Amendment To Billing Policy
Transitioning to Mixed Billing from 30 Jan 2023
Our Billing Policy has changed - Last updated on 29 Jul 2023
Our Billing Policy Explained
At NewHealth Medical Centre, we pride ourselves on providing the highest possible standard of health care to our community. To achieve this in today’s environment, it’s not possible to bulk bill everyone. That’s why our billing is changing to Private Billing (also called Mixed Billing) from 30 Jan 2023, meaning a consultation fee will be charged in most cases.
You will be asked to pay the full fee on the day of your consultation. However, using your Eftpos card and our Tyro payment system, you will receive your Medicare refund at the time of payment via direct credit into your bank account
The out-of-pocket fee $40 will be introduced from Mon to Sat.
Private Billing
GP Fees & Payments from 30 Jan 2023
All GP consultations being Time/Complexity based will attract a fee to be paid in full at the time of consultation by credit card (no AMEX), EFTPOS or cash. Patients with valid Medicare card can get Medicare rebate.
Some services are not bulk billed or you might not be eligible for a Medicare rebate, including: WorkCover injuries, medical examinations for insurance, medical records transfer, medical reports and procedures including implanon insertion/removal and health assessments for employment, and commercial driving.
Claiming Medicare Rebate:
We can help claiming your Medicare rebate on the day and on-the-spot, saving you time.
Our practice is equipped with TYRO and Medicare On-Line facilities which allow our clinic to directly lodge your claim to Medicare for eligible rebates (refunds).
Your rebate might be paid on-spot (if you have EFTPOS card) or deposited into your nominated bank account by Medicare within 48 hours (if your Medicare card is linked with a bank account).
If you have not registered your bank account with Medicare please do so online at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare
If you have not received your Medicare rebate into your registered bank account within 48 hours please call Medicare on 132 011.
For any technical issues, if the on-spot claiming fails, you can claim your Medicare rebate online or from Medicare offices.
Bulk Billing still available:
We are aware that there may be times in life when health and expenses become a challenge. It’s important that patients are still able to access quality health care at those times, so we offer Medicare bulk billing in some circumstances to a range of patients with presentation of a valid card from Monday to Friday. Bulk billing is available on weekdays ONLY for people who have a valid Medicare card and are:
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Pension Card Holders
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DVA Card Holders
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Children under 16 years
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Health Care Card Holders
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NDIS clients
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Attending Covid-19 and Flu Vaccination
Minor Surgery is privately billed:
Procedures include skin cancer management, removal of skin lesions, biopsies, suturing of cuts and lacerations, and the lancing of abscesses, boils and carbuncles. Fees for these procedures vary so please discuss and confirm the fees payable for your procedure with your doctor during your initial consultation.
New Patients:
Your initial consultation might be booked and privately billed as a complex(long) consultation (Item 36) – please note we are a private billing practice.
Missing Appointments and Cancellation Fees:
All patients who miss their appointment and do not cancel at least 24 hours before their appointment might be charged a missed appointment fee of $40.00 (GST inclusive) payable upon requesting another appointment. This fee is not claimable through Medicare.
Payment On the Day:
Payment is required on the day of your appointment by EFTPOS, credit card and cash only. Cash payment is not preferred due to Covid 19.
We are here to help:
If you want to talk to someone about our billing policy, fees, Medicare rebates and bulk billing, please call our reception team on 02 8055 0000. Weare here to help finding the best solution for you.
A summary of fee structure is provided. For further details please ask our reception staff.