You may have seen news about recent Medicare bulk billing changes, including higher incentives for doctors to bulk bill some patients.
At The Pines Medical Practice, we have carefully reviewed these changes.
After considering the ongoing costs of providing high-quality general practice care, we will not be changing our current billing policy at this time.
However, we will continue to bulk bill:
- Aged Pension card holders (with a valid Pensioner Concession Card)
All other patients remain privately billed in line with our existing mixed billing policy.
Why aren’t we switching to full bulk billing?
While Medicare has increased some bulk billing incentives, the Medicare rebate still does not cover the full cost of providing a comprehensive GP service.
To maintain:
- Adequate appointment times
- Access to experienced doctors, nurses and admin staff
- Safe, modern facilities and equipment
…we need to charge a gap fee for most appointments.
We understand cost of living pressures are real for many patients. We balance this with the reality that, without sustainable fees, it becomes harder to keep providing the level of care and access our community relies on.
Who is bulk billed?
We continue to bulk bill:
- Aged Pension card holders (valid Pensioner Concession Card)
Please bring your Medicare card and Pensioner Concession Card to every appointment so we can apply the correct billing.
Private fees & rebates
For all other patients, our practice operates as a mixed billing clinic.
- You pay a private fee on the day of your appointment
- We can process your Medicare rebate electronically, so it’s returned to your bank account (usually within 1–2 business days)
For detailed information about our current fees, please speak with reception or ask your doctor at your next visit.
If you’re unsure
If you’re not sure how the changes affect you, or if you are experiencing financial difficulty, please speak with our reception team before your appointment. In some circumstances your doctor may discuss options with you.
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