*Individual doctors fees may vary
*Nurse-led services are not covered by Medicare. Out of pocket fees will vary depending on service provided.
Our practice is not immune to the increase in cost of operation, and in order to continue looking after the health of the central coast community, we have to unfortunately raise the out of pocket cost.
General Practitioners (GPs) may charge a gap fee in addition to the Medicare rebate in certain situations. Here are a few reasons why GPs may charge a gap:
1. Medicare Rebate: The Medicare rebate is the amount that the government contributes towards the cost of medical services. However, the rebate does not cover the full cost of providing the service, leading GPs to charge an additional fee to bridge the gap between the rebate and the total cost.
2. Enhanced Services: Some GPs offer enhanced services that go beyond the standard consultation. These additional services, such as extended consultations, procedures, or specialised treatments, are not fully covered by the Medicare rebate. Charging a gap fee allows GPs to account for the extra time, resources, medical materials, equipment upkeep or expertise involved in providing these services.
3. Practice Overheads: GPs have various overhead costs associated with running their practices, including rent, utilities, staff salaries, medical equipment, and administrative expenses. The gap fee helps cover these overhead costs and ensures the financial viability of the practice.
4. Bulk Billing Limitations: While bulk billing, where the GP accepts the Medicare rebate as full payment, is an option for some patients, it is not always feasible for GPs due to financial constraints. Charging a gap fee allows GPs to continue providing quality care while balancing the financial aspects of their practice.
It’s important to note that gap fees are not mandatory, and not all GPs charge them. The decision to charge a gap fee can vary among individual GPs and practices based on their specific circumstances and business models. Patients are encouraged to enquire about fees and billing practices when making appointments to ensure clarity regarding cost of services
Policy:
This policy outlines how Family Doctors@Tuggerah monitors and manages appointment no-shows and late cancellations.
Purpose and objectives:
The purpose of this policy is to explain to patients, their families, and carers how Family Doctors@Tuggerah will respond to no show, late and cancelled appointments, given Family Doctors @ Tuggerah main objective is to provide medical care to each patient in a timely manner.
This policy applies to all patients who have booked appointments with Family Doctors @ Tuggerah.
Description
“No Show” shall mean any patient who fails to arrive for a scheduled appointment.
“Same Day Cancellation” shall mean any patient who cancels an appointment less than 3 hours before their scheduled appointment time.
“Late Arrival” shall mean any patient who arrives at the clinic 15 minutes after the expected arrival time for the scheduled appointment.
If it is necessary to cancel an appointment, patients are required to cancel the appointment online if the appointment has been booked through our online booking system or call the practice at least 24 hours before their appointment time. Ample notification allows the practice to better utilise appointments for other patients in need of prompt medical care.
Procedure
I. All patients:
A patient shall be notified of the appointment “No-Show, Late, & Cancellation Policy” at the time of scheduling the appointment. This policy can and will be provided in writing to patients at their request and is listed on our company website.
II. Established patients:
a. Appointments must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.
b. In the event a patient arrives late as defined by “late arrival” to their appointment and cannot be seen by the provider on the same day, they will be rescheduled for a future visit, if available. If appointments are not yet available for their provider an alternative appointment will be offered with another Provider.
c. In the event a regular patient of Family Doctors @ Tuggerah has incurred three (3) documented “no-shows” and/or “same-day cancellations,” the patient may be suspended from booking a future appointment with Family Doctors at Tuggerah for a 1-month period
d. If an appointment has been cancelled and has been rescheduled, but the patient will run out of their regular medication before the rescheduled appointment, a single prescription without any repeats can be issued to tie the patient over until the rescheduled appointment.
The repeat prescription request will need to be booked online through our website and will attract a prescription fee of $20. The prescription fee is a Private Fee and no medicare rebate applies. Payment is required at the time of requesting the prescription repeat request.
• Only a single tie over prescription can be issued so the patient will need to attend the rescheduled appointment for further repeats.
• If a patient or their parent/carer is unwell and cannot attend a follow up appointment, please let us know in advance, and a telehealth appointment can be arranged.
III. New patients:
a. Appointments must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to scheduled appointment time.
b. In the event a patient arrives late as defined by “late arrival” to their appointment, Family Doctors @ Tuggerah reserves the right to request that the patient reschedule their appointment for a future date.
d. In the event of three (3) documented “No shows” or “same-day cancellations,” the patient may be prevented from booking any future appointments with us.
$200.00 + GST = $220.00
1) Medical screening – using the attached Candidate Medical paperwork
2) Observations
3) Vision Test
4) Urine Drug and Alcohol Test
NOTE: Deposit is required: A 50% non-refundable deposit fee, would be payable at time of booking with the remainder paid at the time of the appointment.
$290.00 + GST = $319.00
1) Medical screening – using the attached Candidate Medical paperwork
2) Observations
3) Vision Test
4) Spirometry
5) ECG (If required)
6) Urine Drug and Alcohol Test
7) Hearing Test – will be completed at Amplifon Tuggerah
Level 2, Shop 2050, Westfield Tuggerah, 50 Wyong Road, upstairs from the practice. Phone number for booking and fee enquiries is 1800 704 503. (Fee Applicable)
Family Doctors @ Tuggerah bulk bills patients who are:
Below 16 years old
Aged Pensioner
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) card holders
All other patients will be charged a fee. A list of fees charged is displayed in the reception area and above, and is available on request.
Non-medicare items such as work cover, medical exams for insurance purposes, employment etc. are also privately charged. Payment is expected on the day.
Initial work cover visits are privately billed and payment is expected on the day.
Cash and EFTPOS (Visa, Mastercard) payments are accepted.
Not all practices bulk bill their patients, and Family Doctors @ Tuggerah is one of them. It is a common misconception that if patients are bulk billed, the doctor receives the same amount that the patient pays anyway. When patients are paying privately the practice is compensated more than what Medicare will pay.
The extra amount the practice receives for the services it offers is used to keep it running and pay for practice expenses not covered by Medicare thus offering the best patient care outcomes.
Click here for more information on how bulk billing works.
If your bank details are set up with Medicare, we can submit a claim for you, and you should receive the rebate on your account after 2-3 business days. Otherwise, we can print a receipt at the end of your visit and you may lodge a claim with Medicare online.
Click here for more information on how claiming works.
Each doctor at Family Doctors @ Tuggerah runs their own practice and as such sets fees and billing methods independently. In some cases our doctors may choose to bulk bill you but this is done on the basis of the services rendered on that visit.
