New Thing FAQ

This page includes many of the frequently asked questions that we receive. We hope this quick summary answers your questions.

We know that women and couples have so many questions relating to gynaecology, fertility and pregnancy for their specialists, but we also receive many general questions about referrals, appointments, fees, private health insurance, hospitals and Medicare. Below are some frequently asked questions that we often receive.

If you still have a question please phone us on 07 3332 1999 or see our Contact page and we will be happy to help you.

Do I need a referral to make an appointment with an Eve Specialist?

A referral from your GP is required in order to claim any Medicare benefits you are entitled to. Your referral can be made out to a specific specialist, or to Eve Health.

  • We recommend all patients obtain a referral from their GP or specialist prior to their appointment with an Eve Health Specialist.  If you are the holder of a Medicare card, a referral entitles you to a Medicare rebate on your consultation fee and any subsequent treatment.  A referral letter usually contains important information about your treatment, which may save time at the initial consultation.
  • A referral from a GP is valid for 12 months from the date of your first appointment, or 3 months if the referral is written by another specialist or consultant physician.
  • A referral letter must be used for the first time within 12 months of the date the referral was written.
  • A referral covers a single course of treatment for the referred condition so if your condition changes (eg: fertility to obstetric care), a new referral would be required.
  • A referral letter is not required to see a member of our Allied Health Team (dietitian, physiotherapist or psychologist).  You may however be eligible for a Care Plan or Team Care Arrangement in which Medicare would pay a rebate on the cost of the consultation.  We recommend discussing this with your GP.

Do you offer after-hours appointments?

Eve Health offers after-hours appointments before and after usual business hours Monday – Friday and on some Saturday mornings. Please contact Reception on 07 3332 1999 if you require an after-hours appointment.

Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff is bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment. The contents of your medical file will not be released without your signed consent.

Fees and Insurance

What is your fee structure and billing policy?

Information on our current fee structure is available from our office. We are not a bulk billing practice and we do request payment at the time of consultation and commencement of fertility cycles. We accept credit cards (Visa and MasterCard), EFTPOS and direct deposit. As of 1st April 2019, Eve Health will no longer accept cash payments.

Pre-payment of the estimated surgery cost is payable two weeks prior to your procedure. Variations to this billing structure are at our discretion. Please note, additional fees may be incurred when patients are referred to pathology, ultrasound specialists or other health care providers.  These fees are separate to our fees and remain the responsibility of the patient.

Due to the wide range of rebates that private health companies provide, Eve Health does not routinely participate in No Gap schemes as the rebate amount does not always reflect the extensive training and skills of our Eve Health specialists.

How much will my insurance cover?

In general, your private health fund and Medicare will cover a portion of your fees. Please note that there will be an out-of-pocket gap for most consultations and your surgery, and this varies from one procedure to another. For surgery, we will give you a quote for your surgeon’s fees and an estimate of your gap prior to your surgery. Each private insurer provides different cover based on your circumstances and policy. It is your responsibility to ensure your health fund will adequately cover your surgery.

We also recommend you register for the Medicare Safety Net by visiting the Medicare website www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.   If you are eligible for the Medicare Safety Net this may provide you with additional rebates for your out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services for the calendar year.

Obstetrics

When should I have my first appointment?

We recommend you contact us to book your first appointment as soon as you know you are pregnant. Most women will have their first appointment between 7 and 10 weeks for a dating scan where you will see your baby for the first time. Of course, you are welcome to come and see us earlier than 7 weeks if you like.

Where do Eve Health obstetricians deliver?

Eve Health delivers at both Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital Brisbane and The Wesley Hospital. Your choice of obstetrician will largely determine the hospital at which you will deliver.

Dr Ben Kroon delivers exclusively at The Wesley Hospital; Dr Robyn Aldridge, Dr Rob Butler, Dr Paul Conaghan, Dr Tal Jacobson, Dr David Moore and Dr Kellie Tathem deliver exclusively at the Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital; and Dr Julie Buchanan and Dr Matthew Smith offer delivery at both hospitals.

Who do I contact if I need assistance outside of my clinic appointments?

In a medical emergency, call the Ambulance on 000. If you are experiencing symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or fluid loss, contractions, have noticed a reduction in baby’s movements, or you are unwell, please call the below contact for your respective hospital of delivery. The midwives will advise you of the most appropriate course of action.

 

Mater Mothers’ Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC)
07 3163 8800

 

Wesley Hospital Labour Ward
07 3232 7221

 

If you have non-urgent symptoms, please contact the Eve Health Reception team, who will arrange an appointment with your specialist as soon as possible. Phone 07 3332 1999, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

What if my chosen specialist is unavailable for my birth?

On the rare occasion that your obstetrician is unavailable for your birth, you can rest assured that another Eve obstetrician, who knows and understands your personal case, will be there to care for you with the same skill and expertise you can expect from all Eve obstetricians. All doctors have immediate access to your records and information and will cater to your needs. We are very proud to share that 94% of women have their chosen obstetrician at their baby’s birth.*

*Based on deliveries by Eve Health obstetricians between April 2018 to January 2019.

What fees are associated with your obstetric services?

During your pregnancy you will have antenatal appointments with your chosen Eve Health Obstetrician.  The appointment fee is payable at the time of your consultation.  If you have a valid Medicare card and referral letter, Medicare will pay a rebate on the cost of your appointments.

 

You may also have appointments with our Midwife, Physiotherapist, Dietician, Psychologist or attend Antenatal Education classes during your pregnancy. There is no Medicare rebate for these appointments, however private health insurance extras may assist with the cost.

 

At 28 weeks’ gestation you will pay a Pregnancy Management Fee (PMF) to your chosen Eve Health specialist obstetrician. The PMF covers the continuous care, on-call availability and management of your pregnancy by your obstetrician and Eve Heath maternity team, until you are six weeks postnatal.  A PMF is charged by all private obstetricians and Medicare will pay a rebate on the fee.  Private health insurance does not apply to the PMF.

 

If you have an appropriate level of obstetric cover, your delivery will be billed directly to your private health insurance with no out of pocket cost to you.  If, however, you are uninsured or have limited cover, delivery fees will apply.  If you are unsure about your level of cover, please discuss this with our team on 07 3332 1999 or your private health insurer.

 

Other costs that you may incur during your pregnancy include hospital excess, pathology, radiology imaging, anaesthetist and paediatrician.

Fertility

When should I see a fertility specialist?

We recommend seeing a fertility specialist after 6 months of unsuccessful attempts at conception for women over 35, and 12 months of unsuccessful conception for women under 35.

If you experience irregular periods, or you are already aware that you have a fertility issue, we recommend seeking advice sooner.

How much will an initial consultation cost?

Eve Health offers comprehensive Fertility consultation appointments for a fee of $275 – $325. For patients with Medicare and a current referral, this fee includes a consultation for one or both partners with your choice of Eve Health specialists, a diagnostic ultrasound scan (if required) and support from our Eve Health fertility nurses. A referral is required for each partner to be eligible for Medicare rebates.

Limited early and after-hours appointments as well as Saturday appointments are available with some of our fertility specialists. To book a consultation, please phone our friendly team on 3332 1999.

What options are open to us other than IVF?

Fertility specialists at Eve Health have access to all treatment options, including medical management of hormonal disorders, ovulation induction, insemination, egg / embryo / sperm donation, surgery including advanced endoscopic surgery, and of course, IVF.

Your doctor will start by conducting a thorough investigation of any underlying causes for conception difficulties. To do this, our specialists have access to all advanced molecular and genetic assessments available. Our fertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists can assess and manage all fertility, recurrent IVF and pregnancy loss conditions.

Are your doctors recognised specialists in fertility?

All Eve fertility specialists are certified Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialists with RANZCOG and are also accredited by the Clinical Director of Fertility, A/Prof Anusch Yazdani, a subspecialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI).

Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology can perform the assessment and management of patients with infertility. Subspecialists in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (CREI) are specifically certified and trained in the assessment and management of patients with infertility, their suitability for pregnancy and the welfare of the unborn child. Subspecialists are able to offer all treatment options and manage all problems, including repeated IVF failure and complex surgery.

In Queensland, there are only four certified subspecialists in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, three of whom – Dr Ben Kroon, A/Prof Anusch Yazdani and Prof Hayden Homer – work at Eve Health.

All specialists at Eve Health are annually accredited, reviewed and participate in an active education program. Eve Health is actively engaged in continued medical education and conducts the only accredited subspecialist training program in Reproductive Endocrinology, in addition to the only Advanced Endoscopic Surgery Training Program in the state.

Gynaecology

Where do Eve doctors perform gynaecology procedures?

Eve Health specialists perform gynaecology procedures in a number of hospitals across Brisbane including the Mater Private Hospital, The Wesley Hospital, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and Spring Hill Specialist Day Hospital.

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