In many cases the answer is No.   However, Patients who wish to access Medicare's EPC program (Enhanced Primary Care Plan) - which allows bulk billing of up to 5 podiatry visits per calendar year will need to have this referral in hand, set up by their GP prior to their first scheduled visit. Please discuss whether you are eligible for the EPC program with your GP. DVA Gold Card holders will require a simple letter from their GP brought along to their initial consultation.   TAC Clients (those whose costs are covered due to a recognised transport accident) are required to have an approval letter from TAC to commence treatment. Please speak to your case manager at TAC to organise this approval letter. All podiatry invoices are forwarded directly to TAC for payment.

Our fees vary for more information about this, rebates or discounts please contact us.   Initial Consult (F004) Standard (follow-up) Consult (F012): Biomechanical Assessment (F004, F118) Foot Casting (F301) Pair of Custom Foot Orthotics (F221/F221 Standard Home Visit (F033) Ingrown Toenail Surgery - Nail edge avulsion and matrix sterilisation (single edge) Includes 2 follow-up consultations and/or dressings removal   (F546) - Nail edge avulsion and matrix sterilisation (total nail) Includes 2 follow-up consultations and/or dressings  (F547) - Nail edge avulsion and matrix sterilisation - each additional edge  (F548)

Many Private Health Insurance providers cover podiatry under extras. We highly recommend that you check with your insurance provider before you set up your initial appointment with Leanne Shields Podiatry. Please mention the item codes above with your provider to know what services you are covered for and at what rebate level.

At this time Medicare only covers podiatry for patients who have an EPC or Enhanced Primary Care Plan. This plan is issued by a general practitioner (GP), please make sure that your GP refers you to Leanne Shields Podiatry on the EPC paperwork.   **Medicare funded podiatry is available for up to a MAXIMUM of five (5) consultations (or the number of appointments allocated by the referring Doctor) per calendar year. It is the responsibility of the patient to be aware of how many appointments they have used for other allied health services. It is not uncommon for a patient to receive a referral to both podiatry and physiotherapy or another allied health branch eg dietitian or diabetes educator. The important thing to note is that the TOTAL number of consultations between all these allied health providers does not exceed 5 visits per calendar year. Eg 3 podiatry visits + 2 physio visits = 5 (max) visits taken for the year.   If your EPC has expired or the rebate has already been allocated to other services the standard service fees will apply.   Patients attending Leanne Shields Podiatry should note that we are a private billing practice. It is our policy that payment for your consultation be made up front. Fees (outlined above) may be paid by cash, EFTPOS or Credit Card.

Yes, we provide a home visit service. Please contact the clinic for pricing information as our fees are based on the distance from our Sunshine clinic location. Please see locations page for serviced areas.

Yes, we do accept DVA referrals from your General Practitioner.

We do. TAC Clients (those whose costs are covered due to a recognised transport accident) are required to have an approval letter from TAC to commence treatment. Please speak to your case manager at TAC to organise this approval letter. All podiatry invoices are forwarded directly to TAC for payment.

We take our patients’ safety very seriously. Our foot clinics in Melbourne exceeds current Australian Standards for sterilisation of surgical and non-surgical instruments. Yes we take the safety of our patients very seriously. Our guidelines are very strict when it comes to packaging our instruments and their sterilisation. We log and annually validate these processes to track and ensure that all processes and recommendations are strictly adhered to. Leanne Shields Podiatry undertake ongoing professional education in the area of Infection Control yearly.

We advise that you bring your orthotics, x-rays and scans that you have had in the recent past if is applies to your current foot concerns. If this is your initial, first consultation or biochemical assessment please bring with you your current most frequently worn footwear or exercise shoes (eg runners). Please wear comfortable and loose clothing or shorts especially for patients who will undergo a biochemical assessment.

Leanne Shields Podiatry asks all our patients to remove their nail polish and shellac prior to coming to all their appointments as this allows proper visual assessment of nail health.

A podiatrist is a member of the Allied Health Profession. All podiatry practitioners working in Australia are registered by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Podiatrists under their registration are allowed to diagnose, assess and treat lower limb and foot pathologies.   Some of the health concerns podiatrists diagnose, treat and assess include:   • Diabetes foot assessment and management • Foot and ankle injuries • Gait disorders • Walking and Posture Problems • Ingrown toenails • Painful skin conditions such as corns and callouses • Viral skin conditions such as Warts • General skin and nail treatments for patients who are finding it difficult to safely attend to their own care. At Leanne Shields Podiatry, our podiatrists are closely aligned with other Allied Health practitioners, general practitioners and medical specialists. With your consent feedback to your GP or other professionals may be required given the outcomes of your foot assessments.  

Our team at Leanne Shields Podiatry attend regular ongoing education seminars and courses to keep up to date on current medical advances. This enables us to stay at the top of our profession and to provide the best podiatric services that our patients need.

The initial biomechanical consultation usually takes about thirty minutes to complete. The consultation includes:   • Thorough history taking • Stance and Physical assessment (including walking and standing assessments) At times the consultation and assessment may require a referral for an Xray or Ultrasound. If you were referred to Leanne Shields Podiatry the information/diagnosis from your biomechanical assessment is forwarded to your GP.  

Custom foot orthotics are constructed from the information gained within your biomechanical assessment and your reported history of pain/disorder. This information directs your custom foot orthotic prescription. The plaster casts are sent along with your prescription to be constructed off-site in one of Australia's Leading Orthotic Laboratories. From your casting appointment to your orthotic issue appointment we allow two weeks.   

When you pick your child’s school shoes, it’s very important that the shoes are comfortable. If they are poorly fitted it can affect your child’s balance, gait or posture. Note that an average child (student) spends 1200 hours per school year wearing their school shoes. Many parents find the visit to a podiatrist to discuss shoe fit, biomechanics and good style/brand options invaluable.

Podiatrists look after the foot care needs of everyone. Depending upon the age of the patient we generally deal with a differing set of concerns, below are some common presentations although people present to podiatrists with a huge range of concerns. In young children we commonly assess gait concerns from parents, shoe queries and nail cutting techniques. In adolescents and adults we often see ingrown toenails, corns and callouses, painful biomechanical concerns eg, sore arches, and the issuing of orthoses. In older people we often help with general nail care and skin conditions such as painful corns and callouses where sometimes people can't reach to safely attend to their feet themselves, we aim to help older people to maintain their independence and mobility.

Orthoses or commonly called ‘orthotics’ are devices placed inside your shoes which change the way your feet function dynamically (when in motion) and during your static stance (standing but not moving). Depending on the specific condition being treated we can use customised orthoses or prefabricated orthoses in a variety of materials to reduce foot and leg pain/fatigue by improving the alignment and function of the feet and lower legs. To discuss your specific needs please call our friendly staff to discuss. In young children we commonly assess gait concerns from parents, shoe queries and nail cutting techniques. In adolescents and adults we often see ingrown toenails, corns and callouses, painful biomechanical concerns eg, sore arches, and the issuing of orthoses. In older people we often help with general nail care and skin conditions such as painful corns and callouses where sometimes people can't reach to safely attend to their feet themselves, we aim to help older people to maintain their independence and mobility.