Yes, a GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar. That applies to every procedure, cosmetic or reconstructive, and it is not optional.
Some practices tell patients a referral is only needed for a Medicare rebate. That is not the position here.
Why it is required
- Your GP knows your history. Medications, conditions, previous surgery and mental health context all matter to a surgical assessment, and the referral is how that reaches the surgeon.
- It is part of the safeguards. A referral means a second doctor has considered whether a surgical opinion is appropriate for you, rather than the decision resting on an advertisement and a phone call.
- It is required for any Medicare benefit. Without a valid referral, no rebate can be claimed on the consultation or the procedure.
- It starts the documentation. For body contouring after weight loss, the GP record of symptoms is what the Medicare criteria turn on.
What to ask your GP to include
- Your weight history, including how much you have lost and how long it has been stable
- Any rash or skin breakdown in a fold, and what has been tried for it
- How the problem interferes with daily activities — hygiene, clothing, walking, exercise, work
- Relevant conditions and your current medications, including any weight-loss medication
- Previous surgery, including bariatric surgery, with dates
This is not administrative. Item 30177 requires intertrigo that has failed three months of conventional treatment and interference with activities of daily living, both documented. A referral that records those is worth a great deal more than one that says “please see and advise”. The Medicare criteria.
How long a referral lasts
| From | Valid for |
|---|---|
| A GP | 12 months from the first consultation, unless marked otherwise |
| Another specialist | 3 months |
| Indefinite | Where your GP marks it so for an ongoing condition |
If your referral has expired by the time you come back for a second appointment or for surgery, you will need a new one. Dr Kumar’s reception will tell you if that applies.
If you do not have a regular GP
It is worth having one for this. A surgeon relies on a GP for the pre-operative work, for managing anything that comes up afterwards, and for the documentation that supports a Medicare claim. A referral obtained from a doctor who has never met you serves none of those purposes well.
Common questions
Can I book a consultation before I have the referral? Reception can discuss timing, but bring the referral to the appointment.
Does a referral mean I will get a rebate? No. It is necessary but not sufficient — the item criteria still have to be met.
Can my bariatric surgeon refer me? A specialist referral is valid for three months. A GP referral lasts longer and usually carries more of the history.
What if I am travelling from regional NSW? Get the referral locally before you travel. Regional patients.
What happens at the appointment? Examination, photographs, measurements, a plan and an itemised quote. Your first visit.
Next step
Book with your GP, take this list with you, and ask for the referral addressed to Dr Rohit Kumar. He consults at Westmead, Penrith and Orange. Call 1300 267 726, or send photos first if you are a long way away.
The initial consultation with Dr Kumar is $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 where you have a GP referral. Surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation, in a written itemised quote.
All surgery carries risks, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
