Patient Information

Mr Gomes manages patients that have sustained brain or spinal injuries at work or as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Before you make an appointment, your employer must lodge a new workover claim or you must contact Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to commence a new claim. If you are deemed to have a valid claim, the cost of treatment falls under TAC or Workcover.

Mr Gomes’ acceptance of Workcover and TAC referrals is based on a current claim number, having an assigned case manager and an approval letter for neurosurgical appointments.

We can bill TAC or Workcover directly for your consultation. If your claim number cannot be supplied on the day of your consultation, you must pay in full. Most of the time, you can claim this account yourself though Workcover or TAC.

If your injury needs surgical treatment, you will bear no out of pocket cost for the operation. Our team must have written acceptance of liability for the cost at the time your operation is booked. Most investigations such as scans and any rehabilitation required are billed directly to TAC or Workcover. Your case manager will need to check this first.

To make an appointment with Mr Gomes, obtain a referral from your General Practitioner (GP) or Medical Specialist. This referral needs to be received by our team prior to, or at the time you make an appointment.

If you wish to make an appointment or have any questions, please contact Mr Gomes’ rooms on 03 8318 4929.

First Appointment

Medicare pays for some of the cost of your first appointment. There is usually a remaining “out of pocket” cost for you which needs to be paid on the day of your appointment. There is no out of pocket cost for Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card Holders.

Surgery Fees

Private health insurance will pay some of the cost for you to have your surgical treatment in a private hospital. This operation is performed by a surgeon of your choosing and in a shorter wait time. The level of your cover determines how much out of pocket expense is left for you to pay. Mr Gomes ensures this is kept to the minimum; it is important to discuss this with him at your consultation. There are several costs to surgery in the private system and many of these are outlined below.

• Surgeons Fees: Mr Gomes’ fee is guided by the Australian Medical Association (AMA). Medicare makes a contribution to his fee and a contribution is made by your private health insurance.
  
• Assistant’s Fees: Mr Gomes will often need a doctor to assist him during surgery, this assistant may attract a small out of pocket fee.
  
• Anaesthetist’s Fees: Anaesthetists fees varies, and they will discuss this with you.
  
• Hospital Bed and Theatre Costs: There is a cost for the hospital bed and use of the operating theatre. Usually this is covered by your private health insurance, but it is important to check prior to surgery your level of cover, as an excess payment may be required.
  
• Instrumentation: The cost of instrumentation needed for your operation are often covered by your private health insurance. There are certain circumstances where they are not, and this will incur further out of pocket expenses.
  
• Imaging, Blood Tests and other Investigations that are needed during or after your surgery may incur added costs.

Public (Uninsured) Patients

Mr Gomes manages public (uninsured) patients. Your condition might not need surgery and you may want the advice of a surgeon. You can get a referral; which Mr Gomes will review and book accordingly depending on clinical urgency. When surgery is recommended and if requested you will be given an estimate of funding your treatment in the private system. If you wish to self-fund your surgery, our team is able to arrange a payment plan for you.

Overseas Patients

Overseas patients will be required to pay costs on admission. If there are any additional costs incurred during your hospital stay, you will receive an account for the balance. You are responsible for claiming the cost back from your insurance company.

You may be admitted the day of your operation and go home after or be admitted the night before your operation. It is important that someone drives you home. You will need to bring:

• Your regular medication.
  
• The information pack given to you at your consultation.
  
• Pathology results. Your Anaethestist or Physician will contact you about this before your surgery.
  
• Any questions that you have written down and wish to ask. If there is anything you do not understand please ask.
  
• Your Nerve conduction Study Results and any imaging, if instructed by Mr Gomes.

Your regular medications need to be checked with your Anaesthetist. Generally, you should take your normal medication with a small sip of water the day of your operation. Patients taking blood thinning medication will be taken off these for an appropriate amount of time prior to surgery.

• Mr Gomes generally uses fine non-absorbable sutures since this decreases scar hypertrophy and sensitivity. Your wrist and forearm will be wrapped in a bandage. It is important to keep this dry and mobilize your fingers and thumb in the first week following the operation. A wound check should be done by your GP or at the hospital Wound Care Clinic around day 5, while the sutures should be removed day 10-12 following the procedure.
  
• Pain is managed with simple oral analgesia such as Panadol. You will receive education regarding this prior to your discharge.
  
• A follow up appointment with Mr Gomes will be made prior to or at the time of your surgery. If you are unsure of your follow up appointment time, please contact Mr Gomes’ rooms.
  
• You are encouraged to keep the hand elevated at night on a pillow for the first week to decrease swelling. Follow up with a local hand therapist will be recommended after the first week.
  
• Most patients can drive after 2 weeks, however the main factor affecting this is scar sensitivity.
  
• Returning to work must be discussed by Mr Gomes. This will depend on your job role and its dependence on the hand affected.