Thread: No longer Bulk-Billing Doctor

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

Apparently, as I found out today, the Medical Practice I have been attending for years no longer offers Bulk Billing.

I had to pay $66 for a consultation today. I was not given any paperwork.

Should I have been given something to take to Medicare to claim a partial refund?

Also should I have been asked about setting up an online system via EFTPOS ?

I reckon I received very poor service today. You know the feeling that there is something missing in the procedure and it did not feel right. I did not know what questions to ask as I was taken by surprise.

I might be looking for a new doctor - one that Bulk Bills.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel. they should have given you at the very least a receipt/tax invoice. I process medicare refunds:
1- directly to peoples efpos cards ( savings or cheque accounts) Medicare doesn't allow us to process refunds to credit cards.
2- If my doctors clients do not have a efpos card I can use medicare online claiming which puts the medicare refund into there bank the next day.
3- Patients can use a MYGOV application to lodge a medicare refund claim. I think many people have difficulty using that

I have not had one person use the 3rd option ever as 1 or two work for every one. The only blocker i see some times is a invalid or expired medicare card which stops me helping get refunds.

Ring the practice manager and ask if the medicare refund has been processed for you and if not why not? I wonder if you met a poor reception person who did not know their job? My staff would have told you the refund amount and where it would be and when. They would have given you a receipt showing you that as well.


We bulk bill kids and pensioners. The bulk billing doctors see 3 times the number of people much faster than we do. They own very nice cars paid for by medicare directly


A good doc is worth sticking with. There are good private and bulk billing doctors of course. ( Some bad I note)

I would point out Many good GPs are not able to take more patients to enable them to take care of the ones we have. A bulk billing clinic always want more patients. Read that one carefuly as it has consequences many people are not aware of when you really need quality care. Changing to a great doctor when your in urgent need can be next to impossible in many places. A lady I know who moved to Ballarat took more than a year to find another Doctor and was driving back here a few times for a year.

The Medicare rebate you should get (assuming an Item 23) is $36.30.

$66 is a reasonably low cost private GP. I am $75 for a item 23.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

Apparently, as I found out today, the Medical Practice I have been attending for years no longer offers Bulk Billing.

I had to pay $66 for a consultation today. I was not given any paperwork.

Should I have been given something to take to Medicare to claim a partial refund?

Also should I have been asked about setting up an online system via EFTPOS ?

I reckon I received very poor service today. You know the feeling that there is something missing in the procedure and it did not feel right. I did not know what questions to ask as I was taken by surprise.

I might be looking for a new doctor - one that Bulk Bills.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hi Lionel,

$60 will be the gap. I'm betting they are sending the claim through medicare on your behalf, so you only need to pay the gap and not chase medicare yourself (otherwise the fee would be much more, then you would need to front up to medicare to get your refund).

Just give them a ring maybe and check.

I work in pathology healthcare. Bulk billing only areas of medicine will depend on very high volumes to survive without needing to pay a gap. So if your doctor is worth the money and spends some time with you .........................

seeya
Shane L.

Hello NavyDiver,

Thank you for a very informative reply. I rang the practice and they will provide a receipt if I do not get reimbursed in a day or two via my bank account. After a couple of days I can go back and they will print out a statement.

Kind regards
Lionel

Hello Shane,

Thank you for your reply as well. Much appreciated.

Kind regards
Lionel

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello All,

I had to pay $66 for a consultation today. I was not given any paperwork.

That's an OK fee. No such thing as bulk billing here....never has been.....$88 for a consult.

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello NavyDiver,

Thank you for a very informative reply. I rang the practice and they will provide a receipt if I do not get reimbursed in a day or two via my bank account. After a couple of days I can go back and they will print out a statement.

Kind regards
Lionel

Next time you see them provide feed back. Suggestion like letting you know if the rebate has been processed for you ( and others), the amount of rebate, when you should see the refund in your bank and the actual out of pocket charge is just basic courtesy I feel. We display the fees clearly at the front desk and give a copy to any new patients ( if we can take new ones- so busy)

Hope you health is good mate. Walk, swim, run or ride lots is my best advice to have short medical appointments less frequently .

Have a great day.

My general practice bulk bills pensioners. I am one and appreciate this.

My GP was going on three weeks holiday over Christmas and, I, tongue in cheek, asked her if she was going to visit the vineyards and stud farm. She smartly replied that they are humble suburban GP's not orthopaedic or neurosurgeons.

Medicare rebates have been held at below inflation rises for MANY years and most health professionals can no longer afford to bulk bill everybody.
Not many health professionals could run any sort of business (practice) purely on Medicare rebates...