for different conditions. We'll do our best to refer to you the most appropriate specialist, but it's also important that you check if your injury or condition is covered. Referrals to physiotherapists and other specialists are often subsidised, however the amount of cover can vary and so it's always best to get this information directly from your specialist.