Mixed Billing

Dear Valued Patients,

I write to inform you of important changes to our billing policy at Christine Cnr Medical Centre. After long, careful consideration we have made the decision to introduce mixed billing to our practice.

Information included below:

  1. What is mixed-billing?
  2. When will bulk-billing still apply?
  3. How will the fee be processed?
  4. How will I know the cost of my appointment before I come in?
  5. Reasons for the change in policy
  6. List of most common fees

 

  1. What is mixed-billing?

Mixed-billing means that most patients will now pay a ‘gap payment’ for appointments. A gap payment is an out-of-pocket cost that is the difference between the practice’s private fee and your Medicare rebate.

However, some patients will continue to be bulk-billed or will be eligible for a concession fee.

  1. When will bulk-billing still apply?

Access to healthcare is very important to us. Therefore, certain patients will continue to be bulk-billed.

Children under the age of 16 years will still be Bulk Billed.

DVA patients will still be Bulk Billed.

Chronic Disease Care Plans, Mental Health Care Plans and Covid Vaccines will continue to be Bulk Billed

Flu Vaccine appointments will be Bulk Billed, vaccine itself will incur a fee for those patients that are not eligible for government vaccine program.

  1. How will the fee be processed?

You will be charged the full consultation fee to your credit or debit card at the end of your appointment. We can then electronically process your Medicare rebate on your behalf. The rebate should appear in your bank account within 1-2 business days. We recommend that you ensure your bank details are up to date on my.gov.au to avoid any delays in receiving your rebate. Patients who are not bulk-billed or concession card holders should expect an out-of-pocket fee of approximately $10 to $50 gap on top of the Medicare rebate for consultation.

  1. How will I know the cost of my appointment before I come in?

Our reception staff will always try to give you the most accurate advice possible about the costs of your appointment ahead of time. However, please keep in mind that the reception staff will only be able to offer you advice based on the information you provide and that your type of consultation may vary in your appointment.

Key indicators that will change the cost of your appointment include the length (time) of your appointment, how many issues you discuss with the doctor, and whether there is a procedure involved in your appointment. We have tried our best to keep the gap payment as consistent as possible across all appointment types so that patients do not experience too much variation.

  1. Reasons for the change in policy:

We are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of healthcare we provide; recently cost of consumables, running & maintaining day to day Practice cost has gone up and in order to protect the sustainability of this practice we feel we need to make this change to be able to attract new doctors to the clinic.

We cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support of our practice – in the past and into the future – as we make this transition.

Kind regards,

Management, Doctors, and Staff

Christine Cnr Medical Centre

GENERAL CONSULTS

                                                                                   Practice fee       Rebate             Gap

Standard Consultation (Up to 20min)          $52.00               $41.40          $10.60

Initial Consultation (Up to 20min)                $62.00               $41.40          $20.60

Cervical Screening (Pap Smear)                      $62.00              $41.40          $20.60

ALL NEW PATIENTS Yearly Registration Fee of $10 (Out of Pocket – No Rebate)

ALL CURRENT PATIENTS Yearly Registration Fee of $10 (Out of Pocket – No Rebate)

Pre-employment/Medical Assessments – time base      $185-$255 (May not be eligible for rebate.)

Commercial Driving (current patient ONLY)                   $120.00

Dressing                                                                                          $20.00 – $50.00

ECG                                                                                                   $25.00

Pregnancy Test                                                                             $15.00

Ear Syringing                                                                                $30.00

 

                         MINOR PROCEDURES AND SURGICAL TREATMENTS

Biopsy TREATMENT ROOM FEE $30, NO – REBATE  (excluding any consultation fee)

 

Excisions & Other Surgical Procedures TREATMENT ROOM FEE $50 NO – REBATE  (excluding any consultation fee)

 

ALL KIDS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE & DVA GOLD CARD WILL STILL BE FULLY BULK BILLED

 

CARE PLANS, MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLANS, 75YRS HEALTH CHECK, 45-49YRS HEALTH CHECK, HEART HEALTH ASSESSMENT.

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PATIENTS WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HEALTH ASSESMENTS AND CARE PLANS.

 ALL NEW PATIENTS ARE CHARGED $10 NEW PATIENT FEE AND A CONSULT FEE OF $83.65 ON THEIR INITIAL VISIT

 

CHILDREN 16 YEARS AND UNDER AND CONCESSION CARD HOLDERS ARE BULK BILLED ON SATURDAY.

ALL OTHER PATIENTS INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL AND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PATIENTS WILL BE CHARGED A $30 GAP.  

PATIENT’S WITH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE WILL BE CHARGED A $30 GAP.

WEEKEND GENERAL CONSULTS

                                                                                           Practice fee       Rebate             Gap

Standard Consultation (Up to 20 mins)               $84.00             $53.90             $30.10

Long Consultation (20-30 mins)                             $123.00           $92.90            $30.10

Extended Consultation (40 mins or longer)       $160.00           $129.90          $30.10

 

ALL NEW PATIENTS Yearly Registration Fee of $10 (Out of Pocket – No Rebate)

ALL CURRENT PATIENTS Yearly Registration Fee of $10 (Out of Pocket – No Rebate)

 

NO CARE PLANS, MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLANS, 75YRS HEALTH CHECK, 45-49YRS HEALTH CHECK, HEART HEALTH ASSESSMENT ARE DONE ON THE WEEKEND.

From the 1st of August 2023 we will be charging a gap fee from $10 -$50 out of pocket 

We now accept HICAPS Participating Health Funds & Health Insurance Brands

GENERAL CONSULTS

                                                                                   Practice fee       Covered by Insurance             Gap

Standard Consultation (Up to 20min)          $51.20                      $41.20                                  $10.00

Initial Consultation (Up to 20min)                $61.20                      $41.20                                  $20.00

Treatment Room Fees may vary depending on the extent of the treatment 

For more information please contact us on 07 5609 6643

ALL KIDS UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE WILL STILL BE FULLY BULK BILLED

DVA CARD HOLDERS WILL STILL BE FULLY BULK BILLED

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PATIENTS WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HEALTH ASSESMENTS AND CARE PLANS.

 

OTHER BULK BILLED SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • CARE PLANS
  • MENTAL HEALTH CARE PLANS
  • 75YRS HEALTH CHECK
  • 45-49YRS HEALTH CHECK
  • HEART HEALTH ASSESSMENT

We accept:

  • EFTPOS
  • VISA
  • Mastercard
  • Apple Pay
  • Cash

Unfortunately we do not accept American Express, we apologise any inconvenience.