Practice Fee Policy
PRACTICE FEE POLICY
The Specialist GPs practicing at Your Family Practice have decided to introduce a Mixed Billing service effective September, 2022. Details are available at Reception, on notice boards in our practice and on our Website.
Consultations must be paid for on the day of consultation – cash and EFTPOS services are available. The Medicare rebate will be claimed at the same time so that the MBS fee will be reimbursed into the Patient’s bank account. Patients must have bank details registered with Medicare to receive the rebate (Service NSW).
Current Medicare and Concession cards need to be registered with the practice, if no cards registered, full payment will be required at the time of consultation.
Concession cardholders gap payment will be at a reduced rate.
A Failure to Attend charge will be charged to the patient if they do not attend their consultation. No further medical appointments will be made until this charge has been paid.
Workers Compensation accounts will be required to be paid on the day of consultation until we have received confirmation of the accepting insurance company claim details.
When booking an appointment – Staff will remind patients that our Specialist GP’s have commenced mixed billing in September, 2022 and charges are payable at the time of consultation.
Patient Questions:
Do I have to pay to see the GP from now on? Yes, please refer to our Payment Fee Policy for details.
I Can’t afford that – can I be bulk billed? You need to discuss with your normal treating GP.
Unscheduled Emergency Drop ins? There is a charge for these services as we are not a hospital nor emergency department. We highly recommend that you telephone the Practice before attending to make an appointment or to get medical advice via triaging.
Chronic Health Conditions – Care plans, Health Assessments, Asthma and Diabetic Reviews, GP Mental Health Plans – The consultations for the preparation of the above plans and reviews, will be bulk-billed by the Specialist GP’s in our practice.
How long will Medicare take to reimburse by MBS fee? Our systems are meant to be same day refunds, but please allow for next day processing by Medicare – this is beyond our control.
Why is there a $50 Equipment cost for Excisions? – The cost of consumables has been going up and the Practice can no longer continue to absorb these costs, including instruments, medications, dressings and general consumables used specifically in each and every procedure.
Full Skin Checks/Iron Infusion/Venesection/Hormone Implant – In/Out/In and Out – Specialised Appointment – The Specialist GP will only perform these consultations, no scripts or referrals for other conditions will be issued. The gap costs incurred reimburse the practice for medical equipment and medication.
Dressing Packs – A cost of $10.00 for each dressing is now payable at the time of consultation. This is a non-Medicare funded charge to cover the consumable medications and dressing provided.
Administration Charge for completion of Forms by Nurses – This is to recoup costs for assisting in forms which Medicare does not normally pay for.
Commercial Driver’s Licence – Charge $120.00 – not covered by Medicare MBS reimbursement.
Fitness to Drive Assessments – It is now a policy of this practice that patients over the age of 75 MUST have an annual Health Assessment to provide information to the doctor for completing your annual Fitness to Drive Assessment. The Health Assessment will be bulk billed, however there is a consultation charge for completing the Fitness to Drive Assessment.
Comment:
SPECIALIST – GENERAL PRACTICE – CONSULTATION CHARGES
| Consultation | Pensioners/Concession Card Holders | Privately Billed | Medicare Rebate | Failed To Attend Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short - Level B | $59.75 | $69.75 | $39.75 | $50.00 – no rebate |
| Medium - Level C | $96.95 | $106.95 | $76.95 | $75.00 – no rebate |
| Prolonged – Level D | $143.30 | $143.30 | $113.30 | $75.00 – no rebate |
| Consultation | Privately Billed | Medicare Rebate | Failed To Attend Appointment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venesection | $155.30 | $105.30 | $50.00 – no rebate |
| Full Skin Check | $126.95 | $76.95 | $75.00 - no rebate |
| Iron Infusion | $200.00 | $39.75 | $75.00 - no rebate |
| Commercial Driver’s Licence | $120.00 | $75.00 - no rebate | |
| Excision – Equipment | $50.00 plus Histology fee | $75.00 - no rebate | |
| Dressing Packs | From $10.00 | ||
| Emergencies – Walk in | MBS + $75.00 | MBS | |
| Forms with Nurse | Time-based fee | ||
| Hormone Implant - In | $130.45 | $80.45 | $75.00 - no rebate |
| Hormone Implant – Out | $144.35 | $94.35 | $75.00 - no rebate |
| Hormone Implant – In/Out | $225.05 | $135.05 | $75.00 - no rebate |
SPECIALIST – GENERAL PRACTICE – CONSULTATION CHARGES
Payments
Consultation Privately billed – MUST BE paid on the day – cash and EFTPOS services available; Medicare rebate applied for, at time of payment – Patient must have their bank details registered with Medicare to receive rebate.
Concession cards – need to be recorded in Patient’s Medical File BEFORE consultation – otherwise full private billing fees apply.
No Medicare Cards – privately billed.
Workers Compensation – new claim – payment at time of consultation by employer or patient until YFP receive acceptable details of claim by employer’s insurance company.
No future appointments will be made if “failed to attend appointments fees” are not paid for.
Chronic Health Conditions Care Plans If completed quarterly, and booked ahead for next review Bulk Billed
Health Assessments/SIPS – Asthma & Diabetes/GP Mental Health Plans Bulk Billed
S8 Medications Can be processed quarterly if privately billed and agreed to by normal treating GP
Our Specialist GP may occasionally offer you a discounted fee, for example if you have to attend frequently for the same medical problem
– these could be bulk billed. However, these consultations are for 1 item only and should be treated as a one off and not be deemed to be a “norm” or expected.
