FAQs

Note – Doctors practising Integrative Medicine are fully qualified medical doctors,  who have then undergone varying amounts of additional training in this field. Functional Medicine can be considered as a specialty in it’s own right. It takes years of further post-graduate self-directed and self-financed learning (through, courses, conferences and post-graduate examinations) to learn and keep up-to-date with this growing field. The exact training done will vary amongst practitioners depending on their own interests. Hence, although medicare rebates are available, there is NO bulk-billing.

For new patients there are three options:

1. 60m consult – with questionnaire (NOTE – please call to book this option; not available through booking app)

$540 with a Medicare rebate of $113.30

Review of online questionnaires prior to appointment, one hour consult and management plan all included.

Dr Gajjar uses a dedicated functional medicine software called “Living Matrix” (https://livingmatrix.com)

After booking, you will receive a link and will be required to complete  three online forms that need to be filled out at least 2 days prior to your appointment so that she has sufficient time to read the full history before you attend   (usually a 20–30 page PDF is generated).

Please allow sufficient time to complete the questionnaire – at least 2-3 hrs – maybe more depending on the complexity of your case.

This means Dr Gajjar can progress further rather than using the consultation time documenting your basic medical history.

The initial consultation fee  takes into account the time to review the Living Matrix information prior to your appointment and the time to prepare your management plan after your consultation.

Your plan will be emailed to you within 3 working days of your appointment and  will include three main parts:

1. Copy of your profile that you submitted (for your records)
2. Management Plan with both general and specific advice relating to lifestyle.

The “Additional Information” section includes the investigations to be done, any appropriate referrals suggested and links to resources e.g. websites, books.

3. Information resources for your reference. These can be read through at your leisure and not meant to be onerous.

2. 60 min consult – no questionnaire

$450 with a Medicare rebate of $113.30

NO form

You may choose this option for one of many reasons:

• Do not want to fill out online questionnaires.
• Want to try a low cost/option to see if this approach is right for you
• Language issues.
• Want a different opinion on an integrated/functional medicine approach

During the consultation, we will address your specific queries and discuss relevant steps forward – e.g. lifestyle advice, supplements/medications, further tests/referrals warranted.

There is no specific prior preparation for this appointment

3. 30 min consult – no questionnaire

$250 with a Medicare rebate of $76.95

 NO form

You may choose this option for one of many reasons:

• Do not want to fill out online questionnaires.
• Want to try a low cost/option to see if this approach is right for you
• Language issues.
• Want a different opinion on an integrated/functional medicine approach.
• Have relatively less chronic/complex issues and feel that you don’t need to spend a whole hour to discuss.

During the consultation, we will address your specific queries and discuss relevant steps forward – e.g. lifestyle advice, supplements/medications, further tests/referrals warranted.

There is no specific prior preparation for this appointment

15m – $130 (medicare rebate – $39.75)

30m – $225 (medicare rebate- $76.95)

45m – $330 (medicare rebate – $76.95)

60m – $440 (medicare rebate- $76.95)

You are advised to have a local GP that you can see at short notice and for standard general practice issues – e.g. acute illness, PAP smears, contraception, standard post-operative care /wound checks.

For all other appointments,  book directly via the booking widget on this website, use the Medirecords app (for clinic appointments)  or call the clinic number directly.

If there are any issues with the booking system,  call us or email admin@dramygajjar.com.

PLEASE NOTE –

Surry Hills rooms – Mondays and Wednesdays only. i.e face to face appointments on these days only; telehealth also available.

Telehealth only– Tuesdays 

If you are a new patient, there will be no medicare rebate. This will apply once you have visited in person and then available for 12 months afterwards.

If you are an existing patient and have been seen face to face at the Surry Hills clinic, you are eligible for medicare rebate for 12 months from the time of the clinic visit.

Phone appointment- Dr Amy will call you; it will show as “no caller id”.

Please note – Dr Amy usually runs on time with her appointments – however, can occasionally run late. Please allow up to 15 minutes extra in case she is running late. If you do not hear from Dr Amy,  15 min after your appointment start time, you can call us or email admin@dramygajjar.com.

• If you have opted for the new patient option WITH the questionnaire, you will receive a url link to three comprehensive questionnaires using dedicated Functional Medicine software (Living Matrix- https://livingmatrix.com), which must be filled out at least 48 hours prior to the appointment. 

The payment for the initial consultation reflects the time needed to examine your case following submission of your forms. This allows us to delve deeper within the consultation as much of the relevant details have already been covered. This ultimately saves time for you and allows for a more efficient system. Within three working days, a comprehensive management plan will be emailed to you.

• If you are a new patient not doing the forms, there is no prior preparation. However, if you have any relevant results or letters, please bring them in to clinic.

For face to face appointments, please bring:

• Investigation reports – e.g. blood tests, x- rays, ultrasounds, functional tests. Do not bring the actual radiological images such as the scans or x rays themselves.
• Correspondence –relevant letters from other specialists and practitioners (including GP’s, naturopaths, nutritionists). If referred by another practitioner, a brief letter will be useful – but not essential.
• Optional – feel free to bring a notepad/pen or device so you can take notes during the consult if you wish.  Recordings are not permitted.

Some tests advised may be private – this will be discussed with you and whether you wish to proceed.

e.g RT3 is a private test and the lab will bill you directly.

There are also medicare restrictions on how often doctors can test certain items. e.g. Vitamin D can be tested once in a year subject to specific criteria; but if it is required again, it is not covered under medicare but can be requested privately.

Some examples of  functional tests and their approximate costs (direct payment to laboratory):

Gut microbiome – $380

DUTCH hormone test -$399

Adrenal profile – $299

SIBO tests- $195 – $469

Organic acids test – $380

Heavy metals – $154

In practice, a collaborative approach is optimal and we find that results are better when working as part of a “team”. For example, diet guidelines will be given as appropriate,  but many patients find it beneficial to see a nutritionist/naturopath for a whole hour, to discuss diet/recipes in more detail,  as well as have ongoing support.

1. Technical issue
2. Dr Gajjar is on leave – and the link has temporarily been deactivated.

For further assistance, please call the clinic. If Dr Gajjar is on leave,  the request can be fulfilled upon return or you can see your local GP.