What is a single course of treatment?

Under Medicare referral requirements, a referral covers a single course of treatment for the referred condition.

A single course of treatment begins with an initial attendance by the specialist and includes subsequent attendances for the continuing management or treatment of that condition.

No.

Receiving a new referral after an earlier referral has expired does not automatically mean that a new course of treatment has commenced.

If the dermatologist is continuing to manage the same condition, subsequent consultation Medicare items will generally continue to apply.

Medicare allows another initial specialist attendance for the same condition where all of the following apply:

• the referring practitioner decides that the condition requires review;

• the patient is seen after the previous referral has expired; and

• the patient was last seen by the dermatologist more than 9 months earlier.

Where these requirements are satisfied, the attendance following the new referral may commence a new course of treatment for Medicare purposes.

A new or unrelated condition may commence a separate course of treatment.

A new referral is required for Medicare benefits to be claimed where the dermatologist is asked to assess or treat a new or unrelated condition outside the existing course of treatment.

An indefinite referral remains valid for the ongoing care and management of the condition or conditions for which it was issued.

It does not automatically extend to new or unrelated dermatological conditions that arise in the future.

If you are unsure whether your existing referral covers the reason for your appointment, please contact our reception staff before attending.