BILLING POLICY

Fees & Charges
-This is a Private Billing Surgery.

Aged Pensioners
Bulk-billed Monday to Friday.

All Children under 16
Bulk-billed Monday to Friday.

Healthcare Card holders
$10 Discount Monday to Friday.

Veteran Goldcard holders
Bulk-billed 7 days a week.

All other patients
Our Standard fees apply to all other patients from Monday to Saturday.

Healthcare Card holders and Pension Card holders are required to present their current cards to qualify for a discount. We can not accept expired Healthcare Cards or Pension Cards.

ALL WORKER’S COMPENSATION and MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE RELATED SERVICES REQUIRE UPFRONT PAYMENT from ALL PATIENTS.

Cancellation fee = $20 (if NOT cancel within 12 hours)

If you have financial problems and difficulties paying please ask to see our practice manager.

Why do I have to pay a GAP?
To meet rising costs of running a modern doctor surgery, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has calculated a fair and reasonable costing model as above. Your Medicare (i.e. Free Government Health Insurance for all Australians) does not pay YOU the full amount as recommended by the AMA, hence there is a “GAP” or a difference between what is being paid to you by Medicare and the TRUE cost of providing you with expert & quality medical services. It is your responsibility to pay this “GAP” when there is one.

Like most GP practices, Bedford Family Practice has adopted to subsidize your true cost by charging you less then the recommended AMA fee.

Payment Methods
For your convenience, we accept Cash, Visa or Mastercard and EFTPOS. Administrative charges will be levied on overdue accounts.

Payment Options

1 – Pay the FULL amount on the day and claim back your Medicare rebate (this is the cheaper option).

2 – Pay the GAP only - We only offer this option for your convenience however it requires you to promptly mail us the cheque once you’ve received it from Medicare. You will pay more out of pocket money & there is NO discount for this option to cover additional administrative cost.

Services NOT Covered by Medicare
Private fee will apply to:
- Employment Medicals
- Fitness to Drive Medicals (except for Aged or Medical condition)
- All Insurance Reports
- Cosmetic Procedures
- Telephone Consultations
- Letters of advice by GPs
- Issue of Death Certificate (except when doctor present to certify death)
- Cremation Certificate
- Group Attendances – group counselling, health education, weight reduction or fitness classes
- Repeat Scripts when patient NOT present
- Health Screening Services: testing fitness to undergo physical training programs; vocational activities or weight reduction programs, examination and tests to obtain a flying, commercial diving, or other license, entrance to schools and other educational facilities, for travel requirements and for the purposes of legal proceedings.
- Routine check-up with an extensive battery of diagnostic investigations are NOT Medicare relatable.

Please refer to MEDICARE AUSTRALIA if you have queries about these laws –Medicare

We Accept: