About our billing policy
We are a private billing medical centre. Our fees are based on the AMA rates and determined by complexity and time. We bulk bill veteran affairs gold card holders for routine consultations, veteran affairs white card holders for their DVA-approved medical conditions, and all childhood immunisations on the government schedule.
Please note that it is not our reception staff who dictate the fee you pay. If you are experiencing financial hardship or have a question about a bill you have received, any action taken will be determined by your doctor on a visit by visit basis.
We DO NOT offer universal bulk billing.
When a doctor elects to bulk bill your consultation, the practice receives your patient rebate from Medicare. In July 2022 the Medicare rebate increased by 1.6%.
For a standard consultation of between 5 and 20 minutes, the patient rebate is $42.10. If the consultation is bulk billed the Practice gets the $42.10 and the doctor gets a percentage of between 50-70%. So when you have one of your quality consultations from our doctors, they may be earning as little as $20 for their time and expertise. This is not sustainable in the long term.
We still want to extend our care and practice to all people who might be struggling financially. We also want to have more and more people consider our practice as their “Medical Home”.
- Administration of Childhood and Adult immunisations on the Public Health Immunisation Schedule continue to be free
- Patients who are eligible for DVA remain unchanged.
- Our nurses fees remain unchanged.
- Doctors retain the discretion to bulk bill where necessary and we encourage patients and doctors to discuss this issue together
Costs for procedures such as women’s health items or removal of skin lesions WILL NOT as a general rule be ‘bulk billed’. This is to help cover the cost of consumables such as:
- Dressing pack and solution;
- Equipment used;
- Local anaesthetic;
- Suture material;
- Dressing materials (take-home dressings/ointments)
- Cleaning and sterilizing; and
- Wound review if required.
It will also help cover the cost of the nurse.
The fee list for individual procedures will be discussed with patients by their doctors.
Please inform reception when making an appointment if you require a longer consultation. All consumables, dressings, plasters and medication supplied from this Practice will incur a fee. The nurse will advise on the fee. Your Medicare Rebate can be paid directly into your Bank Account. Please ask the receptionist for details.
We request payment at the time of the consultation. Please have your card available at each visit.
Please note that the administration of childhood immunisations on the public health immunisation schedule will NOT incur an additional charge.
Please feel free to make inquiries regarding fee structure to our reception or nursing staff.
Fees
| Fee | Rebate | Out-of-pocket expense | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brief Consultation <5min | $55 | $18.85 | $36.15 |
| Standard Consultation 5-20min | $95 | $42.10 | $52.90 |
| Initial or long consultation 20-40min | $155 | $79.70 | $75.30 |
| Extended consultation >40min | $230 | $117.40 | $112.60 |
** Phone consultations are billed the same as a face-to-face appointment.
*** Saturday consultations incur an additional $5 charge
Non-Attendance Fees/Policy
We understand that unplanned issues can arise and you may need to cancel or change an appointment. Should this occur, we kindly ask that you provide at least 2 hours notice on the day of your appointment. We can then offer that time to another patient. To cancel or change your appointment please call reception on 62381417.
Patients not attending or cancelling their appointment less than 2 hours before their scheduled appointment time may be charged a non-attendance fee. We know that sometimes emergencies or unforeseen circumstances occur and you are unable contact us. Please talk to our friendly reception
staff as soon as possible.
The non-attendance fee is $50.
Please note: no subsequent appointments will be booked until the non-attendance fee is settled.
Patients who repeatedly miss, change, or cancel their appointments without providing adequate notice, will only be able to make appointments by ringing reception on 62381417.
If you are running late, please call 62381417 and speak to our reception staff to see whether it is possible to fit you in or to arrange another time. Staff will do their best to help you and accommodate your needs. Being late may be unfair to other patients who will then have to wait.
We ask for your cooperation with our non-attendance policy to help us improve our service to our patients and community. When a patient does not attend a scheduled appointment, other patients lose the opportunity to be seen.
Payment Methods
Accepted payment methods include: Mastercard, Visa, Cash, Cheque and Bank Transfer. If paying by Direct Debit bank details are:
- Dr M Cross
- BSB: 032724
- A/C: 291030
Please ensure you add the invoice number or your name to the payment so we can identify you. Please email practice.manager@bungendoremedicalcentre.com.au if you have paid by Direct Debit so that your account can be receipted.