Appointment Information

FAQs

Whether you’re visiting Blackwood Podiatry for the first time or returning for ongoing care, here’s some helpful information about our fees, payment options and appointment policies.

  • Blackwood Podiatry is a private billing practice.

    Our fees vary depending on the type of appointment you require.

    Please contact our friendly reception team if you would like to discuss fees before booking.

  • Payment is required on the day of your consultation. We accept:

    • Cash

    • Debit cards

    • Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards

    We offer HICAPS, allowing eligible patients with private health insurance to claim their rebate at the time of their appointment. Your rebate will depend on your level of cover and your health fund’s benefits.

  • A few simple things can help us get the most out of your appointment together:

    Toenail care: If you would like your toenails assessed or treated, please remove any nail polish, acrylic nails or shellac beforehand. We are unable to use our nail care instruments on coloured or covered nails.

    Wear comfortable clothing: If your appointment involves a lower-limb or walking assessment, shorts or trousers that can be easily rolled up are helpful.

    Bring your footwear: If you have foot or lower-limb pain, please bring the shoes you wear most often, as well as any footwear you use for work, sport or exercise.

    Bring relevant information: If you have recent scans, imaging reports, specialist letters or orthoses related to your concern, please bring them along.

    Make a note of your concerns: It can be helpful to write down your symptoms, when they started and any questions you would like to discuss with your podiatrist.

    Bring your referral and relevant cards: If you are attending under a Medicare plan or DVA arrangements, please bring your referral and relevant Medicare or DVA details.

    If you have any questions or specific needs you would like us to know about before your appointment, please get in touch. We’re happy to help.

  • No referral is required for general podiatry appointments.

    A referral is required if you are attending under:

    • A Medicare GP Chronic Condition Management Plan

    • Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Allied Health Treatment Cycle arrangements

  • As a small family business, short-notice cancellations and missed appointments can have a significant impact on our ability to offer appointments to other patients.

    We require at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment.

    If you provide less than 24 hours’ notice, we may charge a $33 late cancellation fee or a $66 fee for a missed appointment (no-show). These fees are payable by electronic funds transfer or at your next appointment.

    Third-party organisations and private health insurers do not cover cancellation fees, and patients must pay them directly.

  • We do not bulk-bill Medicare services. Eligible patients attending under a Medicare plan pay the full consultation fee, with the Medicare rebate paid into their nominated bank account.

    If you think you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate through a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, please contact our team before your appointment to discuss the referral requirements.

  • We welcome Support at Home clients to our Blackwood clinic for podiatry appointments. However, we do not provide home visits.

    If you are accessing podiatry through a Support at Home provider, please contact our team before booking to discuss your arrangements.

  • We welcome NDIS participants who are self-managed or plan-managed. Unfortunately, we are unable to see participants whose plans are NDIA-managed (agency-managed).

    New NDIS patients: Please contact our team before booking so we can discuss your needs and confirm the funding arrangements for your appointment.

  • Short-notice cancellations for NDIS participants are billed in accordance with the applicable NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.

    We require at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule an NDIS appointment. If the required notice is not provided, a cancellation fee of up to 100% of the appointment cost may apply, subject to the NDIS requirements.

    Please refer to the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits for further information.

  • If you have any other questions about fees, referrals or which appointment is right for you, please contact our team on 08 8278 4100. We’ll be happy to help.