Patient Information – Para Hills

BILLING POLICY

We operate as a Mixed Billing practice, incorporating both Bulk and Private Billing, on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm. Private Billing is applicable after 6 pm on weekdays, throughout the day on weekends, and on public holidays.

• Mixed Billing: Patients with valid Medicare cards, children under 16 years of age, DVA Gold cardholders, Health Care cardholders, Pension cardholders, and Senior cardholders (Red) will not incur the gap fee of $30-$40 for standard and long consultations during weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm.
• Private Billing: All patients must settle their accounts in full (Medicare rebate plus $30.00 for standard consultation and $40.00 for long consultation) on the day of consultation. Facilities are available to promptly return the Medicare rebate to your bank account if you present in person.
• Bulk Billing: Applicable to patients holding valid Medicare cards, children under 16 years of age, DVA Gold cardholders, Health Care cardholders, Pension cardholders, and Senior cardholders (Red). During weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm, these patients will not be charged the gap of $30-$40 for face-to-face consultations.

We accept payments through VISA, Mastercard, and EFTPOS. Medicare rebates can typically be credited back to your account immediately if you have an EFTPOS card with a cheque or savings facility. Please bring a VISA, Mastercard, and EFTPOS card with a cheque or savings facility to facilitate the immediate return of your Medicare rebates. Private patients are not eligible for account/credit line services.

A nominal fee is applicable to all patients for minor surgical procedures, vaccinations, excisions, dressings, skin checks, etc. Please consult our reception team for details. Payment in full (Medicare rebate plus nominal fee) is required on the consultation day, with facilities available to return the Medicare rebate to your bank account immediately if you present in person.

For mental health consultations, mental health care plans, mental health plan reviews, and antenatal visits, all patients must pay a gap fee of $30-$40. Full payment (Medicare rebate plus $30.00 for standard consultation and $40.00 for long consultation) is due on the day of consultation, with facilities available for the immediate return of the Medicare rebate if you present in person.

TELEHEALTH

Telehealth services are subject to Mixed Billing every day, including weekends and public holidays. Patients with valid Medicare cards (children under 16 years of age, DVA Gold cardholders, Health Care cardholders, Pension cardholders, and Senior cardholders – Red) would not be charged the gap of $30-$40 if they had a face-to-face consultation in this medical centre within the last 12 months (as per Medicare requirements). Others are considered private patients and must pay in full (Medicare rebate if eligible plus a gap of $30.00) on the day of consultation. The time for Medicare rebates to your bank account depends on Medicare. Private insurance patients will receive an emailed invoice to submit to their insurer for a rebate.

Telehealth consultations with a Medicare card (Medicare rebate if eligible $41.40 plus gap $30) amount to $71.40. Telehealth consultations with private insurance (private insurance if eligible $41.40 plus gap $30) also amount to $71.40. Telehealth consultations for patients not eligible for Medicare rebate or without private insurance are charged at $60.

To be eligible for a Medicare rebate, patients must have had at least one face-to-face consultation in this medical centre within the last 12 months (a Medicare requirement, not our policy).

MIXED BILLING WEEKDAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 6:00 PM

Bulk billing is available for patients holding valid Medicare cards, children under 16 years of age, DVA Gold cardholders, Health Care cardholders, Pension cardholders, and Senior cardholders (Red) on weekdays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Private billing patients must pay the gap fee of $30 to $40 per visit:

• Standard Consult for Medicare Patients (Medicare rebate $41.40 plus gap $30) = $71.40
• Long Consult for Medicare patients (Medicare rebate $80.10 plus gap $40) = $120.10
• Standard Consult for Patients without Medicare = $71.40
• Long Consult for Patients without Medicare = $120.10

PRIVATE BILLING ON WEEKDAYS AFTER 6:00 PM

• Standard Consult for Medicare Patients (Medicare rebate $41.40 plus gap $30) = $71.40
• Long Consult for Medicare patients (Medicare rebate $80.10 plus gap $40) = $120.10
• Standard Consult for Patients without Medicare = $71.40
• Long Consult for Patients without Medicare = $120.10

PRIVATE BILLING ON SATURDAY FROM 8:00 AM TO 1:00 PM

• Standard Consult for Medicare Patients (Medicare rebate $41.40 plus gap $30) = $71.40
• Long Consult for Medicare patients (Medicare rebate $80.10 plus gap $40) = $120.10
• Standard Consult for Patients without Medicare = $71.40
• Long Consult for Patients without Medicare = $120.10

PRIVATE BILLING ON SATURDAY FROM 1:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

• Standard Consult for Medicare Patients (Medicare rebate $53.90 plus gap $30) = $83.90
• Long Consult for Medicare patients (Medicare rebate $92.45 plus gap $40) = $132.45
• Standard Consult for Patients without Medicare = $83.90
• Long Consult for Patients without Medicare = $132.45

PRIVATE BILLING ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 

• Standard Consult for Medicare Patients (Medicare rebate $53.90 plus gap $30) = $83.90
• Long Consult for Medicare patients (Medicare rebate $92.45 plus gap $40) = $132.45
• Standard Consult for Patients without Medicare = $83.90
• Long Consult for Patients without Medicare = $132.45

CANCELLATION FEES

Please provide 6 hours’ notice when canceling an appointment. Failure to do so or failure to attend an appointment will result in a $40 charge being added to your account, payable at your next appointment. This policy applies to both doctor and allied health appointments.

OVERSEAS VISITORS

We are in partnership with Bupa. Patients with a valid Bupa card only need to pay the gap between $30-$40 per visit, and the consultation fee will be directly debited from the Bupa insurer. Other overseas visitors will be expected to pay the fee in full after the consultation. Please ensure you bring your valid membership card.

ALLIED HEALTH

Allied Health accepts referrals from other medical centres, private health extras, Work Cover, insurance claims, as well as private payments. Referrals to Allied Health by our doctor under a GP Management Plan or Mental Health Care Plan have no out-of-pocket expenses. Please consult our doctor to determine your eligibility.

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES

In matters of extreme urgency, please dial 000 for immediate ambulance attendance or proceed to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. If you require an after-hours visit to your home, please contact our after-hours locum service on 13 7425