How to Get a Medical Referral

Getting a Medical Referral from your GP for a consultation with Dr Kernohan

Note: From the 1st of July 2023, all patients will require a Medical Referral preferably from your GP to see a plastic surgeon for a consultation for cosmetic surgery.

A Medical Referral from a GP is valid for 12 months and a referral from a specialist is valid for 3 months. 

If your surgery is eligible for a Medicare item number you will also need a valid medical referral to access the Medicare rebate and maybe a private health fund subsidy.

Please email your medical referral to [email protected]  

Do I Need a Referral Dr Kernohan Sydney

Do I need a medical referral to claim Medicare and Insurance?

Note: From the 1st of July 2023, all patients will require a Medical Referral preferably from your GP to see a plastic surgeon for a consultation for cosmetic surgery.

Depending on your level of Private Hospital Insurance coverage, you may be able to get assistance from your Insurer to subsidise your hospital fee but only if you are eligible for a Medicare item number and have a valid medical referral.

Here is an article on the rules about what is a valid medical referral to a Specialist.

Dr Michael Kernohan offers a range of breast, body, face and nose surgery – both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive. He also performs Hand and Skin surgery including skin cancer surgery. You will need a medical referral if you plan to have Cosmetic Surgery.

Benefits of getting a Medical Referral

  • Keeps all your medical records in one place (with your GP)
  • Needed for eligibility for a Medicare Rebate and possible Private Health Insurance subsidy for your medically necessary surgery.
  • You can get a Medicare rebate for part of your consultation fee if you have a medical referral for medically necessary surgery.  (Not cosmetic surgery like breast augmentation.)
  • Informs your surgeon about your medical history
  • Enables your surgeon to keep your GP updated on your treatment
Medical Referral Dr Kernohan Sydney

Information for a Medical Referral to a Specialist Plastic Surgeon

The following 20 items would be very helpful in your medical referral to a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.

Patient Demographic Information:

  1. Full name
  2. Date of birth
  3. Next of kin
  4. Postal address
  5. Contact number(s)
  6. Email address
  7. Medicare number
  8. Referring GP details including provider number
  9. Usual GP (if different)
  10. Interpreter requirements (if req)

Patient Clinical Information:

  1. Reason for referral to a specialist
  2. Duration of symptoms
  3. Management to date and response to treatment
  4. Past medical history
  5. Current medications and medication history if relevant
  6. Functional status and capability
  7. Psychosocial history and any Mental Health issues
  8. Dietary status
  9. Family history
  10. Diagnostic tests completed and any results.
Where You Can Get A Referral Dr Kernohan Sydney

Where you can get a Medical Referral?

Referring GPs and Medical Clinics

Referring Dermatologists      

Referring Specialists