Urologists

Common reasons for referral

GPs commonly refer to urology for recurrent urinary tract infections that haven’t responded to standard treatment, kidney stones, blood in the urine, an elevated PSA test or other prostate concerns, and bladder or urinary symptoms affecting daily life. Many of these are investigated with imaging or a specific test before any procedure is considered, and a first urology appointment is often about working out what further investigation is needed rather than jumping straight to treatment.

Referral and Medicare

A GP referral lasts 12 months by default and can be extended for an ongoing condition needing continued monitoring, such as active surveillance of a prostate condition. Diagnostic tests — ultrasound, CT, specific blood tests — are billed and rebated separately from the consultation itself, and it is worth asking upfront which tests are being ordered and what each is likely to cost out of pocket.

Surgical and non-surgical management

A significant portion of urology is managed without surgery — medication for an enlarged prostate, lifestyle and pelvic floor approaches for incontinence, and monitoring rather than immediate treatment for some prostate findings. Where surgery is needed, the usual private/public cost structure applies: private treatment is faster to schedule but carries surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees each with a gap, while public treatment is free with a wait based on clinical priority.

What to bring

Bring your referral, any relevant test results (PSA history in particular, if that’s the reason for referral, since trends over time matter more than a single result), and a clear account of symptoms — frequency, timing and anything that makes them better or worse. Family history of prostate or kidney conditions is relevant and worth mentioning.

Questions worth asking

• What further tests do you need, and what will they cost?
• Is this something that needs treatment now, or ongoing monitoring first?
• If surgery is an option, what is the combined out-of-pocket cost?
• What are the realistic outcomes and recovery time for the recommended treatment?
• How often will follow-up be needed?