The Australian Government (Medicare Australia) requires you have a current referral letter to be able to claim your Medicare rebate for specialist consultations and procedures. If you do not have a referral, you will not get a rebate from Medicare for your consultation or claim any rebate from Medicare or from private health insurance for inpatient hospital services. Any services provided without a referral will require full payment in advance. A referral from a GP will last 12 months and from another specialist only 3 months. Referrals are not required to see our Continence GPs or our Continence Nurse.
Please visit this page for more information about referrals.
We understand there can be long wait times for appointments with doctors. Please call an ambulance or present to your nearest emergency medical service for urgent medical attention. If you believe you need to be seen earlier than our next available appointment by one of our doctors, you will need to submit a supporting referral letter that our doctor can review and triage.
If you have recently had surgery or recent care from our doctors requiring priority review, please provide information in an email or phone us. Emails are attended during office hours more frequently than phone messages.
If you need to contact your surgeon after hours for urgent matters, phone 82399100.
Please visit this page for the details regarding new patient appointments.
Please email us your name and date of birth (we can have patients with the same name). Include which appointment you want to cancel (doctor, date and time), and we will reply to confirm your cancellation. Please state if you need to rebook and if there are any requirements, e.g., after February. We can then reply email with a new suggested time slot.
Online payments for Drs Pillay can be made online.
To make an online payment, you need to know the amount you want to pay.
The payment links are as follows:
You will need to enter the amount you are paying.
Enter Bill/Invoice Reference 1. (We don’t use this feature, but you cannot leave it blank).
You will receive a payment confirmation for a deposit.
After your appointment, a receipt will be sent to you.
If you have a procedure and you are required to pay in full, after the procedure, you will be sent a receipt to submit to your health fund or medicare.
If you have a procedure where we submit a claim to your private health fund on your behalf, you can request a copy of the invoice once the health fund has paid us. It can take a few weeks for them to pay us.
We will check with your doctor before we reply to your email. There are Medicare requirements, and the doctor will review your clinical notes to check that an examination is not essential and then let us know if it is okay to change your appointment to a phone or video consult. We will confirm this by reply email. Usually, the appointment time is unchanged. You will be sent a payment link prior to prepay for the consult. The doctor will phone you or skype.
Please email us if you want a repeat prescription or a prescription not associated with a recent procedure or appointment. Include your name, date of birth, which doctor you see at the practice and what medication you want a prescription for, in your email. Please note there is a $15.00 fee for these prescriptions. Alternatively, you can obtain these from your GP.
Yes, our clinical staff see men, women and children with bladder and pelvic problems, predominately the conditions covered in this site. They do not practice in general urology conditions such as cancers, stones and prostate and erection problems. If you are unsure, check with her reception staff when making an appointment. Our doctors can refer you to other doctors as appropriate if required. We do not treat children under the age of five years.
Your doctor will discuss with you your symptoms and any relevant history and perform an examination when and as appropriate. Any further investigative procedures required will be scheduled at that time.
Dr Pillay usually sees patients from age 16 years.
Although we try to inform patients if their referral has run out, we are not always able to do this, and it is your responsibility to check prior to your appointment if you have a valid referral. We can reply by email to your inquiry regarding if your referral is still valid. We recommend that you record when your current referral runs out at each appointment, so you can plan if you need another for your next visit. Note referrals from GPs last 12 months and from specialists, 3 months. No referrals are required to see our Continence GPs or nurse, only the surgeons.
Information can change, and whether you are a patient or a visitor, click here for regular updates- Please review the Calvary Hospital screening updates for entering the hospital.
And for more information, visit this page.
Yes. This will be arranged by Calvary on your admission. For more information visit: https://www.calvarycare.org.au/notifications/information-for-patients-aged-care-residents-and-visitors/
Australian government (Medicare Australia) rules that you can only claim services provided by a doctor whilst you are admitted to the hospital through your private health insurance. They do not allow patients to claim outpatient services such as consultations, and other outpatient procedures through their private health insurance. Once you are admitted to hospital you can then claim inpatient services through your private health insurance.
This can help your doctor to diagnose your condition and recommend treatments sooner. If you are unsure, you can email us to check. If it is not relevant to your problem, you do not need to complete it.
Visit this page for more information about bladder diaries.
A mid stream urine test will help to exclude not only infection but also blood or inflammatory (white) cells in the urine. If you have had a urine test in the last 6 months bring a copy of the result to your appointment. If you have had a urine test showing an infection a follow up urine test to show this has completely resolved if you still have bladder problems is recommended prior to your appointment.
Visit this page for more information on how to perform a clean catch urine specimen and avoid contamination.
This is a test using ultrasound to see if you empty your bladder. You will be asked to come to your appointment with a full bladder. After emptying your bladder the ultrasound is used to measure how much urine if any, is left behind (the residual). Using gel, a round probe is placed over the lower part of the abdominal wall. The procedure is painless and can be performed in the consulting rooms.
Absolutely. Many people prefer to have someone with them for support, such as a family member or friend. They can often help you to remember information and instructions that may be provided during the consultation. They can be present for only part of the consultation if you wish. For example, you may ask them to step outside during any examination that is performed if it is required. (Any temporary restrictions due to COVID can be applied by the hospital or state government.)
Yes and they will bill gold card holders through the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Fees vary for consultations, procedures and surgery. Quotes are provided in advance by reception staff when bookings are made. Full payment for in-person consultations with surgeons and GPs are requested on the day, and prior for phone consults. We accept EFTPOS (credit or debit cards) and online payments via a payment link. We do not accept cash payments. We are unable to reduce our fees for pensioners or health care card holders.
You cannot claim your consultations through your private health coverage in Australia, only your hospital admissions. Your health cover status does not affect your booking times or wait times for appointments. A valid referral and medicare entitlement are required to get your medicare rebate.
Full payment is required for in person consultations on the day or prior for phone consultations. You account is submitted to Medicare who will then pay you directly your Medicare rebate if you are covered by Medicare and have a valid referral.
You can still see our doctors for a consultation, investigation, opinion and diagnosis. Dr Ashani Couchman also operates at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and consults at RAH and Hampstead Hosptial. Dr Wilson Edwards operates at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Dr Pillay does not operate in a public hospital and would have to refer you on to another surgeon if you require surgery in a public hospital. If you think you are going to require surgery in a public hospital then you should discuss your referring doctor if you are better to see a surgeon who operates in a public hospital. (Some patients without private health insurance can ‘self-fund’. This is where they pay to have procedures in a private hospital and quotes for this can be provided.)
The consulting rooms are located on the ground floor of Calvary Hospital, not far from the main entrance. Street parking is available surrounding the hospital. Bus route number is 252 (to Arndale Shopping Centre), leaving King William Street in the city, exit at bus stop number 5. There is disabled access. Disabled toilets are adjacent to oour consulting suites on the ground floor.
Our doctors at Continence Matters only provide Treating Doctor reports, not Medi-Legal Assessments.
Please contact the practice prior to your appointment so this can be arranged. You will be responsible for the cost of the interpreting services. Quotes can be provided.
