Important Changes to Billing Policy

Dear Valued Patients,

We write to inform you of important changes to our billing policy at MyClinic South Yarra. After long, careful consideration we have made the decision to introduce mixed billing to this practice.

These changes will come into effect from Wednesday 1^st December

Information included below:

What is mixed-billing?
When will bulk-billing still apply?
How will the fee be processed?
How will I know the cost of my appointment before I come in?
Reasons for the change in policy
List of most common fees

1. What is mixed-billing?

Mixed-billing means that most patients will now pay a ‘gap payment’ for appointments. A gap payment is an out-of-pocket cost that is the difference between the practice’s private fee and your Medicare rebate.

However, some patients will continue to be bulk-billed or will be eligible for a concession fee.

2. When will bulk-billing still apply?

Access to healthcare is very important to us. Therefore, certain patients will continue to be bulk-billed or receive a concession fee.

Pensioners and children will be charged at a discounted rate

Chronic Disease Care Plans, Mental Health Care Plans and Covid Vaccines will continue to be Bulk Billed

Flu Vaccine appointments will be bulk billed, vaccine itself will incur a fee for those patients that are not eligible for government vaccine program.

3. How will the fee be processed?

You will be charged the full consultation fee to your credit or debit card at the end of your appointment.

We can then electronically process your Medicare rebate on your behalf. The rebate should appear in your bank account within 1-2 business days. We recommend that you ensure your bank details are up-to-date on my.gov.au to avoid any delays in receiving your rebate. Patients who are not bulk-billed or concession card holders should expect an out-of-pocket fee of approximately $50 for a standard consultation.

4. How will I know the cost of my appointment before I come in?

Our reception staff will always try to give you the most accurate advice possible about the costs of your appointment ahead of time. However, please keep in mind that the reception staff will only be able to offer you advice based on the information you provide and that your type of consultation may vary in your appointment.

Key indicators that will change the cost of your appointment include the length (time) of your appointment, how many issues you discuss with the doctor, and whether there is a procedure involved in your appointment. We have tried our best to keep the gap payment as consistent as possible across all appointment types so that patients do not experience too much variation.

5. Reasons for the change in policy:

We are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of healthcare we provide; recently we have had two doctors leave the clinic and in order to protect the sustainability of this practice we feel we need to make this change to be able to attract new doctors to the clinic.

We cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support of our practice – in the past and into the future – as we make this transition.

Kind regards,

Management, Doctors and Staff

MyClinic South Yarra

6. Summary of most common fees

See below a summary of the fees that you will most commonly be charged.