Altona Gate Medical Centre change the billing policy from bulk billing clinic to mixed billing clinic for all patients, both new and existing, from Monday 09/01/2023, the 9th of January 2023.

However, bulk billing will continue for around 70% of our existing patients according to the information below.

The reasons for our change in policy:

It is with a heavy heart that we announce a change to our billing policy. Providing excellent healthcare to our patients has always been our top priority, and we have been a bulk-billing practice for a long time because we believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. However, the reimbursement we receive from Medicare does not cover the costs of operating our clinic and delivering the high level of care that we strive for.

As a result, we have decided to shift away from accepting the government’s valued amount of $39.75 for a standard visit with our specialist GP and move towards a pricing structure more in line with other service industries such as: Healthcare professionals who specialise in allied health fields such as other GP clinics ,speech therapy, nutrition, and social work; Fitness professionals who offer personal training, group fitness instruction, and other wellness services; and other skilled tradespeople. Please note that this change does not reflect a decrease in the level of care we provide. Our doctors will continue to be attentive to your needs and take the time to thoroughly explain any health concerns you may have.

We understand that this change may be difficult for some of our patients, but please know that it is necessary for us to continue offering the highest quality of primary healthcare possible. Thank you for your understanding.

When will bulk-billing still apply?

Access to healthcare and continuity of care is very important to us. Therefore, most of our patients will continue to be bulk billed as below: – (Weekend & all public holidays are privately billed to all patients with no exception to cover the increased staff rate)

Existing patients only who are:

Pension card holders
Defense Veterans
Other government-approved concession cards
Full-time students with a valid student card (existing patients)
Health card holders
Follow up appointment of privately billed patient (new and existing)
National Immunisations Program Schedule (new and existing)
GP Management plans for chronic disease management and reviews
GP mental health plans and reviews for existing patients
Health assessments
All tele-health for existing patients who have seen the GP within the past 12 months (temporary measure until further notice) for health care or pension card holder only or child under 16 years or younger.
Children 14 years or younger

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our General Manager to discuss payment plan options. We are here to help.

To help you understand the costs of your appointment, we will provide a full list of fees and explain any changes to our cancellation policy, script and repeat referral process, and tele-health fees.

While our reception staff will do their best to give you an estimate of the costs based on the information you provide, the final fee may vary depending on the length and nature of your appointment, and if any procedures are involved.

How will payment occur?

Payment for the full private fee will be collected by credit or debit card at the end of your appointment. Please note that we accept cash payments. We can then electronically process your Medicare rebate on your behalf, which should appear in your bank account within 1-2 business days. It is important to ensure that your bank details are up to date on my.gov.au to avoid any delays in receiving your rebate. We will provide instructions to help you with this process.

Patients who are not bulk-billed or concession card holders can expect an out-of-pocket fee of $25.25 for a consultation. There will be no bulk billing on weekends and public holidays and instead they will be privately billed.

Minor biopsy procedures typically include punch and shave biopsies. However, these biopsies may be classified as standard biopsies if they are large or located in hard-to-reach areas. This cost could be between $25 to $50 for these procedures.

Standard or excision biopsies are performed with local anaesthesia and often require stitches. The size and complexity of these procedures can vary greatly, so the cost may also vary. However, the out-of-pocket fee for these procedures is generally the same. There is a gap fee of $50 or more for these procedures.

Saturday & all public holidays are no bulk billing but all private billing

Pricing for Saturday