Fee Increase from 1st July 2023
Posted on June 13, 2023 in NewsIncreased Medical Fees
Today Medicare rebates do not cover the full cost of providing you with medical care. This is because the rate at which successive governments have indexed the Medicare Schedule fees has been substantially lower than increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and average weekly earnings.
The reality is that Medicare rebates do not cover the cost of providing you with a safe and high quality service. The fees charged by this practice have to cover all of our practice costs including employing receptionists and practice nurses, and meeting our operating expenses such as rent, medical equipment, electricity, computers and insurance.
From 2012-2017 all MBS rebates were frozen with no indexation. Indexation only recommenced in 2017, when GP bulk-billing incentives were indexed at 1.4% and then from 2018-2022 with GP standard attendances and specialist consultations indexed at 1.5%, 1.6%, 1.5%, 0.9% and 1.6% (respectively).
It is not possible for this practice to meet our running costs each year without increasing our fees.
From 1st July 2023 our practice will be charging you the following fees for our most common services:
| Consultation | Private | Concession |
| Standard: 1-2 issues / 15 minutes | $51.80 out of pocket
$93 total on the day, $41.20 rebate paid back to you by Medicare |
$36.60 out of pocket
$78 total on the day, $41.20 rebate paid back to you by Medicare |
| Longer consultation: complex needs / numerous issues / mental health consult | $70.30 out of pocket
$150 payable on the day, $79.70 rebate paid back to you by Medicare |
$53.30 out of pocket
$130 payable on the day, $79.70 rebate paid back to you by Medicare |
| Saturday Morning | $63.80 out of pocket
$105 payable on the day $41.20 rebate paid back to you from Medicare |
$50.80 out of pocket
$91 payable on the day, $40.20 rebate paid back from Medicare |
| Public Holiday | $84.35 out of pocket
$138 payable on the day, $53.65 rebate paid back to you from Medicare |
$63.35 out of pocket
$117 payable on the day, $50.55 rebate paid back to you from Medicare |
| Telehealth | $51.25 out of pocket
$93 payable on day, $41.20 rebate paid back to you from Medicare
|
$36.80 out of pocket
$78 payable on the day, $41.20 rebate paid back to you from Medicare |
If you have extenuating circumstances please discuss these with your treating medical practitioner.
If you wish to let the Government know that the Medicare rebate is insufficient to assist you in meeting the cost of your medical care, please contact your local Member of Parliament at http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Members and/or the Minister for Health:
The Hon Mark Butler MP
Minister for Health
PO Box 6022
House of Representatives
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6277 7220
Email: Mark.Butler.MP@aph.gov.au