Announcement: New Billing Policy
To Our Valued Patients,
We would like to advise that Main Street Medical is transitioning to mixed billing on Friday 1st July 2022.
Unfortunately, rising costs of staff wages, medical supplies, insurance, and utilities, coupled with the fact that the Government has only increased the standard consultation fee by $4 over the last 9 years, it is financially no longer possible to continue to provide high-quality medical service whilst bulk billing all of our patients.
Out-of-pocket fees of $35 for standard consult, and $50 for a long consult will now apply, except for the following patient groups who will continue to be bulk billed:
- Children under 16 years of age
- Pension Card / DVA Card Holders
- Patients over 65 years of age
- Health Care Card / Concession Card Holders
- Telephone consultations (at Doctor’s discretion)
- Care plans, health assessments
- Government-funded immunisations
We have kept the fee as low as possible and patients will be required to pay for their consultation, in full, on the day of their appointment. Your Medicare rebate will be processed during payment and will be back in your account within 24 hours.
We pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of patient care, with minimal waiting times, and with the doctor of your choice. We know that you will have many questions, so we have tried our best to answer below:
1. WHAT IS BULK BILLING?
Bulk billing means that the doctor is paid directly by the Government. The Government sets the price paid to the GP for each consultation.
2. DO WE BULK BILL?
Yes, see the list above.
3. WHY DON’T WE BULK BILL EVERYTHING?
The Government put a freeze on GP fees for many years. The bulk billing fees are not keeping up with inflation and the rising costs of staff wages, medical supplies, insurance and utilities etc.
The Government adds an extra payment to GP’s for seeing cardholders, children and pensioners, so the GP’s income is higher for these patient groups but is lower for all other patients.
We want to attract and keep the very best specialist General Practitioners and maintain a very high quality service. We have been advertising for more GP’s for 2 years, without success, because GP’s want to work in a mixed billing or private billing practice. We value our doctors, and think they are worth more than the Government’s fee.
The team at Main Street Medical would like to thank you for your understanding and look forward to offering you our excellent medical care for many years to come.
FEES
Fees are payable at the time of consultation by cash, credit card or EFTPOS. Accounts are unfortunately not able to be given. Our practice is equipped with TYRO and Medicare Online. These facilities allow the surgery to directly lodge your receipt for Medicare refunds, saving time for patients. Please ask receptionists for any information regarding these rebate options, as well as private fees.
FEE STRUCTURE FROM 1st JULY 2022
CONSULT FEE + MEDICARE REBATE = TOTAL FEE PAYABLE ON DAY
| CONSULTATION LENGTH | CONSULT FEE+ | MEDICARE REBATE = | TOTAL FEE PAYABLE ON DAY |
| Standard (item 23) | $35.00 | $39.75 | $74.75 |
| Long (item 36) | $50.00 | $76.95 | $126.95 |
| Extended (item 44) | $60.00 | $113.30 | $173.30 |
Pension cardholders, DVA cardholders, Health Care cardholders, Concession cardholders, children under 16 years, patients over 65 years, health assessments, care plans and phone consultations are BULK BILLED.
A cancellation fee may apply if you fail to turn up to your appointment or you cancel your appointment within 2 hours of appointment booking time.
Main Street Medical’s decision to transition to a mixed billing model reflects an effort to sustain high-quality medical services in the face of rising operational costs and insufficient government funding increases. By introducing out-of-pocket fees for standard and long consultations while continuing to bulk bill vulnerable groups such as children, pensioners, and those holding concession cards, the practice aims to balance financial viability with patient accessibility.
This approach allows them to maintain a skilled team of General Practitioners committed to delivering exceptional care. The mixed billing model not only supports the clinic’s continued operation but also ensures that essential medical services remain available to those who need them most.