Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
#1
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Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
Hi 2 all
One of my friends recently has encountered some mental issues. It is the first time He is going to see a doctor in Australia. He doesn't know how to do that and neither do I to guide him!
Any Gold Coast resident has similar experience?
P.S. He is a Permanent Resident (He has Medicare Card) of Australia.
Will it cost him very much?
Thanks
One of my friends recently has encountered some mental issues. It is the first time He is going to see a doctor in Australia. He doesn't know how to do that and neither do I to guide him!
Any Gold Coast resident has similar experience?
P.S. He is a Permanent Resident (He has Medicare Card) of Australia.
Will it cost him very much?
Thanks
#2
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
Hi 2 all
One of my friends recently has encountered some mental issues. It is the first time He is going to see a doctor in Australia. He doesn't know how to do that and neither do I to guide him!
Any Gold Coast resident has similar experience?
P.S. He is a Permanent Resident (He has Medicare Card) of Australia.
Will it cost him very much?
Thanks
One of my friends recently has encountered some mental issues. It is the first time He is going to see a doctor in Australia. He doesn't know how to do that and neither do I to guide him!
Any Gold Coast resident has similar experience?
P.S. He is a Permanent Resident (He has Medicare Card) of Australia.
Will it cost him very much?
Thanks
#3
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 332
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
He needs to see a GP for a referral to a psychiatrist (if the GP deems it necessary). There may or may not be a fee for seeing the GP depending on whether they bulk bill. If he does have to pay it would usually be around $60-$70 of which $33 is refundable from Medicare. He will almost certainly have to pay to see the psychiatrist if he doesn't want to wait 12 months or more for a public clinic. Private psychs are not cheap.
Apparently he can not afford the psychiatrist if the visit fee is expensive. He decides to go to a public clinic although he knows he have to wait.
1- What is the A-Z of process of visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic?
2- How much will visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic cost him? ( with his medicare card )
Cheers
#4
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
He may not need to see a psychiatrist - there are other alternatives which may be a way into the system. If he has depression for example then his GP may recommend (free) sessions with a psychologist. The local mental health team which usually comprises psych nurses, social workers, psychologists may be able to support him at least in the short term and they would be free. Alternatively, if he has a crisis (suicidal etc) then there will be a mental health crisis intervention team in your area. If all that fails and he just needs someone to talk to about his issues then Lifeline is always a good starting point 13 11 14.
However, general rule of thumb is start with your GP and they will refer to appropriate agencies.
However, general rule of thumb is start with your GP and they will refer to appropriate agencies.
#5
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
Thnx for your reply.
Apparently he can not afford the psychiatrist if the visit fee is expensive. He decides to go to a public clinic although he knows he have to wait.
1- What is the A-Z of process of visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic?
2- How much will visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic cost him? ( with his medicare card )
Cheers
Apparently he can not afford the psychiatrist if the visit fee is expensive. He decides to go to a public clinic although he knows he have to wait.
1- What is the A-Z of process of visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic?
2- How much will visiting a psychiatrist in a public clinic cost him? ( with his medicare card )
Cheers
#6
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
He needs to see a GP for a referral to a psychiatrist (if the GP deems it necessary). There may or may not be a fee for seeing the GP depending on whether they bulk bill. If he does have to pay it would usually be around $60-$70 of which $33 is refundable from Medicare. He will almost certainly have to pay to see the psychiatrist if he doesn't want to wait 12 months or more for a public clinic. Private psychs are not cheap.
I think at safety net level it would be about 80% back so $50 ie 20% of $250 would be your net outlay. Sorry your friends net outlay.
#7
Re: Gold Coast residents: What is the A-Z of visiting a psychiatrist in Gold Coast?
If he needs to see a psychiatrist urgently (ie he's in crisis) he can attend an ED at the local general hospital and have a psych assessment. Most major hospitals have psych nurses and psychiatrists attached to the ED.