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We are Transitioning to a Mixed Billing Medical Practice on 1st November 2024

From 1st November, 2024 Optimal Health Medical Centre will transition from bulk billing to mixed billing medical practice for most consultations. This change is necessary to ensure that we can continue to offer the best possible care while maintaining sustainability in the long term.

Why Are We Transitioning to Mixed Billing

Medicare rebates are a partial subsidy, covering only a portion of the visit to your doctor. To continue providing thorough and accessible care, we need to move to mixed billing. This decision will allow us to retain highly skilled General Practitioners while maintaining the quality of care that our patients expect and deserve.

What is Mixed Billing and What Does it Mean for You

Mixed billing means that, while some patients will still be bulk billed, most will have an out-of-pocket (Gap) fee for their consultations. This fee is the difference between our consultation charge and the Medicare rebate.

For example – A standard consultation will start at $72.85, with a Medicare rebate of $42.85, resulting in a $30 out-of-pocket fee.

Who Will Still Be Bulk Billed

We will continue to bulk bill the following patients 7 days a week:

• Children under 16 with a valid Medicare Card
• Patients with a Centrelink concession card

Certain services, like Chronic Disease Management Plans and Mental Health Care Plans, will continue to be bulk billed.

Cost of Procedures

The cost of procedures may vary depending on complexity and additional gap fees may apply. Please speak to your doctor or our reception team to get an estimate based on your procedure.

Online or Telehealth Consultations

Telehealth consultations will be subject to the same gap fees as in-person appointments. You can make payment over the phone or via a secure link after your consultation. Medicare rebates for telehealth are processed by our reception team through Medicare online where Medicare deposit your rebate amount directly into the bank account you have registered with them.

If you have any questions or enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us: