Frequently Asked Questions…
You do not need a referral from a GP to make an appointment. If you have a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan with your GP, you will need to bring this into your appointment and you will be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $53.80.
Individual Sessions
- 50-minute initial dietary assessment: $140
- 50-minute dietary review: $140
- 30-minute dietary review: $80
Modes of engagement
Face-to-face appointments: although Jessica can see clients in person, her preferred method of engagement at present is via Telehealth. This is due to COVID-19, and Jessica is seeking to follow Victorian Government recommendations to work from home where possible.
Telehealth appointments: Telehealth (video-conference or phone call) appointments will be available on an ongoing basis due to COVID-19. In addition, Jessica will continue to offer Telehealth services for people based in regional and rural areas.
Chronic Disease Management Plan: Please consult your GP about your eligibility for a Chronic Disease Management Plan. The CDMP entitles you to a maximum of five (5) dietetic sessions with a rebate of $53.80 per session. Please arrange an extended consultation with your GP to organise the CDMP. If you require further information about the Medicare Rebate, please consult your GP or go to the following website: http://www.health.gov.au/.
Eating Disorder Plan: From the 1st November 2019, Medicare is providing Eating Disorder Plans for some people with eating disorders. This will enable individuals to access evidence-based and best-practice treatment. In particular, the plan will provide up to 20 dietetic sessions with a Medicare rebate. For more information, please see the EDV website https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/find-support/eating-disorder-medicare-changes/
Private Health: You will be able to claim with your private health under the ‘extra’s cover’. Please consult your provider to discuss whether your policy includes a rebate for dietitians, and how much your rebate is.
Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to attend an appointment at the last minute, this has an impact on both the practitioner’s time and other patients’ appointments. You will therefore need to provide Jessica with 24 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel an appointment. Last minute cancellations will incur a cancellation fee of $50 for a review appointment and $85 for an initial appointment. Jessica understands that sometimes there are unforeseeable and unfortunate circumstances that may prevent you from attending an appointment; under these circumstances the cancellation fee will be waived.
What is Telehealth?
Due to COVID-19, Telehealth and phone appointments are now available. Jessica uses Zoom which is a secure video conferencing platform for her Telehealth appointments. You will be sent the link prior to the session. All you need to do is use your computer or phone and click on the link for the session to begin. It is important that you have a quiet and private place set up, so that you can get the most out of your dietetic session. If for some reason there are technical difficulties, Jessica will use Zoom as a back up option or switch to a phone conversation. Telehealth and phone session are also available on an ongoing basis for people in regional settings.
What is involved in a dietary assessment?
A dietary assessment provides you with an opportunity to tell Jessica about the nutritional issues you are grappling with. Together you will look at your nutritional issues in depth and from a holistic perspective.
The initial dietary assessment is also an opportunity for you and Jessica to establish a helpful working relationship. Jessica might recommend further medical assessments with your GP, or suggest some initial steps you can take towards your health goals. With your consent she will also communicate a summary of the session and nutritional plan with your treatment team.
What is the purpose of ongoing dietary reviews?
Dietary reviews provide opportunities for you and Jessica to continue working on your therapeutic relationship, understanding your nutritional concerns, identifying any ambivalence, and evoking motivation for change. In addition, we will begin to develop a nutritional treatment plan. In doing so, Jessica will collaborate with your treatment team.
Behavioural change takes time. You will therefore need support to ensure that the changes you are making are sustainable. In each review session you will revisit your motivation for change, and discuss a relevant nutritional topic. Jessica will also provide you with strategies to implement this new information. In addition, you will review changes you are working on, discuss what’s working well, and talk about any barriers that are making change difficult.
Some of the ways Jessica may be able to help you achieve your health goals include: nutrition education; meal planning; identifying ambivalence to change; identifying values and encouraging motivation for change; identifying and challenging dieting mindsets; developing intuitive and mindful eating skills; improving your relationship with food and your body; reconnecting with your body’s hunger and fullness signals; strategies to reduce unhealthy eating patterns (bingeing, restricting, purging, mindless eating); and more.
What sort of parking is available?
There is parking available on-site at the clinic. However, if the car park is full, please park in the car park near the oval at Templestowe Reserve (just on the other side of Hawtin Street).