JEM44 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Hi there, we are just trying to get our heads around bulk billing and I have to say I am lost. We have PR and will be moving in May, the only thing we use here in the UK is my son is asthmatic and has an inhaler and eczema and uses moisturising and steroid cream, my daughter has hay fever and other than dental check ups that's about it (fingers crossed). But although I know we are eligible for Medicare, I can't get my head around bulk billing, and if not bulk billing I assume you pay before you leave the Drs surgery. Thanks Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Hi there, we are just trying to get our heads around bulk billing and I have to say I am lost. We have PR and will be moving in May, the only thing we use here in the UK is my son is asthmatic and has an inhaler and eczema and uses moisturising and steroid cream, my daughter has hay fever and other than dental check ups that's about it (fingers crossed). But although I know we are eligible for Medicare, I can't get my head around bulk billing, and if not bulk billing I assume you pay before you leave the Drs surgery. Thanks Laura That's it, then you claim back the bit covered by medicare. some doctors charge more than the bit paid by medicare so you can be out of pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Our doctors are 100% bulk billing. I have registered with them but not been yet. I assume when I do this means I pay nothing. Is that right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Our doctors are 100% bulk billing. I have registered with them but not been yet. I assume when I do this means I pay nothing. Is that right? Yes you pay nothing for the consultation - prescriptions aren't free though and if you were referred to a specialist, even something basic like a physio or podiatrist that wouldn't be either. In patient treatment in hospital is free though I believe - thankfully never needed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 If you are referred to a private specialist you pay a gap, but if you ask to be referred to a public specialist it is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Yes you pay nothing for the consultation - prescriptions aren't free though and if you were referred to a specialist, even something basic like a physio or podiatrist that wouldn't be either. In patient treatment in hospital is free though I believe - thankfully never needed it. Thanks. Worth knowing. Prescriptions were never free for me in the UK either. Luckily rarely needed. I always paid for stuff like physio anyway as it could take months on the NHS where I was and if I had back pain (for example) I needed it treated quickly (only twice ever so far luckily). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks. Worth knowing. Prescriptions were never free for me in the UK either. Luckily rarely needed. I always paid for stuff like physio anyway as it could take months on the NHS where I was and if I had back pain (for example) I needed it treated quickly (only twice ever so far luckily). Not sure if you are aware but prescriptions are not a set price as in the U.K different items are different prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Not sure if you are aware but prescriptions are not a set price as in the U.K different items are different prices. On this -- I was charged $36 for a 30ml tube of Betnovate not so long ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Not sure if you are aware but prescriptions are not a set price as in the U.K different items are different prices. Guessed that would be the case. Can you hawk your prescription around for the cheapest price here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Guessed that would be the case. Can you hawk your prescription around for the cheapest price here? I usually went to the Chemist Warehouse, seemed to be a bit cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM44 Posted February 22, 2016 Author Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks everyone, does it mean then, bulk billing obviously you don't get charged, but do you have to pay something like a monthly fee for the privilege of having bulk billing? If this is not the case why do some Drs do bulk billing and some don't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks everyone, does it mean then, bulk billing obviously you don't get charged, but do you have to pay something like a monthly fee for the privilege of having bulk billing? If this is not the case why do some Drs do bulk billing and some don't? Because they are private practices and can charge accordingly. It isn't a free at the point of service like the NHS. Some Doctors will bulk bill some and not others due to their perceived ability to pay. Well known quality Doctors can charge a premium like any good private practitioner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Just to add, I was referred to a specialist and did not pay a penny, it was all on Medicare, so you do not pay for all referrals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 Thanks everyone, does it mean then, bulk billing obviously you don't get charged, but do you have to pay something like a monthly fee for the privilege of having bulk billing? If this is not the case why do some Drs do bulk billing and some don't? Medicare pay the doctors a set amount per visit. Some doctors choose to charge more than the amount Medicare pays and so when you visit one of these doctors you pay the surgery for the visit and then Medicare refunds you the amount they pay out for the consultation. Other doctors choose to only charge the amount Medicare pays per consultation and in these cases the doctor will claim the amount back directly from Medicare. There is no monthly fee to pay but you do pay a Medicare levy on any money earned, a bit like with National insurance in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntersmummy Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Just to chuck my 2 cents in..... i go to a private rhuematologist here which she charges $300 for initial appointment then $160 after that. I normally get a cheque through for half back but recently, she's stopped charging me and bulk billing me instead! Apparently with private specialists, it's entirely up to them if they WANT to bulk bill or charge you. I must either be an awesome patient or she feels sorry for me also, she said younger doctors charge more because of insurance purposes. So might be worth sniffing out a Dr that's been about for a long time. Edited February 23, 2016 by Huntersmummy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 GP's are all private so they: - bulk bill (i.e. no gap); or - charge a gap; or - a mixture of the two (eg bulk bill children and pensioners but charge a gap to others). Specialists are either: - private so they usually charge a gap and medicare pays the rest; or - public, so free at point of service (like NHS) Hospitals are either: - private so the doctors operating there charge a gap with the rest covered by private hospital insurance and medicare; or - public, so free at point of service (like NHS) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 Just to chuck my 2 cents in.....i go to a private rhuematologist here which she charges $300 for initial appointment then $160 after that. I normally get a cheque through for half back but recently, she's stopped charging me and bulk billing me instead! Apparently with private specialists, it's entirely up to them if they WANT to bulk bill or charge you. I must either be an awesome patient or she feels sorry for me also, she said younger doctors charge more because of insurance purposes. So might be worth sniffing out a Dr that's been about for a long time. Always take off expensive jewellery and wear tracksuit when visiting private specialist...brushing hair optional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 You don't have to register with one Dr here and can go out of your area if that is where the bulk billing practice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lp77 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 @Jemm44 ask for 6month supply of meds before u leave. Less stress of finding gp quickly and probably cheaper too xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I pay my doc $59.00 everytime I go and that is the rate for people with pension and health care cards at my clinic. Others pay $70.00. I have been going to the clinic for years and like the service I get etc so don't mind paying. If you want to see a specialist for free its necessary to make an appointment at the hospital. Not many bulk bill at their rooms. This can take time depending on what is wrong with people, sometimes you can wait over a year for an appointment for some things. Bulk billing comes and goes over the years. Sometimes there are lots of clinics who bulk bill, presently there are quite a few where I live but in my experience they then find that they cannot live and run business successfully on the medicare rebate which has not been reviewed for many many years and they start charging some patients. So they then selectively choose who they will charge more to. Our clinic charges for first appointment but if you return in a couple of days with the same thing, then bulk billed. Doctors who work at bulk billing clinics usually are employed by one of the large medical companies and therefore they often move on to a more lucrative clinic after a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 I pay my doc $59.00 everytime I go and that is the rate for people with pension and health care cards at my clinic. Others pay $70.00. I have been going to the clinic for years and like the service I get etc so don't mind paying. If you want to see a specialist for free its necessary to make an appointment at the hospital. Not many bulk bill at their rooms. This can take time depending on what is wrong with people, sometimes you can wait over a year for an appointment for some things. Bulk billing comes and goes over the years. Sometimes there are lots of clinics who bulk bill, presently there are quite a few where I live but in my experience they then find that they cannot live and run business successfully on the medicare rebate which has not been reviewed for many many years and they start charging some patients. So they then selectively choose who they will charge more to. Our clinic charges for first appointment but if you return in a couple of days with the same thing, then bulk billed. Doctors who work at bulk billing clinics usually are employed by one of the large medical companies and therefore they often move on to a more lucrative clinic after a time. That price is before the rebate right? Do you remember how much you get back off medicare for that outlay ...$37 maybe ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 (edited) Worth mentioning that if you have mental health problems you can get a 'mental health plan' to that provides a number of sessions with a psychologist - there probably will be a gap payment but it is possible some bulk bill. Also you can get a 'GP Management plan' which provides 5 treatments with specialists such as physio, podiatry, OT etc. which are not normally available on Medicare if you have a chronic illness - my son and I both got this. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/health-medicare-health_pro-gp-pdf-allied-cnt.htm You don't need to qualify for a healthcare card and it's not means tested but I did have to ask the GP for it - he was more than happy to do it, I don't think it occurs to them sometimes how much the healthcare they are recommending is costing you. Edited February 23, 2016 by Lady Rainicorn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyNook Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 That price is before the rebate right? Do you remember how much you get back off medicare for that outlay ...$37 maybe ? Well, the medicare rebate for a regular consultation is definitely $37.05, so Petals is most likely paying $21.95 out of her own pocket for each visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.