Appointment Information

Please note that we do not see patients below the age of 14 years.

We receive many referrals and one of the reasons for relocating is to enable us to reduce the wait times for a clinic appointment. Meanwhile we reserve slots for urgent appointments, so when you send in your referral we will assess it and prioritise accordingly. We also keep a cancellation list so if you can come in at short notice you may be offered an earlier appointment.

Wait Times for an Appointment

Over the past 3 years, like many specialist practices, Melbourne Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic has seen a huge increase in referrals. This has meant that our waiting times for non-urgent appointments have increased. All referrals are triaged by a specialist doctor, and appointments triaged as “urgent” are seen within the recommended time-frames. We are grateful for your patience as we work through our current waiting appointments, and we continue to support and recruit new specialists so we can continue to provide the high level of clinical services MAAIC prides itself upon.

Telehealth Consultations

We are currently offering all patients the option for Telehealth consultations with our doctors. NEW PATIENTS ARE WELCOME. You will need a referral from your GP and a Medicare card. This means you can safely video call from the comfort of your home. If you would prefer your appointment to be a Telehealth consultation please let our reception staff know.

Please click here for more information.

Level 1, Suite 123
Chelsea House
55 Flemington Road
North Melbourne VIC 3051

Two days (48 hours) before your appointment please stop taking oral antihistamines (Hayfever or Allergy tablets) such as:

• Fexofenadine (eg. Telfast)
  
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  
• Loratidine (Claratyne)
  
• Desloratidine (Aerius)
  
• Promethazine (Phenergan)
  
• Dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine)
  
• Cyproheptadine (Periactin)

These can interfere with skin prick testing, if it is required. If you find your symptoms get dramatically worse on stopping antihistamine tablets, then go back onto them and we can use blood tests rather than skin tests to investigate for any allergies. You are encouraged to ring ahead to clarify if necessary. You may continue to use any nasal spray; please do not stop your other usual medications.

Some other medications can interfere with allergy prick tests, especially some sorts of antidepressants. Since it's not generally a good idea to stop these, blood tests will likely be used to further investigate allergies in this instance.

DO NOT STOP ANY ASTHMA PUFFERS OR MEDICATIONS.

Do not stop corticosteroid medication or blood pressure medications as these do not interfere with allergy skin testing.

For more information visit ASCIA Allergy Testing  

While government recommendations relating to COVID-19 have eased, this clinic sees patients who may be severely immunocompromised and at higher risk of severe symptoms if they contract COVID-19.

The following policies are in place to keep all patients and staff as safe as possible:

• Fitted face masks must be worn in the clinic unless a valid medical exemption applies.
  
• Patients must not attend the clinic in person if they have had a positive COVID-19 result in the past 7 days or are a close contact of a positive case.
  
• Travellers returning from overseas must have had a negative RAT before attending the clinic.
  
• Where possible we ask that only the patient attend the appointment.
  
• If you have any new onset symptoms that may be COVID including SOB, cough, sore throat, fevers or chills or loss of sense of smell or taste we ask that your appointment be conducted remotely via Telehealth. If physical testing is required, it can be organised at a review appointment when you are well.
  
• If you feel that your appointment would be better conducted as a Telehealth appointment please contact the clinic on 03 9328 4573 and you will be sent the information for a video consult.
  
  

On the day of your appointment, please bring with you:

• Referral Letter
  
• Medicare Card
  
• Medications or a current list, including supplements and alternative remedies, as well as previous medications used
  
• Any products/packaging that you suspect may be relevant
  
• Information, questions or a diary of symptoms as needed
  
• Photos if relevant (on the camera or phone will be fine)
  
• Results of any previous test including scans, x-rays, breathing tests or blood tests.

A routine appointment is 30 to 45 minutes.

Allergy skin tests take about 20 minutes and lung function testing about 20 minutes.

Payment is required on the day of appointment. The exact fee will vary according to what the consultation includes (eg. Skin prick testing). Please discuss the fees that may be relevant for your consultation by telephone at the time of making a booking. A referral from a medical practitioner is required in order for you to claim a Medicare rebate as well as to form the basis of ongoing clinical communication.

This is a private medical practice and therefore Bulk Billing is generally not available.

We understand that sometimes cancellations are necessary and we would appreciate notice so that the appointment can be made available to others. However, cancelled doctor or dietitian appointments, when less than 24 hours notice is given, will incur a $50 cancellation fee.

Fees are payable immediately following the consultation. We accept cash, EFTPOS and Visa/Mastercard. We will be able to process your Medicare rebate claim online. This means that your claim will be automatically paid within a few days if Medicare has your bank account details.

If you would prefer your appointment to be conducted remotely you will be contacted immediately following your consultation to make payment via credit/debit card over the phone.

Where needed pathology requests, prescriptions and information will be emailed or mailed to you after your consultation.

Fees effective 1 April 2024. The highest possible cost for initial consultation is $820 with an out of pocket element of $477.15

*An extended review consultation (45 minutes) may be required in some circumstances e.g. if you have complex needs or multiple medical issues. The longer duration provides more time for you to discuss your concerns, ask questions and receive the advice and education to best manage your healthcare.

If an extended consultation is required the dietitian will discuss this with you.

Referrals

A referral from your medical specialist or GP is preferred although not essential. Referrals can provide useful information about your medical history and current management.

Private Health Insurance Claims

You may be eligible for a private health insurance rebate if your policy includes “extras” cover. The rebate can vary depending on your level of cover and the health fund. We advise you check with your health fund about any dietitian services rebates prior to your appointment.

Medicare Claims

You may be able to claim a medicare rebate if your GP has provided you with a Chronic Disease Management Plan that includes Dietetics. Talk to your GP about making a referral. You must bring with you a completed Medicare CDM form from your GP at the time of your appointment. This entitles you to a rebate of approximately $58 per session, which you can claim back via Medicare after your appointment.

NOTE: Fees are payable immediately following your consult. You will not be able to combine private health insurance claims and the Medicare Chronic Disease Management rebate fee.