FAQ

Osteopathy

Most Private Health Funds include Osteopathy as part of their suite of Ancillary Options.
We recommend that you check with your Health Fund that your level of cover includes Osteo if you wish to be sure you will get a rebate. New policy types are now a lot more flexible than in past years and often enough if you call your Fund they will be able to ‘switch out’ another service and activate Osteo in it’s place, it is worth a call!
There are no preferred providers in Osteopathy, all registered Osteos will get the same rebate for the same code at the time of claim.
We have HICAPS at our clinics so you can claim any rebate applicable (you will need your card) and pay the remaining gap. If you do not have your card, no problem, we can provide you with an receipt of payment which you can use to claim with your fund after the consultation, usually online.
We will require you to pay the full consultation fee at the time of consultation though. We accept Credit Cards, EFTPOS and cash.

I have a GP referral under the Medicare CDM / EPC scheme, can I make an appointment at Active Osteopathy?

We accept New Patients under the Medicare CDM scheme. Please ask your GP clinic to refer to the clinic (Como = Active Osteopathy and Podiatry or Hillarys = Northern Osteopathy and Podiatry), not to a single individual practitioner.This will allow us to match you with the best member of our team to meet your needs as per the care plan.

Fees:

Our fees vary slightly according to which practitioner you consult:

Dr Joel Bell – Osteopath and Sports Podiatrist:

PLEASE NOTE: Joel’s Initial and Standard consultations are billed as either Osteopathy or Podiatry consultation (not both). You will be able to claim rebates with your health fund for modalities, if you have cover.
New Patient / Initial Consultation: $145 – 30mins
Standard Consultation: $125 – 30mins

Dr Sweatal Shah (Osteopath):

- Paediatric New Patient / Initial Consultation: $135 – 20-30min, Standard Consultation: $115 – 20-30mins
- Adult New Patient / Initial Consultation: $135 – 30min, Standard Consultation: $110 – 30mins

Dr Nick Stuhldreier (Osteopath), Dr Emily Nelson (Osteopath) or Dr Jessica Cordina (Osteopath):

- New Patient / Initial Consultation: $130 – 45min
- Standard Consultation: $105 – 30mins

Our fees are for 1-on-1 consultation and include (except in insurance cases where additional fees are likely to be applied for associated non-clinical tasks) any associated correspondence, letter writing, phone conversations or follow-up with radiology tests that may be associated with the patient’s visit.

I’ve never seen and Osteopath before, what can I expect?

Your Osteopath will ask about your problem and symptoms. This will include your medical history, any medications you are taking or other factors that may not appear to be directly related to your problem.

Your Osteopath will advise you if they can treat you or you need to be referred for further investigation. Your health and safety is always the foremost concern.

The examination and clinical tests include diagnostic, orthopaedic and neurological tests as well as movement and postural assessments all with the aim of clear diagnosis and to provide a framework for a treatment plan specific to you and your presentation. You will be informed and included in the discussion at all times.

Following the assessment and determination of your treatment plan a comprehensive treatment will be completed as part of your first consultation (it is not only an assessment visit).

It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing whether that be loose clothing or ‘active wear’ as your Osteopath will usually need to move/stretch/access the area to be treated. Jeans and skirts/dresses do not tend to work that well!

As appropriate you may be asked to remove some layers of clothing so your Osteopath can palpate and directly access the area to be tested or treated. We want you to feel comfortable during your visit so make sure you let your Osteopath know if you are feeling uncomfortable at any point.

Cancellation Policy:

We run an active Waiting List on most days with patients keen to get an earlier appointment if it is available. If you are unable to attend your appointment as scheduled we expect at least 2 hours notice and will not invoice you for a missed appointment if given this time to fill the spot you vacate. We think this is fair. In cases of notice of cancellation under 2 hours we will usually be lenient if you rebook but reserve the right to invoice you as a late cancellation. Cases of no shows for scheduled appointment will be invoiced as missed appointment, respecting the time put aside by your clinician, lost income for the clinic and lost opportunity to book someone in from the wait list. The amount of the invoice will be $60 please use the “Cancel” link on your confirmation email from your appointment which will cancel the existing appointment and take you to the Online Booking page to enable you to reschedule if you wish…it’s easy!

Cancelling an appointment online:

Please use the “Cancel” link on your confirmation email from your appointment which will cancel the existing appointment and take you to the Online Booking page to enable you to reschedule if you wish…it’s easy!

Sports Podiatry

Joel Bell is the only dual qualified Osteopath and Podiatrist in WA, if not Australia. Consulting Joel as a Sports Podiatrist will mean that you always enjoy the benefit of being assessed and advised from the professional scope of 2 modalities.

Fees

PLEASE NOTE: Joel’s Initial and Standard consultations are always a combined Osteopathy and MSK/Sports Podiatry consultation. You will be able to claim rebates with your health fund for both modalities, if you have cover. If you do not wish for the appointment to be a combined appointment and Osteopathy only please book with one of our other excellent Osteopaths.
New Patient / Initial Consultation (code F004): $145 – 30mins
Standard Consultation (code F012): $125 – 30mins
Biomechanical Assessments and 3D Digital Foot Scan (codes F118+F303+F303, except HBF: codes: F111, F114, F117): $160 – 30mins

Orthotics:

Variable options ranging from non-adjusted OTC devices to full Custom Orthotics. If you are advised that Orthotic Therapy is an option for you, the best versions will be discussed at the time of the Biomechanical Assessment and you will be provided with quote to take to your Health Fund. There is usually a cost associated with Foot Orthotics and we want to be as transparent as possible so you can make an informed decision based on both clinical advice and cost to you

Referrals. Do I need a GP or other referral to make an Podiatry appointment?

No, Podiatrists are considered primary health care practitioners and you can make an appointment as a private patient without referral.

I have a GP referral under the Medicare CDM / EPC scheme, can I make an appointment?

We accept referral under the Medicare CDM scheme, however, please know that the service is NOT BULK Billed and you will need to pay a gap (the difference between the Medicare rebate of $56 and the usual fee outlined above).

Heath Funds and HICAPS, Payments:

Most Private Health Funds include Podiatry as part of their suite of Ancillary Options.
We recommend that you check with your Health Fund that your level of cover includes Podiatry if you wish to be sure you will get a rebate. New policy types are now a lot more flexible than in past years and often enough if you call your Fund they will be able to ‘switch out’ another service and activate Podiatry in it’s place, it is worth a call!
There are no preferred providers in Podiatry, all registered Pods will get the same rebate for the same code at the time of claim.
We have HICAPS at our clinics so you can claim any rebate applicable (you will need your card) and pay the remaining gap. If you do not have your card, no problem, we can provide you with an receipt of payment which you can use to claim with your fund after the consultation, usually online.
We will require you to pay the full consultation fee at the time of consultation though. We accept Credit Cards, EFTPOS and cash.

WorkCover / Insurance Claims:

We accept referrals for WorkCover or MVA/3rd Party insurance claims under referral from your GP/Medical Specialist.
You must have a claim number from your insurer which you can provide to us together with contact details of your claims officer/insurer at the time of making your booking.
You can choose to see an Podiatry as part of your treatment, however, many insurers (and most particularly ICWA) insist that you cannot consult 2 Allied Health options simultaneously without prior written permission. For example if you are currently seeing a physio for your treatment you will either need to provide written intent to cease that treatment to be replaced by Pod treatment as your preferred Allied Health choice or request permission to continue the physio treatment and consult an Osteo in addition.
The decision to bill the patient or direct bill the insurer is at our discretion and is usually decided on a case by case basis according to several factors. The patient is responsible at all times for any fees either at the time of consultation or if the insurer declines to pay the bill.