Our video / Zoom and phone consultations are ideal for busy people or anyone who finds it difficult or time consuming to travel to appointments. A limited number of face-to-face appointments are also offered in our clinic. We provide more video / Zoom and phone appointments because they are so popular, so if you would like to see us sooner, then video / Zoom or phone is the way to go.
We carry out video / Zoom and phone consultations with people of all ages (our oldest client is 99 years old). Studies show that dietitian phone and video consultations are as effective (and often more effective) than consultations carried out face-to-face in clinics.
You will receive the same PERSONALISED support whether you opt for video / Zoom, phone or face-to-face appointments, and our consultations are always on time.
You may be eligible for a rebate from your private health fund or Medicare.
Alternatively, NDIS and Workers Comp recipients may be able to have their fees fully covered. NDIS and workers comp recipients will need to complete the ‘Appointment Query’ form (at the bottom of this page) or phone 0477 275 299 and leave a message. This mobile number is for VOICE messages only. If you need to send us any forms or other information, please email them to reception@coffscoastnutrition.com.au
You can easily check our availability for video / Zoom and phone appointments.
Simply choose a practitioner, then select whether you want an initial or a review appointment.
An initial appointment is essential for your first consultation or if you have had a significant change to your medical history or if it has been longer than 12 months since your last consultation.
If you prefer a face-to-face appointment at our rooms: You will need to complete the ‘Appointment Enquiry’ form (at the bottom of this page) or phone 0477 275 299 and leave a voice message.
NDIS and Workers Comp: If this is your first appointment, you will need to complete our ‘Appointment Enquiry’ form (at the bottom of this page) or phone 0477 275 299. Review NDIS and Workers Comp phone or video / Zoom appointments can be booked online.
DVA: We are available to provide continuing support to our current DVA clients but will no longer be accepting referrals for new DVA clients.
Appointments with Louise Williams: If you would like an appointment with Louise, please complete the ‘Appointment Enquiry’ form (at the bottom of this page) or phone 0477 275 299 and leave a voice message so that we can get in touch with you.
Appointments with Lauren Mason: Initial and review video / Zoom and phone appointments can be booked online. Lauren offers a number of early morning appointments (6.30am or 7am) as well as evening appointments from 5pm or 5.30pm). If you wish to see Lauren, you will need to book a 75 minute initial appointment.
Appointments with Dr Paul Lewandowski: Initial and review video / Zoom and phone appointments can be booked online. Some evening / after hours appointments are also available. Paul offers 30, 60 and 75 minute initial appointments.
When booking your appointment: Let us know the reason for your appointment. It is helpful if you provide as much detail as possible rather than simply saying “nutrition” or “diet advice” or “doctor’s referral”.
Video / Zoom consultations: Lauren will email a link to you on the day or your appointment. Paul will usually email the link to you the day before your appointment. Simply click on this link at the time of your appointment. After your appointment, we will send you an individualised consult summary and other relevant resources.
Phone consultations: We will ring you at the time of your appointment. You will need to ensure that your phone can accept calls from a private number. After your appointment, we will send you an individualised consult summary and other relevant resources.
Louise specialises in IBS and women’s health. She is experienced in supporting people regarding the FODMAP diet, RPAH elimination diet and various gastrointestinal conditions. She regularly provides nutrition support regarding endometriosis, peri-menopause, menopause and gynaecological cancers. Louise has a keen interest in gut health and anti-inflammatory nutrition as well as medical nutrition therapy for a range of conditions. She is also an Accredited Sports Dietitian. For more information go to the ‘Meet our team’ section of our website.
Lauren has a strong interest in IBS, gut health, food intolerances, women’s health and medical nutrition therapy for chronic conditions. She enjoys supporting people who want to maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Lauren is also experienced in helping people with disordered eating to develop a positive relationship with food. She is an Accredited Sports Dietitian and can help athletes and active individuals to optimise their nutrition to meet fuelling, recovery, performance and body composition goals. Lauren sees both adults and children and can help if your child is a fussy eater or has nutritional deficiencies.
Paul has a range of experience in areas such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, bariatric surgery, liver disease, gastrointestinal surgery, all forms of diabetes, stroke and neurological conditions, cardiovascular disease, weight management, malnutrition etc. Paul is fully NDIS trained and accredited. For more information go to the ‘Meet our team’ section of our website.
It is not necessary to have a referral to see one of our dietitians, unless you wish to claim a Medicare rebate or are a workers comp recipient.
A referral is not required in order to claim a rebate through your private health fund, however you should check with your health fund to see if they cover dietitian appointments.
NDIS recipients will need to provide prior written approval before seeing our dietitians.
Please note: We will continue to support current DVA clients however we will no longer be accepting referrals for new DVA clients.
We see NDIS and Workers Comp recipients. If this is your first appointment, you will need to complete our ‘Appointment Enquiry’ form (at the bottom of this page) or phone 0477 275 299 and leave a voice message so that we can return your call. Review video / Zoom and phone appointments can be booked online.
Information required from NDIS recipients (in writing / via email)
Reason for appointment (so we can decide on the best dietitian for you to see)
Whether self-managed, plan-managed or agency managed.
Plan manager and/or support coordinator’s contact details (email and phone number)
NDIS participant number
Number of appointments required (if known)
Initial appointment length: 60, 75 or 90 minutes
Review appointment length: 30 or 45 or 60 minutes
Whether any reports are required and if so, how many
Information required by Workers Comp recipients (in writing / via email):
Reason for appointment (so we can decide on the best dietitian for you to see)
Full name and D.O.B.
Workers Comp claim number / participant number
Name and contact details (phone and email) of the case manager
Written confirmation that the Workers Comp organisation agrees to pay the cost of appointments and letting us know how many appointments they approve
Whether any reports are required and if so, how many
DVA: We will continue to support current DVA clients but will no longer be accepting referrals for new DVA clients.
Medicare rebates are available for video / Zoom, phone and face-to-face appointments. To be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $63.40 you must have a valid Medicare referral from your doctor. To satisfy Medicare requirements, you must meet certain criteria.
From 1st July 2025 onwards: Valid Medicare referral letter from your GP as well as preparation of a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). In order to be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $63.40 rebate, your doctor must state that it is a Medicare referral. A standard referral letter that does not mention this will not be accepted by Medicare.
GPs should not be providing the old Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referrals. These have not been accepted by Medicare since 1st July 2025.
Check with your GP to see if you qualify for a Medicare referral to a dietitian.
Please note: All local medical centres have been advised that we do not bulk bill initial appointments under Medicare, however patients with a valid Medicare referral will instead be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $63.40. Payment in full is required prior to your appointment. We will process your Medicare rebate for you after the appointment. This will then go into the account you have linked with Medicare.
No, we do NOT bulk bill initial consultations under Medicare, however a valid Medicare referral will enable you to claim a Medicare rebate of $63.40 per visit. You will need to pay for the appointment first and then we can process your Medicare rebate on your behalf (after your appointment) so that the rebate goes back into the account that you have linked with Medicare.
All local medical centres have been advised that we do NOT bulk bill initial appointments.
Our fees reflect the experience and expertise of our specialist dietitians. Our fees also reflect the time and effort taken to review reports, test results, referrals, prepare individualised appointment summaries and other resources, and complete reports to your referring doctor.
We do not generally bulk bill review appointments, however in certain circumstances (such as patients with an Eating Disorder Referral which allows up to 20 appointments with our dietitians) we may offer to bulk bill REVIEW phone or video / Zoom appointments. This is at the discretion of your dietitian.
The total number of Medicare visits available per calendar year under the Allied Health Program is five. These five visits may be shared between various allied health providers such as a dietitian, podiatrist, exercise physiologist or physio (eg 4 visits to a dietitian and 1 visit to a podiatrist) or the entire five visits may be allocated to a dietitian.
If your GP has prepared an Eating Disorders Plan (EDP) you may be eligible for up to 20 visits over 12 months with our dietitians.
Yes, you can use your referral with any of the dietitians at Coffs Coast Nutrition.
YES. If your Medicare referral was made out by your GP from 1st July 2025 onwards and you also have a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) in place, you will be able to use your referral at Coffs Coast Nutrition.
If you have private health insurance as well as a Medicare referral from your GP, you will need to choose whether to claim a Medicare rebate of $63.40 or a rebate through your private health fund. You cannot claim both rebates at a single appointment, however you can alternate between claiming a Medicare rebate at one appointment and claiming through your private health fund at your next appointment.
If you have private health cover, check with your health fund to see what rebate they offer.
If you are unsure whether your doctor has prepared a Medicare referral for you, or if you would like to know whether you are eligible for a Medicare referral, check with your doctor.
Please note: We do not bulk bill initial appointments under Medicare, however if you have a valid Medicare referral you may be able to claim a rebate of $63.40.
If you attend a face-to-face appointment at Coffs Coast Nutrition, you will need to pay at the time of the appointment. This applies to everyone except NDIS, Workers Comp and DVA recipients.
We require pre-payment prior to video / Zoom and phone consultations. This makes things easier for you on the day of the appointment. No need to worry about phone calls to chase up payment.
Pre-payment also protects us from unfortunate incidents where people have received a consult and been happy with the information provided, but have tried to avoid paying.
Initial phone and video / Zoom appointment: We require payment at the time of booking your initial appointment. This information will be encrypted and securely stored in our system. Payment will be processed the evening prior to your appointment.
Review phone and video / Zoom appointments: You have the option of either paying for your appointment (as above) or transferring payment at least two business days prior to your appointment. Our account details will be in your appointment confirmation email.
