Consultation FAQs
What type of consultations do you offer?
Currently, consultations are offered via tele-health (online video or phone). Consultations include advice tailored to suit your lifestyle, health needs and goals. A typical initial consultation will take about 50-60 minutes and follow-up (review) consultations take 20-30 minutes. Initial consultations for people with complex health or dietary needs, for breastfeeding mums and their babies and for couples take 85-90 minutes.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, no referral is required. However, if you have a chronic disease (e.g. obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, Inflammatory Bowel Disease etc) or an eating disorder, you may be eligible for rebates under Medicare for our services, and if you want to claim these you will need to first obtain a “Management Plan” from your G.P. The paperwork will need to be sent to us prior to your first appointment. You’ll also need to provide your Medicare card number and date of birth in order to enable us to process your rebate.
How do I book in for a consultation?
The easiest way to book in is to use our online booking service When you book in you will need to provide your name, email address, mobile phone number and payment details (but you will not be charged until the appointment time.) You’ll be emailed confirmation of your appointment time. If you have any problems with the online booking system, or can’t find a time/day to suit you, please get in touch via email or give us a call on 1300 53 63 63.
What happens after I book in?
After you book in you’ll be sent an email which contains important information. It also has a link to an online form, the Pre-Consultation Form. The form asks for background information on your health etc to enable a comprehensive assessment to be made. (Note that this is a secure form which is encrypted before being sent to us, to assure your privacy and confidentiality.)
By completing this form before the appointment it enables best use to be made of the consultation time. You’ll also be sent a link to click on to enter the online “office” for your consultation.
What does a consultation involve?
- Information gathering: First of all we’ll go over the information you supplied in the Pre-Consultation Form, and ask you more questions about your health, diet and related matters.
- Assessment: Next step is an assessment of any current or potential nutrition-related health issues, your nutritional health, your current eating pattern and factors impacting these.
- Goal-setting: Together we’ll decide upon some realistic goals.
- Action Plan: We’ll outline an action plan for working towards your goals. This will involve practical recommendations and relevant resources.
- Follow-up Plan: A follow-up plan for subsequent consultations, which will involve ongoing assessment, action plans, support and advice.
How much do consultations cost?
Consultation costs are as follows:
| Consultation Type | Fee |
|---|---|
|
One-on-one consultation: face-to-face or via tele-health (online video or phone) |
|
|
Initial (50-60 minutes) |
$160 |
|
Initial (complex, couples or lactating mother and baby, 80-90 min) |
$215 |
|
Follow-up (review) consultation (25 min) |
$80 |
Note: Consultations on a GP Management Plan (Chronic Disease or Eating Disorder) attract a Medicare rebate of $56.00. This is processed after your consultation fee has been paid.
If you have a current Health Care Concession Card there is a discount of $40 off your initial consultation and $20 off subsequent consultations. You will need to show your Health Care Card at the beginning of the consultation so that the discount can be applied.
Can I claim a rebate from my private health insurance fund?
If you have cover for dietitian’s appointments you will be eligible for a rebate for individual consultations. You will need to check with your fund to find out how much the rebate payable is, annual limits etc. You will be emailed an itemised receipt upon payment for your consultation.
Are there Medicare rebates on consultation fees?
Medicare rebates apply to dietitians’ fees if the consultation is part of a Chronic Disease Management Plan (CDMP, also known as a “Care Plan” or “Management Plan”), which needs to be supplied by your G.P. If your G.P. refers you with a CDMP you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 5 visits per year. Alternatively, if you are referred as part of an Eating Disorders Plan (EDP) you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate for up to 20 visits per year.
Currently the Medicare rebate is $56.00 per visit. (More information here.)
Normally, you will need to pay our full fee at the time of consultation and then we will process your Medicare rebate, which Medicare generally pays into your bank account on the next business day. Medicare rebates apply for both telehealth (video or phone) and face-to-face consultations, and you need a current Australian Medicare card to be eligible.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please try to give at least 48 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel or reschedule your appointment. If you give less than 24 hours notice or fail to attend your appointment, the full fee is payable. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, 50% fee is payable. This applies to all appointments.
I’m unsure whether you can help me or not. What should I do?
If you’re not sure if PB Nutrition can help you, the best option is to contact us and we’ll let you know if we are the right fit for you or not.