Medicare is an amazing privilege of living in Australia. On 1 August 2020, the Federal government implemented significant changes to cardiac testing which limits bulk billing and medicare rebates for 1. Echocardiograms 2. Exercise stress tests 3. Consults performed immediately after tests Essentially, stress tests for patients without symptoms (unless diabetic) can't be performed through medicare (either bulk billed or rebatable). THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY CAN'T...
Private Insurance - why it is so important
Posted By George Touma,
26/02/2021 12:00 PM
We are very lucky to live in Australia. Our current COVID 19 situation is a daily reminder of that. But our health care system isn't perfect. There are currently three tears of private health insurance cover in Australia that cover hospital care 1. Gold policies 2. Silver policies 3. Bronze or basic policies Its very important that you ensure you have a silver or higher to cover cardiac procedures in the private hospital. Why is this important? 1....
Choosing your interventional cardiologist.
Posted By Dr George Touma,
21/02/2021 09:00 AM
Hello everybody. Not all tradesmen are equal in ability. Not all accountants are equal in ability. Not all lawyers are equal in ability. Similarly, not all interventional cardiologists are equal in ability with regard to management of coronary disease. An interventional cardiologist is a cardiologist that performs invasive procedures such as coronary stenting, valve implantation. A non invasive cardiologist is one that does not. While all doctors in Australia...
Calcific coronary disease
Posted By Dr George Touma,
11/02/2021 21:00 PM
Caclified coronary artery narrowings are among the most challenging to treat. Not all interventional cardiologists have the required skill set to treat these very complicated narrowings. Firstly, calcified lesions are very hard (think calcium in bones). The usual technique to balloon arteries is often not effective or dangerous when used on its own in these hard blockages. I have special expertise in the management of calcified coronary blockages using both...
Second and third opinion consultations
Posted By Dr George Touma,
08/02/2021 08:00 AM
Cardiovascular medicine is a very complex area. There are so many varied opinions about how different problems should be managed. Are you concerned about a particular aspect of your heart health? Do you want to review a management strategy put forward by a friend, or colleague. Often, if your instincts are uncertain about a recommendation, a second opinion can help direct and optimise management. Due to popular demand, I have now established a dedicated second opinion...