Fees and Billing
We will be a bulk billing practice from 1 November 2025.
This year, the Commonwealth Government announced significant new funding and incentives to encourage bulk billing. Currently, doctors receive a “bulk billing incentive” when they choose to bulk bill eligible patients. Up to now, this has only applied to children under 16 and holders of Commonwealth concession or health care cards.
From 1 November 2025, the Commonwealth is extending this incentive to all patients with a Medicare or Veterans Affairs card.
As a result, we are pleased to confirm that Hills Family General Practice will return to bulk billing all patients from this date.
Please note that standard fees and out-of-pocket expenses remain applicable for procedures and non-GP consultations not included in the incentive program – this includes biopsies, excisions, infusions, laceration repairs, allied health services such as podiatry and psychology, as well as endocrinologist consultations.
We appreciate the Commonwealth’s additional support, which allows us to make this change. We will continue to monitor future policy and funding developments on a regular basis and will review our billing policy if incentives are withdrawn or fail to keep pace with rising costs.
Frequently asked questions
For privately charged procedures, allied health or specialist visits, your Medicare rebate can be processed in one of three ways:
- If you have a physical savings or cheque card, an instant Medicare rebate can be claimed at the time of payment. This method of rebate is only available for consultations, and not for procedures.
- If you do not have a physical savings card and your Medicare account is linked to your personal bank account, we can send an online claim to Medicare on your behalf. Your rebate should generally be paid to your account within 72 hours. If you need to check or change your bank account details, please visit Medicare online via myGov, or use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
- If you want to claim the rebate yourself, upload a copy of the payment invoice via the Medicare online portal, or use the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
We recommend you check your Medicare account within 72 hours of payment, and upload a copy of the payment invoice if your rebate has not been processed. Payment invoices are automatically emailed upon payment.
All face to face, telephone and video consultations with a GP for eligible Medicare card holder will be bulk billed.
Consultations also include:
- GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (also known as Care plans)
- GP Chronic Condition Management Plans (Care plan review)
- GP Mental health care plans
- Health assessments
Like most GPs, most of our doctors work as independent contractors, and they pay the practice a service fee. The practice relies on the service fees from doctors for the majority of its income which is then used to pay staff (e.g. receptionists, nurses), rent, medical equipment, building costs, utilities, computers etc.
Yes, standard fees and out-of-pocket expenses remain applicable for procedures and non-GP consultations not included in the incentive program – this includes biopsies, excisions, infusions, wound repairs involving glue or suturing, mirena or implanon insertion/removal, allied health services such as podiatry and psychology, as well as endocrinologist consultations.
GP Consultations
The following applies from 1st November 2025.
| Type of consultation | Fee |
|---|---|
| Face to face and telehealth standard consultation | Bulk billed |
| Face to face and telehealth long consultation | Bulk billed |
| Face to face and telehealth prolonged consultation | Bulk billed |
| Face to face consultation lasting more than 1 hour | Bulk billed |
| Chronic disease management plans | Bulk billed |
| Mental health care plans | Bulk billed |
| 45-49 year old health assessments | Bulk billed |
| Cardiovascular health assessment | Bulk billed |
Procedures
The following fees apply to all patients.
| Procedure | Fee | Medicare rebate | Out of pocket cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin biopsy | $90 | $51.85 | $38.15 |
| Skin lesion excision | Variable (up to $270) | Variable | approx $50 |
| Repair of wound with sutures | Variable (up to $150) | Variable | $50 |
| Iron infusion | $170 | No rebate | $170 |
| Implanon insertion | $95 | $35.30 | $59.70 |
| Implanon removal | $105 | $60.25 | $44.75 |
| Wound dressings (ongoing) | $25 | $18.95 | $6.05 |
| Mirena IUD removal | $120 | $43.90 | $76.10 |
Allied Health
| Type of consultation | Fee | Medicare rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Podiatrist initial consultation | $100 ($90**) | $61.80* |
| Podiatrist subsequent consultation | $90 ($80**) | $61.80* |
| Dietitian initial consultation (1hr) | $220 | $61.80* |
| Dietitian subsequent consultation | $110 | $61.80* |
*Medicare rebatable for patients who have a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) referral
**Cost for Pension Card or Health Care Card holders
Cancellation policy
Please note that all appointments, including telehealth, must be rescheduled or cancelled 1 hour prior to the booked time. Missed appointments will incur a charge up to a $100 and will need to be paid prior to making another booking.
All new patients must enter a valid credit card to reserve a booking. Your card will not be charged if you attend the visit and the consultation is bulk billed.
