Will my costs be covered by medical insurance?

The usual answer is yes. This will however depend on your specific policy terms. We recommend you check with your insurer prior to your appointment what your policy covers and if there is an excess.

Are you an ACC provider?

No, we are not an ACC provider.

How can I be referred for an appointment?

A referral from your GP or other medical specialists is required for all new patient appointments. Please fill in our new patient form after your appointment has been confirmed.

How long is an appointment?

New patient appointments are one hour long and follow up appointments are 30 minutes.

How do I prepare for my appointment?

We ask that you fill out our new patient form with as much detail as possible prior to your appointment. On the day of your appointment, we suggest you wear loose fitting clothes that are easy to change into and out of. Please bring copies of your latest medical letters and radiology results (x-rays/ultrasound/CT/MRI scans) to your appointment.

What will happen at my appointment?

During the consultation, your specialist will take a detailed medical history, perform a relevant physical examination, review all relevant laboratory and radiology results and most likely perform a bedside ultrasound to further aid diagnosis and assist in disease monitoring. Based on findings elicited, a provisional diagnosis will be made and a treatment plan devised. If intramuscular or intra-articular steroid injections / aspirations are advised, these will also be performed during the same consultation.

How much will it cost?

You will be advised of our fees prior to your appointment. Procedure fees such as for ultrasound, aspirations and injections will be in addition to the consultation fees. We respectfully ask that you settle the account on the day of your appointment.

Why is ultrasound used during my appointment?

A growing body of clinical and research studies have demonstrated the utility of ultrasound for providing better diagnostic and treatment decisions in patients with rheumatic diseases. Ultrasound is safe, non invasive, has a lower cost compared to other imaging modalities such as MRI and is free of ionising radiation. It has particular utility in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis), crystal arthropathies (gout and pseudogout) and soft tissue disorders (such as rotator cuff disease). In addition, US is an excellent bedside tool for performing accurate and safe diagnostic joint aspirations and injections.

What do I do if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?

We require a minimum 48-hours notice if you are unable to attend. Please contact us as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule. In the event of non attendance without prior notice, you may be charged your consultation fee.

Why is AI scribe used in my consultation?

We use a medical scribe tool to record accurate clinical notes during consultations. You can opt in or out of using this tool. If you choose not to allow the AI scribe to be used during your consult, it will not negatively impact your care. However, using AI scribe helps us focus on you more effectively without needing to write notes during the consultation. The transcription is redacted of sensitive, personal identifying information received and is encrypted using bank level 256-bit encryption. Only Dr Chan can access this content. All audio file is immediately destroyed post-transcription.

How do I get hold of Dr Chan in between consultations?

You are welcome to contact Dr Chan if you have any clinical concerns regarding your condition by emailing us on contact@arthritisspecialist.co.nz. However, you may be issued an invoice for this service as telehealth consultation depending on the complexity of your problem. Thank you for your understanding.

How do I get a repeat prescription for my rheumatology medications?

Please fill out a Prescription Request. Each prescription will cover a maximum of 3 months. There will be a $40 charge for this service.

Where do I find further information about my condition and medication?

Please visit the Australian Rheumatology Association website for further information on conditions and medications.