Fees

FEE POLICY - EFFECTIVE 1ST OCTOBER 2022

Malvern Medical Centre has always prided itself on providing a high level of care for all patients. Over the past 10 years, there has been a significant increase in the cost of running a high-quality general practice. During this time, the Federal Government has only provided very small increases to your Medicare rebate. This has meant that your Medicare rebate is now inadequate and no longer covers the full cost of a GP consultation.

Malvern Medical Centre is committed to continue providing high quality health care and on 1 October 2022 transitioned to a new private billing model, with all patients paying an out of pocket fee (excluding children under 5 years of age and DVA patients). A discounted fee will be offered for pensioners, healthcare card holders (not the Commonwealth Seniors Health card holders) and children under the age of 16 years, with a $20 out of pocket fee for standard consultations (< 20 mins). Below is a full fee summary regarding longer consults and procedures.

Patients with a chronic medical condition may qualify for a GP Management Plan and these appointments will not attract out of pocket fees. Annual Health Assessments for Medicare eligible patient groups (eg those over 75 years of age) will also be offered without out of pocket fees. Please discuss with your doctor if you believe you may qualify for these services.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the change in policy please see or call our Practice Manager to discuss these with you. Patients in genuine financial hardship are encouraged to discuss their individual circumstances with their doctor.

STANDARD PRACTICE FEES

CONSULT (LEVEL)	PRIVATE FEE	CONCESSIONAL FEE	MEDICARE REBATE
Standard (< 20 mins)	$88.20 (Gap $47.00)	$61.20 (Gap $20.00)	$41.20
Long (20-40 mins)	$144.70 (Gap $75.00)	$109.70 (Gap $30.00)	$79.70
Prolonged (>40 mins)	$217.40 (Gap $100.00)	$157.40 (Gap $40.00)	$117.40
Saturdays	$15 surcharge on above fees	$10 surcharge on above fees	As above

The same fee structure applies for telehealth as for face-to-face consultations.

Note: Dr Sinclair has continued her previous fee structure for her patients.

PAYMENT OF FEES

Full payment is required on the day via credit/debit card (EFTPOS). If you have a debit card, then we may refund the Medicare Rebate into your account on the same day.

WEEKENDS

Private gap fees (with surcharge) apply for all weekend consultations and services for all patients, regardless of age or concessional status.

NON-MEDICARE SERVICES

Worker’s Compensation and Third-Party claims must be paid in full on the day.

Full private fees apply for all medical reports and comprehensive medical examinations for which there is no Medicare rebate, including Commercial Driving Medicals.

Full private fees apply for patients who do not have a valid Medicare card.

DID NOT ATTEND FEE

A fee of $50 applies for patients who do not attend their appointments or cancel with less than 4 hours’ notice.

OUT-OF-POCKET FEES APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

Scripts without appointment $20 Referrals or forms without appointment $30 Excisions: $100 gap (concession $70) Biopsies: $80 gap (concession $50) Iron infusions: $120 gap (concession $90) Mirena insertions: $200 gap (concessional $100) Mirena removals: $50 gap Implanon insertions and removals: $100 gap (concessional $70) Dressings: $15-50 out-of-pocket fee depending on complexity

MEDICARE SAFETY NET

If patients need to see a doctor or have tests regularly, Medicare Safety Nets can help to lower out of pocket medical costs.

These costs can include those incurred for:

• seeing a doctor or specialist
• some tests and scans like blood tests and CT scans.

When patients spend over a certain amount in a calendar year, Medicare will provide a higher rebate than usual. Medicare calculate the Safety Nets each calendar year, 1 January to 31 December.

Patients enrolled in Medicare are eligible for Medicare Safety Nets.

Click here for more details: https://www.servicesaustralia....

Our consulting fees are displayed in our waiting rooms.