Consultation Fees | North Shore Sydney
Transparent Pricing at Lane Cove
Clear, honest pricing with HICAPS on-the-spot private health rebates. No hidden fees — what you see is what you pay, with your fund rebate applied at the desk.
HICAPS On-the-Spot
6 Major Health Funds
Mon–Sun 9am–9pm
Consultation Fees
Our Fee Schedule
All fees are inclusive of GST. Private health rebates are processed immediately via HICAPS at our Lane Cove reception. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your fund and level of cover.
Dr Christine's Signature Treatment Philosophy
The Integrated Wellbeing Session
Dr Christine Shen's unique approach weaves Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Holistic Psychotherapy into a single, seamlessly integrated healing experience. While the acupuncture needles gently work on restoring your body's balance, you recline comfortably on the treatment bed in a deeply relaxed state. Christine engages in an open, unhurried therapeutic conversation — exploring whatever is present in your life that day, whether physical, emotional, relational or spiritual. Your herbal medicine is reviewed and adjusted within the same session. True wellbeing cannot be separated into compartments; this integrated session addresses the whole person, all at once.
Christine's Signature Session
Integrated Wellbeing Session
$165
75 minutes
- Acupuncture — needles placed & monitored throughout
- Chinese herbal medicine reviewed & prescribed
- Holistic psychotherapy — all life aspects welcome
- You rest comfortably on the treatment bed throughout
- Mind, body & spirit addressed in one session
- HICAPS rebate applies to acupuncture component
Book Integrated Session
Initial Consultation
$150
90 minutes
- Full TCM assessment (Four Pillars)
- Tongue and pulse diagnosis
- Comprehensive health history
- Personalised treatment plan
- First acupuncture treatment included
- Herbal medicine recommendations
Book Initial
Most Common
Follow-up Treatment
$110
60 minutes
- Progress assessment
- Updated tongue and pulse reading
- Full acupuncture treatment
- Adjunct therapies as indicated (cupping, moxa)
- Herbal formula review and renewal
- Lifestyle and dietary guidance
Book Follow-up
Herbal / Telehealth
$90
45 minutes
- Herbal medicine prescription
- Dietary and lifestyle consultation
- Available via video or in-clinic
- Ideal for remote or interstate patients
- Follow-up herbal formula adjustments
- No travel required
Book Telehealth
Private Health Insurance
HICAPS On-the-Spot Claiming
We offer HICAPS electronic claiming at our Lane Cove clinic, which means your private health rebate is processed immediately at the desk — you only pay the gap, if any. No forms, no waiting, no out-of-pocket for the rebate portion.
Accepted Health Funds
Medibank Private
BUPA
HCF
NIB
HBF
AHM
Coverage depends on your individual policy and level of extras cover. Most policies that include extras for acupuncture or natural therapies will cover acupuncture consultations. Herbal medicine consultations may or may not be covered depending on your fund. We recommend checking your entitlements with your fund before your appointment — our reception team is also happy to help you look this up.
Other Insurers
If your fund is not listed above, you may still be able to claim by requesting a receipt and submitting directly to your fund. We provide itemised receipts for all consultations. Contact our Lane Cove clinic to confirm whether we can process your fund via HICAPS.
Additional Information
Concessions, Packages and Payment
Concession Rates
We offer concession pricing for pension cardholders, full-time students and Healthcare Card holders at our Lane Cove clinic. Please mention your concession status at the time of booking and bring your card to your appointment. Concession rates are available on follow-up consultations and are subject to practitioner availability.
- Pensioner Concession Card holders
- Healthcare Card holders
- Full-time tertiary students (with ID)
Package Options
For patients committed to a sustained course of treatment, we offer prepaid consultation packages at a reduced rate. Packages are particularly popular with fertility patients and those managing chronic conditions who benefit from consistent, regular treatment over three to six months.
- Integrated Mind-Body Package — 5 × Integrated Sessions (75 min) — $750 (save $75)
- 5-session follow-up package — enquire at reception
- 10-session follow-up package — enquire at reception
- Fertility couple packages — enquire at reception
- Packages are non-refundable but transferable
The Integrated Mind-Body Package includes Acupuncture + Herbal Medicine + Psychotherapy in each session — Dr Christine's signature approach. Contact our Lane Cove clinic for all package enquiries.
Payment Methods
- EFTPOS and credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
- Cash accepted
- HICAPS health fund claiming (see above)
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- No surcharges on card payments
Herbal Medicine Costs
Herbal medicine is dispensed separately from consultation fees. The cost depends on the formula prescribed, the form (granules, tablets, raw herbs) and the quantity. As a guide:
- Granule formulas: approximately $20–$45 per week
- Patent tablet formulas: approximately $15–$30 per week
- Costs vary based on formula complexity and dosage
- All herbs are TGA-registered from reputable suppliers
Cancellation Policy
We request a minimum of 24 hours notice for appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, or no-shows, may incur a cancellation fee of up to $55. We understand that genuine emergencies occur — please contact our Lane Cove clinic by phone at (02) 9427 5696 as early as possible if you need to cancel. Repeated late cancellations may affect future booking priority. Our Mon–Sun 9am–9pm phone and email availability makes it easy to reach us in time.
Questions
Pricing FAQs
This depends entirely on your fund and your policy level. Rebates for acupuncture typically range from $15 to $50+ per consultation, depending on your fund. To get an accurate figure, contact your health fund before your appointment and ask: "What is my annual limit for acupuncture, how many sessions remain, and what is my rebate per session?" Alternatively bring your card to our Lane Cove clinic and we can check at the desk before processing. Most patients with mid-level or top extras cover find their out-of-pocket for follow-up sessions is quite reasonable after rebates.
Yes. The initial consultation ($150 for 90 minutes) is longer and more comprehensive than a follow-up because it includes the full Four Pillars TCM diagnostic assessment — tongue and pulse reading, a detailed health and lifestyle history, your full menstrual or reproductive history if relevant, a review of any existing medical reports, and the development of your personalised treatment plan. The first acupuncture treatment is also included within this session. Follow-up sessions ($110 for 60 minutes) build on this foundation with updated assessment and ongoing treatment.
No. AHPRA-registered acupuncturists are recognised allied health providers and you do not need a GP referral to access your private health extras for acupuncture. Simply book directly with our Lane Cove clinic and bring your health fund card for HICAPS on-the-spot claiming. Note that this is different from Medicare — acupuncture is not covered under standard Medicare (except through some specific Chronic Disease Management Plans arranged by your GP).
Some Chronic Disease Management Plans arranged by GPs through Medicare do include acupuncture as an allied health service. If your GP has prepared a CDMP (previously called Enhanced Primary Care plan) that includes acupuncture, up to five Medicare-rebatable sessions per calendar year may be available. Please bring your referral letter and confirm with your GP whether our clinic is eligible as a provider under your plan. Contact us at (02) 9427 5696 to discuss.
We request 24 hours notice for cancellations. Late cancellations (under 24 hours) or no-shows may incur a fee of up to $55 as this time cannot be offered to other waiting patients. We are flexible for genuine emergencies — please call us at (02) 9427 5696 as soon as you know you cannot attend. Our phone is staffed Monday through Sunday 9am–9pm. Repeated late cancellations may affect future booking priority, particularly during busy periods.
The Integrated Wellbeing Session is Dr Christine Shen's signature approach. You are settled comfortably onto the treatment bed and acupuncture needles are placed according to your current presenting pattern. Once the needles are in and you are relaxed, Christine begins a gentle, open conversation — covering whatever is most present for you that day. This might be physical symptoms, emotional states, how relationships are feeling, work pressures, life transitions, or simply what has been on your mind. There is no agenda imposed; the conversation follows what is most alive for you. Your Chinese herbal prescription is reviewed and adjusted as part of the same session. The three modalities — acupuncture, herbal medicine and holistic psychotherapy — do not happen one after another; they are woven together simultaneously, each informing the other, while you rest in a calm and fully supported state throughout. Most patients describe this as the most deeply restorative experience they have in their week.
Book Your Consultation at Lane Cove
Same-week appointments available for Lane Cove, Artarmon, Chatswood and all North Shore patients. Mon–Sun 9am–9pm.
Call: (02) 9427 5696 | Mon–Sun 9am–9pm
