Mixed billing means some patients are bulk billed and others pay a gap after the Medicare rebate. At East Hills Medical Centre, children aged 18 and under, pensioners, Health Care Card and other concession card holders, DVA Gold Card holders and White Card holders for accepted conditions are bulk billed on weekdays, along with care plans, mental health treatment plans and health assessments for patients aged 75 and over. Everyone else pays the full fee at the appointment and Medicare pays the rebate into their bank account, usually within 48 hours; the difference is the gap, which is $33 for any consultation length during normal hours and $43 after hours. Sunday consultations are privately billed for all patients, and care plans and DVA appointments are not available on Sundays. Procedures such as iron infusions, lesion removal and suturing are privately billed for everyone, with fees published on the fees page.
Why mixed billing
The Medicare rebate for a standard consultation has not kept pace with the cost of running an accredited practice with nurses, a treatment room and longer appointments. Mixed billing keeps care free for those who need it most, children, pensioners, concession and DVA card holders, while a modest gap from other patients funds the time doctors spend with everyone.
How the gap works
You pay the full fee by card at the appointment. The practice sends the claim to Medicare electronically and the rebate lands in the bank account registered with Medicare, usually within two days. The gap is the same $33 whether the consultation is short, standard, long or complex, so a longer appointment does not cost you more out of pocket during normal hours. Keep your bank details current with Medicare through myGov.
Worked examples
- Standard weekday consultation: fee $78.05, rebate $45.05, you pay $33.00
- Long weekday consultation: fee $120.10, rebate $87.10, you pay $33.00
- Standard Sunday consultation: fee $101.65, rebate $58.65, you pay $43.00
- Iron infusion: fee $217, rebate $87.10, you pay $129.90
Things not covered by Medicare
Pre-employment medicals, driver's licence medicals, insurance reports and medical record preparation have no Medicare rebate and are quoted in advance. Transfer of your full records to another practice carries a $60 administrative fee.
Overseas visitors and students
Patients without Medicare pay the full fee and can claim from their travel or overseas student health insurer with the receipt provided.
This guide is general information and does not replace a consultation. Fees and processes are the practice's own and are current at the published date.