Please reach us at reception@caloundragastro.com or phone 5499 7366 if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Yes. To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, a referral is required for your consultation. Once your GP has submitted the referral (usually electronically), you will receive an SMS confirming that it has been received and reviewed by our doctor. At that point, you will be able to schedule your appointment. This process typically takes about 3 business days from the time the referral is received by Caloundra Gastroenterology.
Like many gastroenterology clinics across Australia, our practice operates under an open access endoscopy model supported by Medicare. This system is designed to improve efficiency and reduce patient wait times by allowing general practitioners (GPs) to directly refer patients for procedures such as colonoscopies, without requiring a prior consultation with a specialist. This approach helps ensure timely access to important diagnostic procedures, especially when GP referrals indicate a clear clinical need.
However, we completely respect that some patients may prefer to consult with a specialist before proceeding with a procedure. GPs are welcome to request this in their referral, and when such a request is made, we ensure that a specialist consultation is arranged prior to any endoscopic investigation. Every referral we receive is carefully reviewed and triaged by our clinical team, in line with best practice and based on the information and preferences outlined by the referring GP.
To schedule an appointment, please call Specialists on Fourth | Caloundra Gastroenterology at 07 5499 7366. Please have your Medicare card and private health insurance information ready when you book your appointment.
As gastroenterology appointments can require specific considerations, we are currently unable to offer online bookings.
Each referral is carefully triaged based on priority, which may result in a waitlist of 3-6 weeks for procedures or appointments(some extensions apply with the interruption of public holidays and staff leave). Our team will offer you the next available appointment according to the triage level assigned to your referral. We understand that wait times can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience and respect as we strive to provide the best possible appointment times for every patient. Additionally, we maintain a cancellation list for last-minute availability, so you may be contacted if an earlier spot opens up.
Specialists on Fourth Caloundra Gastroenterology accepts most major insurance plans including some travel insurance policies. Most Health Insurance policies cover the cost of procedures, however, in-patient clinic appointments are privately billed.
Dr Samidurai is an agreed no GAP doctor, which means that there are no additional fees to the Gastroenterologist, provided your health insurance policy covers your nominated procedure. Please contact us to verify that we accept your particular insurance plan.
Yes, health insurance is not always required. Some patients choose to pay for private healthcare. All in-patient clinic appointments are billed privately. For procedures, there are three fees to consider: the Doctors fee, the Anaesthetist's fee, and the hospital fee. A $200 deposit is required upfront in order to secure your booking for the procedure. For more details about these privately paying fees for uninsured patients, please contact our clinic directly.
We operate as a private billing practice. Our patients are charged for their consultations, with most of the cost eligible for reimbursement through Medicare. Our fees are structured within the guidelines of the Australian Medical Association (AMA). For more details about fees specific to your appointment, please contact our clinic directly.
At Caloundra Gastroenterology we understand that unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or emergencies, may arise. If you need to cancel an appointment or procedure, we kindly ask that you contact our practice rooms as soon as possible via email reception@caloundragastro.com or calling 5499 7366 within business hours. If you need to cancel the day of your procedure, please contact Caloundra Private Day Hospital using the contact details on your admission form.
To ensure that all patients have access to timely care, we require at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. If we do not receive communication within this timeframe, a Failure to Attend fee will be charged to your account. This fee must be settled before rescheduling your appointment.
This policy allows us to accommodate other patients who are waiting for appointments or on urgent cancellation lists, ensuring that our clinic operates efficiently and that everyone has the opportunity to receive care without unnecessary delays.
We have a patient resource page with information regarding colonoscopy and endoscopy procedures. If you would prefer further reading we suggest reading some resources on the Gastroenterological Society of Australia website.
Once your colonoscopy appointment is scheduled, you will also be offered a consultation with our practice nurse, who will guide you through the instructions for taking the bowel preparation. Further information about the procedure can be found here.
For our patients, the required colonoscopy preparation solution is compiled into a custom bowel preparation kit. Our $40 Colonoscopy Kits include a consultation with our practice nurse, personalised instructions, and all the necessary pharmaceuticals you require for a smooth and successful procedure.
Our experienced medical administration team will provide you with all the information you need to know prior to your procedure. Further information about the procedure can be found here.
The procedures are performed at the recently refurbished Caloundra Private Day Hospital, Ramsay Health. All procedures are a day procedure, as there are no hospital admissions for gastroenterology patients at this hospital. Caloundra Private Day Hospital is located at 96 Beerburrum St, Battery Hill, Queensland.
We are committed to treating all patients with respect and dignity, and we expect the same courtesy in return. Our team works hard to provide compassionate and high-quality care, and we strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
For the safety and wellbeing of our staff and other patients, we cannot accommodate rude or abusive behaviour, including but not limited to:
We value respect, kindness, and professionalism, and we ask all visitors to uphold these same principles during their time at our practice.
In the event of a breach of this policy, referrals will be returned to the patient’s GP so that care can be continued at an alternative facility.
Thank you for your cooperation in fostering a safe and respectful environment for all.
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