Frequently asked questions about appointments

What are Dr. Kavanagh’s appointment times?

Dr Kavanagh’s clinics are held between 8.30am and 12.30pm on Monday to Friday. He also sees new patients on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons

All Clinics are held in Suite 19, Galway Clinic, Doughiska, Galway but he also offers video consultations.

Clinics are run by appointment. Each patient is allocated a time slot and the clinics usually run on time. If the clinic runs behind, it tends to do so towards the latter half of the clinic (i.e. at the end of the morning). If it is especially important that you are not kept waiting, please request an appointment at the start of the day where time delays are less likely to occur.

How much does it cost to see Dr. Kavanagh?

For new patients the cost of a clinical consultation is determined by complexity of your medical problem and ranges from €180 up to €250. The complexity of your problem is determined in advance by information from your referring doctor so you will be notified in advance of your appointment.

The charge for follow up appointments (for those patients seen in the last 2 years by Dr. Kavanagh)  is €150.

Payments can be made using debit card, credit card or cheque.

I have health insurance.  Will my insurer pay for my consultations with the doctor?

For outpatient consultations, you will be expected to ‘pay as you go’ and then, at the end of the year (around the anniversary of your policy), submit receipts to your insurer. Over the year there is usually a shortfall (about €400 – depending on your policy) which you will have to pay yourself and after that, your insurer will reimburse you with a fixed amount for each consultation.

Are there any extra costs to pay?

There may be additional costs for injections, depending on the complexity of the consultation and your medical problem. The additional cost of injections performed can usually be billed directly to your insurance company.

What about tests – will my insurer pay for those?

For most outpatient tests (e.g. blood tests and x-rays) performed in hospital you will be liable for the cost of the test when it happens.  You will then collect your receipts and at the end of the year (again, subject to a shortfall, which you will have to fund yourself) submit them to your insurer.

Please ask at reception for an estimate of hospital charges.

How can I claim income tax relief?

Medical expenses that are not paid by your insurer can be claimed against income tax.  You can do this by completing a Med 1 form   and attaching receipts at the end of the tax year.  You will be automatically issued with a receipt at each visit and Med1 forms are available at our reception desk.

What about MRI scans?

Most of the insurance companies will directly reimburse the hospital performing your MRI scans provided they are requested by a consultant.  It is no longer necessary to be admitted to hospital to have your MRI scans covered. Some insurers place some further restrictions on scanning by limiting cover to a list of specific medical indications for scanning.

At present, the VHI and Aviva will provide direct payment for MRI scans (where referred by a consultant)  in the Galway Clinic and Merlin Park Imaging Centre (also Barrington’s Hospital in Limerick).

Those insured by Laya are covered in The Galway Clinic. Those insured by GMA and ESB are covered in most MRI centres. Its always an idea to check with your insurer but our office staff will usually be in a position to advise you at the time you are referred for a scan.

I have a medical card.  Will it cover me?

Your medical card cannot be used to pay blood tests, x-rays or MRI scans in a private hospital.

If you have your x-rays (relevant to your medical problem) performed in another hospital, please bring them with you to your appointment.

How can I keep the cost of my tests to a minimum?

If tests are performed by your GP it will save on the cost of follow up visits purely to review the results of blood tests.  If you have blood tests or x-rays arranged by your GP, remember that it takes a couple of weeks to get the blood test results, and you will also need to retrieve your x-ray films from the X-Ray Department where you have your x-rays taken.  Allow yourself plenty of time to organise this.

A letter will be issued to you at the time of your first visit (or at any time on your request) which will allow you to retrieve your x-ray films from another hospital should you need to do so.

Please remember to bring all your test results with you on your appointment day.