Medical Referral

How to get a Medical Referral from a GP or a Specialist to one of our Plastic Surgeons at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery

A Referral from your General Practitioner (GP) or your Medical Specialist is required (as of 1st July 2023) if you wish to see one of our Plastic Surgeons. A Referral from a General Practitioner is valid for 12 months whereas a Referral from a Specialist is valid for 3 months.

Please FAX your referral letter to (03) 9429 8456 or via email to reception@cocoruby.com.au

If the procedure you are having has a Medicare Item Number and is not purely cosmetic surgery you may be eligible to claim through Medicare and your Private Health Insurer.

Below are the RULES about what is a Valid Medical Referral to a Specialist.

Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery offers a range of Breast, Body, Face and Nose surgery, as well as, Gender SRS Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. Our main clinic is located in Hawthorn in Melbourne, Australia.

Surgeons at Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery

About our Melbourne Surgeons

• Dr Craig Rubinstein – Breast and stomach Surgery for Women in Melbourne
• Dr Patrick Briggs – Breast, Body, Face & Gender Surgery in Melbourne
• Mr Gary Kode – Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne
• Dr Stephen Kleid – Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Surgeon in Melbourne
• Dr Broughton Snell – Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Melbourne

We currently do not offer Skin Cancer Surgery, Post Cancer Reconstruction, Hand Surgery or Trauma Surgery – however, we can help you find another reliable surgeon to refer to.

Doctors and Medical Practices that can provide you with a Medical Referral for Plastic Surgery

Please make an appointment with your GP (General Practitioner) or a Medical Professional and ask for a referral to either Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery – or a specific surgeon.

Benefits of getting a Medical Referral

• Keeps all your medical records in one place (Your GP)
• Informs your surgeon about your medical history
• It also enables your surgeon to keep your GP (General Practitioner) updated
• You need a referral in order to be eligible to claim for a Medicare Rebate and Private Health Insurance subsidy (if the procedure carries a Medicare item number and is medically necessary)

Information for a Medical Referral to a Specialist Plastic Surgeon or Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Surgeon

Helpful Information in a Patient Referral for Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

The following items would be helpful in your medical referral to a specialist plastic or ENT Surgeon.

Patient Demographic Information:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Next of kin
• Postal address
• Contact number(s)
• Email address
• Medicare number
• Referring GP details including provider number
• Usual GP (if different)
• Interpreter requirements (if required)

Patient Clinical Information

• Reason for referral to a specialist
• Duration of symptoms
• Management to date and response to treatment
• Past medical history
• Current medications and medication history if relevant
• Functional status and capability
• Both Psychological history and any Mental Health issues
• Dietary status
• Family history
• Allergies
• Diagnostic tests completed and any results

NOTE – A referral from a General Practitioner is valid for 12 months whereas a Referral from a Specialist is valid for 3 months. It is also vital that your referral is valid at the time of surgery.

Useful Medicare Criteria Information for Patients getting a Referral

• Read the Blog on “will medicare cover my surgery?”
• Medicare Item Numbers, Criteria and Guidelines for Plastic Surgery 

Download ALL the Plastic Surgery Procedure Guides & Patient Journey Guides

You can access all our guides and checklists online or we are happy to send out printed copies of these guides to Victorian Medical Clinics.