Your doctor will be able to recommend and refer you to an ear, nose and throat surgeon who can perform the procedure.
You may be happy to accept the advice of your doctor, or you may like to investigate your choices.
In Australia, each medical speciality has a governing body to which doctors belong. These are credible organisations to turn to for information about what you can expect from your medical specialist, and how to locate one in your area. You can locate an ear, nose and throat surgeon through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons or the Australian Society of Head and Neck Surgeons.
Questions for your surgeon may help you understand the treatment, and, if necessary, decide on a surgeon. Practical issues you may also like to consider are which hospital(s) a particular doctor operates from, and their fees.
To find out which ear, nose and throat specialists participate in our Medicover No Gap or Known Gap* arrangement:
- Call us on 13 13 34
- Visit an HCF branch
- Search for a participating provider online
Can you use your referral on any specialist?
Your referral can be transferred to any specialist you choose, as long as they’re in the same medical field. Alternatively, you can ask your GP to write an ‘open referral’ where they don’t specify a particular specialist. A valid referral needs to include:
- relevant clinical information about your condition for investigation, opinion, treatment and/or management
- date of the referral
- signature of your referring doctor.
*Participation in HCF’s medical gap initiative is at the doctor’s discretion. We can’t guarantee these doctors will participate in our gap arrangements for all members or services. Where you will incur any out-of-pocket costs the doctor(s) should advise you of these costs and obtain your Informed Financial Consent so you can make an informed decision before going ahead with the procedure. Members are encouraged to confirm with their doctor(s) whether they will use HCF’s medical gap initiatives for their treatment.