General Practitioners (GPs) who offer bulk billing adhere to the 'Medicare schedule fee' for their provided appointments and services, as determined by the government. Under this arrangement, the GP is directly compensated by the government for their services, and patients are not required to make any payments.

Regrettably, the Medicare schedule fee provided as compensation does not sufficiently cover the operational expenses of the medical practice. Consequently, most centres will find it necessary to apply an additional fee.

It's important to note that the reimbursement rate for bulk-billed services by Medicare has seen minimal adjustment since 2013. In fact, the government's reimbursement is less than half of what the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommends for a short consultation. Therefore, the implementation of a gap fee is necessary to sustain the high-quality care and services we provide to our patients.

A gap fee represents the amount that a patient is required to contribute towards the cost of a medical consultation or service. When you visit a healthcare provider, you will initially pay the full fee, which includes the Medicare rebate (a partial reimbursement from the government) and the gap fee (the patient's share). Following your payment, you can then claim the Medicare rebate separately, which essentially refunds a portion of the total cost. However, it's important to note that even after receiving the Medicare rebate, you may still have an out-of-pocket expense, which is the remaining gap fee that you are responsible for covering.

It is generally necessary to schedule an appointment with a General Practitioner (GPs) in order to obtain a new prescription or a repeat prescription. GPs assess your medical condition, review your medication history, and ensure that any prescribed medication aligns with your current healthcare needs during these consultations.

For a general GP consultation, we encourage patients to schedule an appointment in advance to ensure that you receive timely and personalised medical care. While we may accept walk-in patients, availability may vary, and scheduled appointments allow us to better accommodate your needs and minimise wait times. Your health is our priority, and by scheduling an appointment, you can receive the attention and care you deserve.

From 1st October 2023, patients are provided with the opportunity to enrol with a MyMedicare registered medical practice. Enrolment to your medical practice enables greater continuity of care, enhanced chronic disease management and access to longer telehealth services. You can certainly register with one of our Myhealth medical centres if you have a medicare or DVA card, and have had 2 face-to-face visits recorded at the same centre over the last 24 months. To learn more and to keep up to date with enrollment information please visit https://myhealth.net.au/myhealth-enrolment