Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an appointment?
We take online bookings at our Regency Park (Westwood) clinic, click the 'Book Online' tab above to see available times.
To book at our Norwood or Adelaide city rooms, please call either clinic to schedule an appointment. All 5 therapists (Belinda, Hannah, Erica, Nicole and Gloria) share their time between the different clinics, so are only available on certain days.
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Initial appointments are 40 minutes long (NDIS appointments are longer - please remember to mention this when booking).
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If you have a question about your injury or your splint is uncomfortable, please ring the rooms to bring your appointment forward. Alternatively you can send us an email via the "Contact Us" section below, but we are limited in the help we can provide via email.
Am I able to claim from my health fund?
Yes, we can swipe your private health insurance card at the front desk after your consult. To receive a rebate your insurance must include Extras cover for 'Occupational Therapy' or 'Physiotherapy' (depending who your consultation is with).
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The amount of rebate differs between health funds and your level of Extras cover. To find out the amount that you would be rebated, please contact your private health insurance provider. Rebates are for consults only, consumables including custom-made orthoses (splints) may come at an extra cost. It is possible to claim funds back for an orthosis by speaking to your health fund in person.
What is Occupational Therapy?
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a bachelor or under-graduate degree studied at University, similar to Physiotherapy. It is the study of rehabilitation using activity, and can be applied in a variety of different settings such as paediatrics, hospitals, mental health, aged care and hand therapy.
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Occupational Therapists are trained in splint making and hand / upper limb injury rehabilitation at University - Belinda currently teaches the splinting course at Uni SA.
What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is the rehabilitation of an injury to the upper limb, including fingers, hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. It is practiced by either an Occupational Therapist or a Physiotherapist; and includes management of both conservative or post-operative injuries.
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Orthoses (also known as splints) are custom-made thermoplastic guards for the hand, wrist or elbow. They are made in your consult to fit your hand by melting the plastic and moulding around your hand. If you have any questions about your splint please call us.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral to been seen at Adelaide Hand Therapy as a private patient. If you have been referred by your GP or another therapist, a referral or letter is always appreciated as they will be able to provide some background about your problem.
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People who have their claim managed by Return to Work SA or a third party / insurance company, require a referral prior to the initial visit. Please come prepared to your consult with your claim number, insurance company name, and doctor referral. The consult cost will otherwise need to be covered privately.
Do you accept Third Party claims?
Yes we do accept claims through Return to Work SA or third party claims such as motor vehicle accidents. You will require a referral from a doctor or surgeon for your consult to be invoiced to the insurance company.
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We also accept Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plans, which are allocated by general practitioners. They must be written for “Occupational Therapy”. There is a small gap payment for the consults. Consumables are not included.
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We also accept NDIS and Aged Care third party funded clients. Please make this known on the phone when making your appointment.
Do you accept NDIS clients?
Yes we do see NDIS clients, but only able to bill NDIS 'self-managed' or 'plan-managed' funds. Consultations are billed either on the day or invoices sent through to the plan manager if all of the claim details are provided.
We are not NDIA registered, so people with this funding are asked to pay privately on the day (we apologise for any inconvenience).
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Initial bookings are made for 1 hour, follow up appointments are booked for the length of time necessary. Please mention when booking that it is an NDIS-funded appointment.
Do you do Home Visits?
Yes we are able to make home visits for both NDIS or Aged Care Home Packages.
It is important to know that we avoid doing these as we can never estimate all the equipment we might need and advise that we usually need to make 2-3x visits to follow up.