Accounts
SERVICE DELIVERY
Bridge Clinic endeavours to provide you and your family with high quality health care at a reasonable price. It has been some time since our last review of fees and since then, we have extended our facilities, provided more doctors and appointments, provided access to more specialists locally and updated our patient record and appointment system. We have recently received full accreditation from Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited, a national body recognising and rewarding quality in general practice.
We are continually looking for ways to improve our services to you. If you have any suggestions or good ideas for improvement you can contact our Practice Manager Jill, by writing, emailing or telephoning (details on the cover of this brochure).
In order to continue the level of care and service that our community has come to expect, the Practice has made a decision to alter it’s billing procedures.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended fee for a Standard Consultation is $60.00. Bridge Clinic does not charge this fee and does accept a discount on the Commonwealth Schedule Fee for Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders.
Fees for these and other types of consultations are available on request. If you pay your account in full on the day you will receive the discount on the consultation fee.
New Fees
1. Bridge Clinic continues to Bulk Bill Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders for in-hours consultations.
2. Non Concession Card Holders
Standard Consultation $53.55
Medicare Rebate $33.55
Pay total fee on the day $48.55
Gap for same day payment $15.00 (not $20.00)
Standard Consultation $53.55
Medicare Rebate $33.55
Pay total fee on the day $48.55
Gap for same day payment $15.00 (not $20.00)
Extended Consultation $88.75
Medicare Rebate $63.75
Pay total fee on the day $83.75
Gap for same day payment $20.00 (not $25.00)
Medicare Rebate $63.75
Pay total fee on the day $83.75
Gap for same day payment $20.00 (not $25.00)
Home Visits $72.05
Medicare Rebate $57.05
Pay total fee within 14 days $77.05
Gap if paid within 14 days $15.00 (not $20.00)
Medicare Rebate $57.05
Pay total fee within 14 days $77.05
Gap if paid within 14 days $15.00 (not $20.00)
After Hours
A/Hours Consultation (no concession) $94.45
Medicare Rebate $44.45
Pay total fee within 14 days $79.45
Gap if paid within 14 days $35.00 (not $50)
Medicare Rebate $44.45
Pay total fee within 14 days $79.45
Gap if paid within 14 days $35.00 (not $50)
A/Hours Consultation (concession) $84.45
Medicare Rebate $44.45
Pay total fee within 14 days $74.45
Gap if paid within 14 days $30 (not $40)
Medicare Rebate $44.45
Pay total fee within 14 days $74.45
Gap if paid within 14 days $30 (not $40)
Emergency -non concession gap $35/$50
Emergency -concession gap $30/$40
(lesser amount if paid within 14 days)
Emergency -concession gap $30/$40
(lesser amount if paid within 14 days)
Gap payment increases after 11pm.
After 11pm non concession gap $40/$60
After 11pm concession gap $35/$50
(lesser amount if paid within 14 days)
After 11pm non concession gap $40/$60
After 11pm concession gap $35/$50
(lesser amount if paid within 14 days)
DIFFICULTY PAYING YOUR ACCOUNT?
Bridge Clinic doctors will use their discretion in cases of genuinely financially disadvantaged and chronically ill patients in need of frequent medical attention.
If you are having difficulty paying your account, please discuss this with our Accounts staff, the Practice Manager, or your doctor.
Fees are adjusted when the Medicare Scheduled Fees change on 1 May and 1 November each year.
We prefer that accounts be settled in full on the day of your appointment.
We can process your Medicare Claim Form for Electronic Funds Transfer and have the rebate deposited directly into the bank account of your choice within 7 days.
To do this you will need to provide the BSB number of your financial institution and your account number each time you make a claim.
We will accept payment by cash, EFTPOS, personal cheque or credit card.
IF NOT PAYING IN FULL ON THE DAY – you will need to pay the non discounted gap
If you do not pay in full on the day you will need to pay the non discounted gap between the Bridge Clinic consultation fee and the Medicare Rebate.
Complete a claim form before you leave and return the Medicare cheque to Bridge Clinic when you receive it (takes approximately 4 weeks).
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS GOLD CARD HOLDERS
Please show your card when checking in for your appointment.
Standard Consultation No Gap
After Hours No Gap
After Hours No Gap
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Best medical care suggests that you make an appointment to discuss your medication before being issued with a repeat prescription.
Other than in special circumstances, our doctors will not issue a prescription without a consultation.
Other than in special circumstances, our doctors will not issue a prescription without a consultation.
Prescriptions issued without a consultation will attract a fee of $5 – to be paid on collection of script.
Referrals
Referrals requested outside of a consultation will attract a fee of $10 – to be paid at time of collection.
SPECIALISTS
Bridge Clinic is not responsible for the fee setting and collection of our visiting specialists. If you have any queries regarding your specialist account, please contact the specialist concerned.
MEDICAL HISTORY FORMS
Please book an appointment to see your GP to complete forms requiring your patient information or medical history. Examples of these are
Pension application
Sickness Benefit application
Passport application
Document Witness application
Pension application
Sickness Benefit application
Passport application
Document Witness application
Please note that not all of these items attract a Medicare rebate.
HOME VISITS
As a general rule, both examination and treatment is more effective in the clinic setting, with its available facilities, but in cases of infirmity or other situations, home visits are available on request.