Frequently Asked Questions

What does a skin check consist of? With us, a proper skin check is a head-to-toe medical assessment, not just a quick look at one mole. We start by asking about your: • Personal and family history of skin cancer • Sun exposure and sunburn history • Medications and general health • Any spots you are worried about Then we examine all the skin we can safely see, using good lighting and a dermatoscope (a special magnifying light) to assess moles and spots in detail. If anything looks suspicious, we may take clinical and dermatoscopic photos, mark it for review, or recommend a biopsy or removal. What to expect in a skin check? Expect a calm, systematic process, not a rushed glance. 1. You’ll be given privacy to undress (usually down to bra and underwear). 2. We examine your scalp, face, neck, trunk, arms, legs, hands, feet and nails. 3. We point out which spots are harmless, which we want to monitor, and which might need treatment. You walk out with a clear plan – for example: • “Everything looks OK, see you in 12 months”, or • “We’ll biopsy/remove these few spots and then review with you”. What does a full body skin check consist of? A full body skin check with us includes: • Scalp and hairline • Face, ears, eyelids and lips • Neck, chest, breasts and under-breast folds • Back, tummy and flanks • Arms, hands and nails • Legs, feet and between the toes • Buttocks and groin folds (if you consent) We’re looking for new lesions, changing lesions and any “odd one out” mole that doesn’t match your usual pattern – that’s often how early melanomas are picked up. Do you have to take clothes off with us? For a proper skin cancer check with us, we need to see as much skin as possible – but you stay in control at all times. • We usually ask patients to undress down to bra and underwear, in private. • Without removing underwear or bra we cannot check the skin underneath, so whether you take them off is entirely your choice. If you prefer more coverage, we can: • Provide a gown or drape, and/or • Examine one area at a time so you never feel completely uncovered. Our aim is to balance a thorough, safe skin check with your comfort and modesty. Do you wear a bra for a skin check? We usually ask patients to undress down to bra and underwear, in private. However you may choose to have your bras removed so we can check the entire chest and the folds under the breasts, where skin cancers and sun damage often hide. This is done quickly and respectfully, and we can use a towel or gown if that helps you feel more at ease. If you’re very anxious, tell us – we can explain each step and move at a pace that works for you. Do you check private areas? We can check any skin, including private areas, if: • You want us to, and • There is a clinical reason (for example, a spot, rash or previous skin cancer). We will always: • Explain why an area should be checked • Ask for your consent • Offer a gown/drape and/or a chaperone if you prefer • Examine the area briefly and respectfully If you would rather not have a particular area checked, you can simply tell us. We will work around your comfort level while explaining any risks of leaving areas unexamined. Do I need to fully undress with you? Not always. It depends on the type of visit: • For a full body skin check, we usually need you down to bra and underwear, and may ask to see under straps or waistbands briefly. • For a spot check of a single lesion or a small area, we only need that specific area exposed. You will always undress in private, and we can use gowns or drapes and check one area at a time if that makes you more comfortable. Should I shave my pubic hair before a skin check? No, there is no need to shave or wax for us. If hair is very dense and is hiding a specific worrying spot, trimming might help, but for routine checks it’s rarely necessary. The best preparation is simply: • Clean skin • No heavy make-up or thick fake tan over suspicious spots • A mental note (or list) of any moles you are worried about. Costs, Medicare and bulk billing Is a skin check covered by Medicare? Yes – when you see us for a medical skin concern or clinical skin cancer check, Medicare usually pays a rebate. At our Newcastle clinic, skin checks are billed as standard medical consultations. Medicare currently rebates about $43.90 for an eligible consult. • If we bulk bill you, Medicare pays the whole fee. • If we charge a private fee, Medicare pays the rebate and you pay the gap. How much does a skin check cost in Newcastle? At our clinic in Newcastle, as a guide: • Full body skin check • Standard fee: $150 • Pensioner concession (age or disability pension card): $110 • Medicare rebate: about $43.90 • Spot check for a specific concern • Fee: $80 • Medicare rebate: about $43.90 Your out-of-pocket cost is the fee minus the Medicare rebate. How much does it cost to get your skin checked? With us, the cost depends on the type of visit: • Full body skin check • $150 standard, $110 for eligible pensioner card holders • Less about $43.90 Medicare rebate • Spot check for a particular lesion or concern • $80 • Less about $43.90 rebate So in many cases, the gap is relatively modest – especially compared with the health and financial cost of treating late-stage skin cancer. How much does a full skin exam cost? A full, head-to-toe skin exam with us is: • $150 for most adults • $110 for age or disability pension card holders Medicare typically rebates about $43.90, so your out-of-pocket cost is the fee minus this amount. Fees may change over time, so it’s always worth confirming when you book. Are skin checks covered by Medicare? Yes. When you book a medical skin check with us, Medicare generally pays a rebate, provided the visit meets Medicare’s criteria (which routine clinical skin cancer checks usually do). We do not claim Medicare for purely cosmetic mole checks where there is no medical concern. Can I get a free skin check? With us, some patients won’t have any out-of-pocket cost: • We bulk bill DVA card holders. • We bulk bill children under 12 years of age. • We run a bulk-billing clinic for new patients with specific skin concerns at allocated times with Dr Joanne Ha. These are focused “spot-check” style appointments, not routine full-body screening. For others, there is usually a gap payment, but Medicare still covers part of the fee. How much is a skin check normally? “Normal” fees vary between clinics and cities. At our Newcastle clinic, you can use these as a practical guide: • Full body skin check: $150 (or $110 with age/disability pension card), minus Medicare rebate (~$43.90). • Spot check: $80, minus Medicare rebate (~$43.90). Other clinics may be higher or lower, but this gives you a clear idea of typical costs with us. Can a normal GP do a skin check? Yes. Many GPs are very capable at detecting common skin cancers and reassuring you about harmless lesions. Some GPs also have extra training and a special interest in skin cancer. If your GP is unsure about a lesion, they can: • Biopsy it themselves, or • Refer you to a skin cancer clinic (like ours) or another specialist service. What matters is that your skin is actually examined, and anything suspicious is followed through. Can my GP do a skin check? Absolutely. Your GP is often the first and best starting point. They know your overall health, family history and medications. Many people choose to: • Have basic skin checks with their GP, and • Attend a dedicated skin cancer clinic for more detailed or regular full-body assessments. If your GP feels your skin is higher-risk or more complex, they may recommend ongoing checks with a skin cancer clinic like ours. Can a regular doctor do a skin check? Yes. A “regular doctor” (usually a GP) is trained to examine the skin and identify suspicious lesions. The key is how they do it: • Do they use a dermatoscope? • Do they check most of your skin, not just one spot? • Do they arrange biopsies, imaging or follow-up when needed? If you ever feel your check was too quick or incomplete, it’s fine to ask for a dedicated skin check appointment or a referral to a clinic like ours. Can I go to my GP for skin concerns? Please do – that’s exactly what your GP is there for. New mole, sore that won’t heal, patch that bleeds or itches, or a rash you’re unsure about – all are good reasons to see your GP. They can: • Manage many problems themselves • Refer you to a skin cancer clinic for further assessment if needed You don’t need to wait until something “looks really bad”. Early is always better. Can a GP determine skin cancer? In many cases, yes. With training and dermatoscopy, GPs can accurately identify most basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas and many melanomas. A good GP will: • Yake your concern seriously • Examine the lesion properly • Arrange a biopsy or excision if there’s any doubt • Refer on if the case is complex or high-risk Skin cancer is ultimately confirmed by pathology (a biopsy), but your GP is critical in deciding what to biopsy and when. Do I need a GP referral for a skin check? To see us, you usually do not need a GP referral – you can book directly for both full skin checks and specific concerns. However, a GP referral can be useful because it: • Summarises your medical history and medications • Highlights any particular areas of concern Public hospital clinics and some other specialist services do require a referral, but a dedicated skin cancer clinic like ours generally does not. Do I need a GP referral to see you? No. You can book an appointment with us directly. If your GP has already seen something they’re worried about and sends you with a letter or report, that’s helpful – but not essential for you to make an appointment. Is it worth going to a private skin cancer clinic? For many people, yes. A dedicated private skin cancer clinic offers: • Doctors who focus heavily on skin cancer • Access to dermatoscopy and often total body or lesion photography • More time for a thorough head-to-toe check • Continuity of care and regular reminders for follow-up Your GP remains central to your care, but a private skin cancer clinic can add another layer of specialised surveillance and early detection, especially if you have lots of moles, previous skin cancers or significant sun damage. What not to say at a skin check? You don’t have to censor yourself – honesty helps us help you. The only really unhelpful things are those that downplay your concern, such as: • “It’s probably nothing, I almost didn’t come.” • “Google says it’s just a freckle, so don’t worry about it.” • “I feel like I’m wasting your time.” You are never wasting our time by getting a spot checked. The most useful things you can say are: • “This has changed.” • “It bleeds / itches / hurts.” • “I’ve had a skin cancer here before.” That’s the kind of information that helps us pick up skin cancer early, when it’s most treatable.