First Visit
Arranging a consultation
Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete any necessary paperwork. Be sure to bring the following items:
We will request that a Patient Information Form be completed. To complete the form, you will need your Medicare and private health fund details, a list of medications, including herbal supplements, and any allergies.
It is a good idea to make a list of specific questions you may have, to attend a consultation with a family member or friend as support, and to help note the information Dr Kinzel discusses.
After your consultation, we will assist you with any arrangements for further appointments, tests, or surgery.
What to Bring to Your First Visit
When you book your consultation, we will ask you to gather the necessary information to bring to your appointment. These consist of:
Medical Information:
- A list of current medications
- Details of any drug allergies
- Previous X-rays, MRI, or CT scans
- Pathology reports
- A summary of your medical and family history
- Information on whether your condition is work-related
Identification:
- A driver’s license or other valid ID
- Medicare, DVA, or pension card
- An employer’s letter (if it’s a work-related issue) and approval from your case manager - you must bring an approval letter for your consultation from the insurance company.
Other Information:
- Your current diet and exercise routine
- Any relevant travel or journal notes
This range of information assists Dr Kinzel in making her recommendations for your treatment, tailoring them to your specific needs based on factors such as your general health, previous injuries and/or surgeries, occupation, day-to-day activities, and available aftercare assistance, if required.
Prescriptions
Please note: Strong painkillers, sleeping pills and drugs of dependency policy.
Except for palliative care needs, our policy is that we will not prescribe these types of medicines (e.g. OxyContin, morphine and Valium):
- at your first appointment
- on a phone request
- without a proper assessment
- over the long term (we prefer safer and better options).
Asking Questions
We encourage you to ask any questions or raise any concerns you may have. It’s essential that you fully understand your options and feel comfortable discussing your health.
FAQ
Look through the answers to the most popular questions from our patients.
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Do I need a referral to consult with Dr Kinzel?
Yes, you will require a referral from a GP or specialist doctor.
How quickly can I see Dr Kinzel for an appointment?
Depending on the urgency of your need to be seen, our practice manager will discuss your condition with you and make the necessary arrangements for your appointment. Dr Kinzel consults and operates each week between different clinic locations and hospitals.
How often do I need to see Dr Kinzel after my operation?
Dr Kinzel will see you at 1-2 weeks, then again at 6-8 weeks.
Thereafter, appointments will be made in appropriate timeframes pending your progress.
Do I need any imaging prior to my initial consultation?
Yes, you will need imaging, which either your referring doctor or our office can organise with you.
The type of imaging depends on the type of injury. These include X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound.
Can I claim from Medicare and my private health fund?
Your consultations are partially claimable from Medicare, and we can lodge your claim on your behalf with your GP/Specialist referral.
Surgery invoices can be partially claimed from both Medicare and your private health fund.
Do I need further imaging after my operation?
Depending on the procedure you have undergone, you may require follow-up imaging at different intervals until Dr Kinzel is confident that healing has occurred as required for your recovery.