FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I speak to a dietitian before booking?
There are many aspects to cover in your initial assessment which is why a 60-minute booking is required. This allows us enough time to gather information and provide recommendations for any necessary ongoing treatment.
The areas we can help you with include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Complex food intolerance and other food sensitivities that trigger symptoms such as skin rashes, sinus issues, headaches, brain fog and more
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Endometriosis / Pelvic Pain
- Coeliac Disease
There is no obligation to continue treatment if you feel it is not the right fit for you.
Do I need a referral?
The short answer is no, however we do recommend seeing your GP as you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Your doctor will discuss your options and will often include helpful medical information on your referral so we can provide the best possible care.
There are two types of referrals:
- Standard referral letter, a letter from your GP stating they are referring you for IBS or other specific gut-related concerns. It usually outlines your medical history and medications, providing us with some background info.
- Medicare care plan, specifically known as Chronic Disease Management plan. This is a special referral from your GP that offers rebates for up to 5 per calendar year.
Note: You are still able to see one of our dietitians if you don’t have a referral or care plan.
What are your prices?
A list of services and prices are available here.
Note: New patients are required to pay for their first appointment up-front to secure their spot. This allows us to provide a more consistent booking service to all of our patients.
Are rebates available under Medicare?
Yes, Medicare rebates are available for patients with chronic conditions and complex care needs that are managed by a GP. Under a Chronic Disease Management Plan you will be reimbursed a rebate of $60.35 per appointment, for up to 5 sessions per year. A Chronic Disease Management Plan can usually be renewed annually through a GP. Check with your Doctor before your appointment whether you are eligible for a plan, and ensure they sign and date your referral form prior to your appointment.
Please be aware the full consultation fee is required to be paid to us first, then Medicare will reimburse the rebate into your account usually within 24 hours, however, this varies and can sometimes take up to 5 days.
Note: The Australian healthcare system only allows one rebate to be claimed per appointment. If claiming through Medicare, then Private Health Insurance rebates do not apply.
Can I use an existing care plan addressed to a different practitioner?
Due to Australian healthcare regulations, we can only accept care plans addressed to The Gut Friendly Dietitian. If you’ve been seeing another dietitian or health professional and want to include us in your care team or make a switch, that’s great! Just have your GP amend your referral to include the following details:
The Gut Friendly Dietitian
Meridian Health Centre
153 Kembla St, Wollongong
NSW 2500
Do you bulk bill?
Do you accept Private Health Insurance?
Yes, rebates are available under private health insurance depending on your level of cover. Check your policy to see if it includes cover for dietetics and if you are entitled to an associated rebate.
Note: The Australian healthcare system only allows one rebate to be claimed per appointment. If claiming through Private Health Insurance, then Medicare rebates do not apply.
Do you see patients under NDIS and/or DVA?
Do I need any tests done before my first appointment?
- Coeliac screening serology
- Full blood count
- Folate, B12, vitamin D status
- Thyroid function
- Blood glucose levels
- CRP
- Faecal calprotectin
- H Pylori breath test
- Other tests that you identify as required
Some tests are covered under Medicare, but not all. It’s best to discuss these details with your GP.
If you have an upcoming booking for a gastroscopy, colonoscopy and/or endoscopy it’s highly recommended you postpone your first appointment until your results are back—unless you’re on a public waiting list in which case we recommend booking your dietitian appointment anyway.
How do you identify food intolerances?
We use a range of medical elimination diets to identify food intolerances.
This involves 3 phases:
- Temporary restriction of common food triggers for 2–8 weeks.
- Food challenges that involve gradually reintroducing food triggers individually, then monitoring the body’s response.
- Using the results of the food challenges, we’ll tailor a unique diet to help keep your symptoms settled long-term.
Do you perform food intolerance tests?
Which diets do you use for treatment?
- The RPAH Elimination Diet / FAILSAFE
- Low FODMAP
- Low food chemical
- Low salicylate
- Low amine
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
Unfortunately, we don’t provide guidance for the candida diet, acid diet, or AIP diet. While we are familiar with the SIBO bi-phasic diet, it has not yielded results in our experience so far.
Do you only focus on dietary treatment methods?
With your consent we may refer to or consult with other health professionals for complementary management of your gut-related concerns. This is to ensure the best outcomes for your health.