常见问题

Medicare is the basis of Australia's health care system and covers many health care costs. You can choose whether to have Medicare cover only, or a combination of Medicare and private health insurance. Citizens and most permanent Australian residents are eligible for Medicare.

From 1 November 2025, bulk billing incentive will apply to all Medicare card holders — not just children and concession card holders. We have decided to change to Bulk Billing Practice because it is the right thing to do.

We want to ensure we can provide affordable health care to our patients and our community. The increased government funding means we can try bulk billing on eligible services and see if we can maintain business needs.

In short, most of the time, no, you won't pay. All our consultations involving thinking, planning, prescribing and advice will be bulk billed.

However, if your visit involves a procedure, such as: skin biopsy, Implanon insertion or removal… then an out-of-pocket fee will apply. If your visit is not on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, such as Pre-employment Assessment, Commercial Driving Assessment, private fees will apply.

Continuity of care is vital. The best care happens when you see the same doctor at the same practice and have the same medical records.

But when your doctor takes leave, or you need urgent care but your doctor is not available, we have a team-based approach. All our doctors share access to your records and are familiar with your history.

Sometimes, a second opinion or a fresh perspective is helpful. You can trust that all our clinicians are working together to provide you with consistent, high-quality care.

We care for a high number of patients with chronic and complex conditions. Medicare allows for NEW chronic disease management once a year, and for reviews of chronic conditions every three months. These visits, along with management plan (GPCCMP), are fully bulk billed. You'll receive access to up to five visits to allied health providers with Medicare Rebates (e.g., physio, podiatry, exercise physiology) each calendar year if you qualify.

ONE MAIN ISSUE can be discussed with your doctor in ONE CONSULTATION to ensure bulk billing service is available for all Medicare Card Holders. If something needs more time, we will arrange a review appointment.

We do not generally provide after-hours care. After-hours medical services are available through:

• Hello Home Doctor, which is our cooperating Afterhours service. You can ring our clinic phone number out of normal business hours to get connected, or ring 134100 directly.
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics
• Emergency Department in local hospitals

To avoid unnecessary inconveniences, please make sure you organise your appointment with your regular doctor for any required referrals, scripts, or follow-up requests whenever possible.

We hope not — but there may be pressure.

When practices move to bulk billing, they may attract more appointment requests including new patients. We are limited by the number of appointments we can safely offer — based on how many doctors are working each day. We ask for your understanding if wait times vary.

This is crucial. Our reception team works hard to help everyone, and sometimes must deliver difficult messages — like when no appointments are available. We ask all patients to be kind and respectful. Abuse will not be tolerated. We are doing our best to keep our doors open, our staff safe, and your health care affordable.

The doctors at Moonah Health Centre were thoughtful and cautious in considering the new scheme. They were concerned that:

• Bulk billing might increase demand beyond our capacity.
• Patients might perceive free consultations as less valuable
• A surge in requests from new patients and appointment seekers could overwhelm the system

We believe there's some truth to all of this — and that clear communication and expectation management is key to protecting both patient care and staff wellbeing.

It is our view that bulk billing does not reduce the quality of care. At Moonah Health Centre, we continue to provide a high standard of medical care and access — often above the national average.

Please also take the time to read our guidance on how to prepare for an appointment and be a good patient — your role matters greatly in helping this model succeed.

Firstly, we hope our patients understand that, to protect the sustainability of the bulk billing model, we can only offer standard 15-minute consultations for all patients. Exemptions for patients with disabilities, including mobility issues, can be discussed with the doctor.

While your GP has access to your medical records, medication list, and past history, your appointment will be most effective if you come prepared.

In a standard 15-minute consult, we can typically:

• Address ONE main issue ONLY (e.g. including prescriptions, referral, investigation plan)
• If there are other minor problems, doctor might discuss if time allows.
• If something needs more time, we'll arrange a review appointment.

Often, chronic problems require investigation, planning, and follow-up — and we'll guide you through that process.

For chronic condition management, we aim to see you every three months as Medicare allows for structured review and planning. Coming prepared helps you, helps us, and protects the sustainability of the bulk billing model.