"Knee surgery"

I applied for PATS to attend Perth for an Orthopaedic appointment  for a consultation to schedual forthcoming knee treatment that requires face to  face physical assessment.. 

I was referred by my GP and at no time I was told there was a visiting Orthopaedic surgeon in Broome. I was denied my claim ( 5 days prior to my flight) with the explanation that Broome has a visiting Orthopaedic surgeon. However I understand my symptoms require prompt intervention, not waiting for a visiting surgeon and potentially months to be seen ( hence my prompt referrral and appointment date). Secondly, I believe that health care is about clients having choices.

I was very disappointed and quite shocked as :

.. my claim is genuine (MRI and Xray evidence)

.. I require prompt consultation and treatment ( bone on bone ). My understanding is specialists services only visits 4 to 5 times a year.

.. I have taken a load off the public system using my private health insurance.

And lastly, but not least, I believe everyone has the right to choose their own surgeon. 

An email 5 days prior to my flight explaining I will not be financially compensated is unacceptable in my opinion. 

We live in a remote part of Australia and I think PATS is a very successful system, designed to assist with financial support and access to health providers. As far as I know, Broome does not perform knee replacement surgery.

However in this case I am very disappointed and feel unsupported.