FAQ: Cost Of Healthcare
Why Is There A Gap Fee? The costs of healthcare are not reflected in patient Medicare rebates (the amount the government pays to subsidise GP consultations).
Why does the out-of-pocket expense keep increasing? Practice costs are rising but the Medicare rebate has not kept pace. Between 2010 and 2020, Medicare rebates increased by an average of just over 1% each year. Rebates were completely frozen (i.e. did not receive an annual indexation increase from the government) between 2014 and 2018. Practice costs over the same period rose around 3% per year and significantly more in the past few years. The average out of pocket cost for patients is now higher than the Medicare rebate for a standard GP consultation. Please consider writing to your local member of parliament.
Why does the GP Urgent Care clinic bulk bill? Because the government gives GP urgent care clinics extra money to cover costs, so they can bulk bill.
Why do doctors at QMSC have different fees? Because our doctors are independent practitioners, they each set their own fees.
Why does my usual doctor bulk bill me but other doctors don’t? If your GP has a special arrangement with you regarding your fees, this only applies when you see your regular GP. If you see another practitioner, regular practice fees will apply.
Why can we no longer bulk bill concession card holders? Your Medicare rebate from the government does not cover the current cost of your healthcare. Unfortunately, your doctor and clinic can no longer cover this gap. Please continue raising this with your local member of parliament.
Why do we increase our fees? The cost of running a practice continues to rise but the government has not increased any payments to assist with this. That is one of the reasons many GP surgeries are closing or transitioning to universal private billing.
Why are there procedure fees that Medicare does not cover? Medicare does not provide any rebate to you for the cost of equipment and supplies used to carry out procedures such as dressings, IV cannulas, loading devices and so on. The practice covers the cost of some of these items such as dressings but is unable to cover the cost of more expensive consumable items.
Options To Reduce Your Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Patients with a chronic health condition: If you have a chronic health condition, you are likely to be eligible for a chronic disease management appointment every 3 months. All our GPs currently bulk bill these. Check eligibility with your GP and remember these appointments are only for the review and management planning around your chronic health condition/s.
Short telehealth options: We have short telehealth appointments with a reduced out-of-pocket fee for repeat of most scripts, repeat referrals and requests for pathology referrals for upcoming appointments.
Team care appts: At times, your doctor may direct you to a team care appointment which is a short appointment with reduced out-of-pocket fees for some eligible conditions.
If you are 75+ years, you are eligible for a comprehensive annual health assessment which all our practitioners currently bulk bill.
Multiple medications: Consider a free home medication review if you are taking 5 or more medications or have had recent changes to your medications. All our practitioners also currently bulk bill these appts.
Online requests: These are available with some of our practitioners, for some repeat prescriptions and repeat referrals. These can be accessed through our online booking platform HotDocs. A reduced fee applies.