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2012 ‘Medicare Dental Scheme’ Update

Wed, 04/01/2012 - 3:02pm — admin

Dentist Teeth

2012 ‘Medicare Dental Scheme’ Update

The Medicare Chronic Disease Dental Scheme, sometimes called the Medicare Dental Scheme, continues to operate. Whilst the Government has restated its intention to close the Scheme, it continues to operate for new and existing clients who are living with chronic conditions, such as HIV.

In the meantime, ACON encourages all eligible patients to make use of the scheme while it is still operational.
You may have been sent a letter by Medicare; the questionnaire is voluntary, and you are not required to fill out or return the forms.

NB: Never consent to a full oral clearance (having all your teeth removed) without getting a second opinion from a dentist who works with people living with HIV.

	ACTION	Additional information
STEP 1	Make an appointment to see your GP. You might need a double appointment so check with your doctor or their reception staff. Ask your doctor if you are eligible for the Scheme (most people living with HIV are).	All people living with HIV are entitled to be referred to the scheme. It is not necessary to be enrolled in a Care Plan that involves other health care professionals. You can be referred for dental care plan alone.
STEP 2	Ask your GP to send your referral documentation to Medicare ASAP.	You cannot start dental treatment through the Scheme until your referral has been processed by Medicare.
STEP 3	Call Medicare on 132 011 to check that your application has been processed. You will need to quote your Medicare number.	Once Medicare has processed your documentation you can start treatment under the scheme.
STEP 4	Make an appointment with a Dentist who is registered with the Scheme that your GP has referred you to.	You can request to see a dentist of your choice, as long as they are registered with the Scheme.
STEP 5	See your Dentist as soon as possible, and don’t forget to ask for a quote as soon when the dentist has completed their assessment. A quote should include costs for all planned treatment (X-Rays, history, examination and/or cleaning).	Take a copy of your care plan and referral to your first dental appointment. Your dental clinic may wish to see your referral before making an appointment. If your dentist does not bulk-bill, and charges more than the Medicare rebate, you may have to pay up front.
STEP 6	Remind your dentist to provide you and your referring doctor with a written treatment plan and a written quote before your treatment commences.	This is a requirement of the Scheme. If you do not have a quote you and your dentist may have to pay back Medicare for any treatment that you have had done.
STEP 7	You may need to have some work done at your first appointment (eg urgent fillings), always check the cost of any treatment recommended as some procedures are expensive and may not be covered by this program.
STEP 8	SMILE with confidence	You have taken care of one of the most important health issues for people living with HIV.

We have been advised that the following dentists are both gay and HIV friendly, and also participate in the Medicare Dental (EPC) Scheme, and that those listed in the left hand column will bulk bill. This list is accurate at the time of printing, and is not presented in any particular order. If you know of any dentists not on this list please let us know.

Please always check your dentist’s billing arrangements before your first appointment.

BULK BILLING PROSTHESISTS Specialise in only making & altering dentures through Medicare & other schemes at no cost.
Christiaan Claassens Level 2, 276 Pitt St Sydney NSW 2000 Ph: 0425 214 533	Stephen E Browne JP 52B Anderson Avenue Panania 2213 Tel: 02 9773 6609 Mobile: 0411 109 452
BULK BILLING DENTISTS
Dentistry at the Cross – Dr Wayne Sherson and associates Suite 1, Level 4 376 Victoria Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Ph: 9361 4044 Web: www.datc.com.au	Holdsworth House Dentists 32a Oxford Street Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Ph: 9331 7228 Web: http://www.holdsworthhouse.com.au/dental_clinic
Dr Keith Hammond Annandale Dental 4 Johnston Street Annandale NSW Ph: 02 9569 4257 Web: www.annandaledental.com.au	Newtown Elite Dental Drs Tseng, O’Hara and Michalewska Level 1, 167 King Street Newtown NSWW 2042 Ph: 02 9519 6098 Web: www.elitedentalnewtown.com.au
Dr Adam Alford MLC Dental - Suite 1001, Level 10 MLC Centre, Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000 Ph: 9232 3866 Web: www.mlccentredental.com.au	Dr Lincoln Huang Surry Hills Medical Centre 573 Crown Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: 02 9699 3311
Centennial Smiles 40 Clovelly Road Randwick NSW 2031 Ph: 9398 1388 Email: info@centennialsmiles.com.au	Dr Martin Kitay Argyle Street Medical Centre - Westfield Cnr Argyle and Marsden Streets Parramatta NSW 2150 Ph: 9687 0070
Surry Hills Dental Clinic 616 Crown Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: 9319 7244	Dr Stephen Poole 163 Derby Street Penrith NSW 2750 Ph: 4731 5377
Dayman Dental Drs Peter and Ralph Dayman 133 Macleay Street Potts Point NSW Ph: 9326 9966 Web: www.daymandental.com	Dr L Chew 28 Darcy Street Parramatta Ph: 9891 6668 (Parramatta) or 52/95 Bonar Street Wolli Creek Ph: 9567 5977 (Wolli Creek)
Cosmetic Dental Care 3/460 Church Street Parramatta NSW 2150 Ph: 96 83 66 99 Web: www.cosmeticdentalcare.com.au	Glebe Dental Group 246 Glebe Point Road Glebe NSW Tel: 9660 2927 Web: www.glebedental.com.au
Dr Rob Starkenburg Suite 7/108 Bronte Road Bondi Junction Ph: 9389 9227 or 0431 469 449	Inform Dental 248 High Street Penrith NSW 2750 Ph: 4722 6478