When you come for your appointment remember to bring the following:

• Referral letter from your GP, family physician or other doctor
• Your insurance information
• Copies of operation records, medical records, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and so on from prior doctor visits
• If you have seen a physiotherapist, please bring a progress letter from the therapist
• If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operation report

No. As long as your claim has been approved, ACC will cover the total cost of the initial appointments. However, if surgery is required a separate application for funding is sent to ACC – these can take up to two months to be processed.

No.  ACC ends up working as a private insurer in the private health sector, having private medical insurance will not ensure a sooner appointment. If surgery is required, most health insurers will not provide you with prior approval until a decision has been made by ACC (either approved or declined).

If you think your injury needs assessing urgently, you are best to go an After Hours clinic. Otherwise, you can phone to request an Urgent Appointment and we will do our best to find a space within a few days.

There are three options if this occurs.

1. You can have the ACC decision reviewed (if appropriate), in this situation it is best to talk to your surgeon.
2. You can self-fund your treatment/surgery, you would be responsible for paying 100% of the costs towards this.
3. Your surgeon can refer you to be seen in the public system where you can be placed on a wait list for an appointment.

Adam will do his best to make a prompt response. If it is an urgent matter, contact Sally and she will assist you.

Yes. If you have Southern Cross medical insurance, and are having either a knee or hip replacement we do the application to your insurer for cover. If you are not with Southern Cross or you are and are having a different procedure you will be required to organise prior approval.