There’s no limit to the questions you can ask.
There’s no limit to the questions you can ask.
As a part of our Exclusive Program, we genuinely aim to establish a connection with you, understand your journey, and serve as your enthusiastic supporter in the path you choose to take. Our team desires to stand by you as the pivotal moments unfold and you achieve each milestone. We prioritise partnership, making your objectives our objectives. Working collaboratively to find solutions and transform your goals into reality is our focus. You are not just a number; you are our priority. Additionally, we provide individual assessments and reviews for those who are not undergoing bariatric surgery or the Allurion Balloon procedure. We are here to support everyone, ensuring comprehensive care for all, no matter what is being sought to improve health. Find out about our Complete Clinical Care Program.
Day of Surgery
Preparation for Surgery
Depending on your BMI, we prescribe the right modified preparation for you.
Some examples are as follows:-
It is important to follow our instructions so that there is no delay or cancellation of your surgery. Remember to check with the team how long your prescribed pre op dietary requirements you must complete.
In general, blood pressure (heart) medications, anti-reflux medications, anti-seizure medications and paracetamol containing pain medications (no aspirin or NSAIDs) should be taken the morning of surgery with a sip of water.
DISCONTINUE on day of surgery
DISCONTINUE 2 days before surgery
STOP 7 days before surgery
STOP 14 days before surgery
DO NOT RESUME until 7 days after surgery
DO NOT RESUME until 3 months after surgery with medical practitioners supervision
Insulin – may be given in a reduced dose. Discuss with the Anaesthetist.
After bariatric surgery, we prescribe dietary guideline that is appropriate to your recovery.
The texture and consistency will change and usually follow the guideline below:-
Details of our Exclusive Program are below to provide our patients the understanding of the terms and objectives of our engagement and the nature and limitations of the services Weight & Metabolic Solutions Australia (WMSA) will provide.
Purpose, Scope and Output of the Engagement
WMSA will provide professional services as requested by you and recommended by our surgeon.
Period of Engagement
This engagement starts on proposal commencement date and is valid for 6 or 12 months following your surgical or non surgical procedure. We will not deal with earlier periods unless you specifically ask us to do so and we agree. To confirm engagement, we require a non-refundable deposit of your WMSA fee.
Why do we offer a fixed fee agreement for ongoing services?
The standard method of billing in professional services has traditionally had an emphasis on providing services in exchange for an hourly or per consultation review rate. Weight & Metabolic Solutions Australia has come to the realisation that this method is an archaic method of pricing. It is also a conflict of interest because what it means is (as an industry) we are directly rewarded for how inefficient we are. The longer we take to do the job the more we get. Hourly billing or limited review consultations does not promote an emphasis on patient service or an incentive for our patients to reach out when they need us most.
The biggest issue with hourly billing or limited consultation visits is that you have no idea how much you are financing from week to week or month to month. We don’t think that is fair on you. As a courtesy to you, we think you deserve to know in advance how much the everything will cost and what it entails. As a modern & progressive practice we have moved all of our engagements to a fixed price agreement model. What does this mean for you?
Medicare and Private Fund Billing for Services with an Undefined Scope
While WMSA will always provide a fixed program agreement out of pocket, particularly within the twelve months following surgery or procedure, we or our agents will also bill the appropriate item numbers to your private health fund or medicare based on our attendances. We find it reasonable to ensure that we are able to continue to provide a fixed program agreement to all our patients. These will be apparent on your private health fund or medicare statement that is directly accessible by you. For patients who attend their initial consultation without a referral, the ongoing review for the 12 months of your program by your Surgeon will not proceed until a referral is obtained following six weeks after your procedure is performed. A GP referral is valid for 12 month period in most circumstances. We do accept indefinite referrals if your GP would kindly provide you one.
Unanticipated Services
While your fixed program agreement entitles you to unlimited communication, if your question or issue requires additional research and analysis beyond the services agreed in this contract, any additional work will be quoted to you before the commencement of said additional work. Once the scope of the additional work is agreed upon, we will issue a Change of Service Request via our online proposal system, and will ask you to sign the new agreement before we commence the new work.
Furthermore, our patient will agree that if an unanticipated need arises (although rare, complications that may lead to further procedures and prolonged inpatient stay), this additional attendance will incur further fees by either the hospital, anaesthetists, other specialist providers and may extend to additional pathology or radiology expenses. Any of these Unanticipated expenses will be your responsibility and may not be fully covered by your private health fund or medicare.
The estimate is for Program Fee and Surgeons Fees Only for the procedure named in this document. It does NOT include fees charged by the Private Hospital, the Anaesthetist or assistant surgeon, and meal replacements. At times the Assistant Surgeon may request Practice name to bill for them, and in this event, we will make an additional Assistant Surgeon item on your invoice.
If you are self-funded and having a surgical procedure, the Private Hospital will generate an itemised estimate of fees prior to your surgery and this will be emailed to you directly. If you have private health insurance, it is your responsibility to contact your health fund to ensure that you have top hospital cover for this procedure and have served all applicable waiting periods. If your fund informs you that you are not covered, please contact us to discuss your options.
Service Guarantee
WMSA will always stand behind the quality and professional nature of the services that we offer. If at any point you are not completely satisfied with the services we have performed, we encourage you to bring this to our attention immediately. We’d love the opportunity to correctly address your concerns and allow us a chance to win your trust back and prevent similar problems from happening in the future.
Ownership of Documents
All original documents obtained from the patient arising from the engagement shall remain the property of the patient. However, we reserve the right to make a reasonable number of copies of the original documents for our records.
Patient Responsibilities
In conducting this engagement, information acquired by us in the course of the engagement is subject to strict confidentiality requirements. That information will not be disclosed by us to other parties except as required or allowed for by law, or with your express written consent.
The patient is responsible for the reliability, accuracy and completeness of the medical records, particulars and information provided and disclosure of all material and relevant information. Patients are required to arrange for reasonable access by us to relevant individuals and documents, and shall be responsible for both the completeness and accuracy of the information supplied to us. Any advice given to the patient is only an opinion based on our knowledge of the patient’s particular circumstances.
In summary, the patient must:-
Patient Privacy
In accordance with the Privacy Act (1988) all information collected in this practice is treated as ‘sensitive information’. To protect your privacy, this practice operates in accordance with the act. We use the information that you provide to manage your health care.
You can assist in maintaining the accuracy of your information by advising the practice of changes of address, phone number etc. The information we gather is treated in a confidential manner and is only seen by those who need to see the information to support you for your treatment. The information is retained in order to document what happens during sessions, and enables the treating practitioner to provide a relevant and informed psychological and psychiatry service. You are able to ask for your information and ask to review what is on file unless there is relevant legislation that indicates otherwise. Your treating practitioner will discuss the appropriate way to access your information. Selected information may be disclosed or obtained with various other health services involved in supporting your health care management (e.g. Pathology, Radiology, Hospitals or other doctors and specialists). If you have any questions regarding the management of your personal health information or need to arrange to access your records, please ask the staff or your doctor, as appropriate. Psychological and Psychiatry Service As part of providing a psychological and psychiatry service to you, Practice name needs to collect and record personal information from you that is relevant to your situation, such as your name, contact information, medical history and other relevant information as part of providing psychological and psychiatry services to you.
This collection of personal information will be a necessary part of the psychological and psychiatry assessment and treatment that is conducted.
Patient Confidentiality
Please be assured that all information provided in the process of consultation is strictly confidential. Only the assigned practitioner can access your session notes and our administration staff see information to support you with bookings. Other than the special circumstances outlined below, no information may be released to others outside of our practice without the written consent from you or your guardian. We consider your privacy of utmost importance.
These special circumstances include the following:
1. Where a court orders the release of client information for legal purposes.
2. Failing to disclose the information would place you or another person in serious or imminent risk.
3. Where the treating practitioners is seeking peer support from other practitioners or seeking supervision from a senior psychologist to provide you with the best service.
4. Your prior approval has been obtained to provide a written report other agency (eg: GP, Lawyer) or discuss the material with another person eg: parent, employer, teacher.
5. If the disclosure is required by law. Please note that if you have been referred by a medical professional on a Government funded intervention (such as a Mental Health Plan) then it is usual practice to provide written reports. The reports provide limited information about your progress with the authorised treatment. Please note that you have the right to refuse this consent. However, in certain situations, your refusal may mean that you will not be able to proceed with services at the clinic, especially if they are funded through a collaborative government scheme that requires reporting.
Confirmation of Terms – Informed Financial Consent
We will ask you to sign that you have been advised of the above cost estimates and financial interests in respect of my proposed treatment and you understand that these are your responsibility. You acknowledge that this cost estimate may vary as a result of variations in the treatment provided and remains valid for a period of three (3) months. You understand that prices are subject to change without notice. To secure surgery at the current pricing, you understand that you will need to undergo surgery or procedure within the next three (3) months after signing your financial consent form. Once a date has been set for your procedure, you will be required to advise WMSA of any changes in your circumstances and need to provide a minimum of two weeks’ notice if you intend to cancel or postpone this surgical procedure.
REFUND POLICY:
