Fees
The costs of running a medical practice continue to rise. In keeping with the CPI, the cost of staff wages, rent, utilities and purchasing of equipment have all increased. The Medicare rebate has failed to keep up with the CPI and went through a 'freeze' for a number of years from 2014 until 2019. Even with the lifting of the Medicare freeze, the increase in Medicare rebates have been woefully inadequate. This failure of Medicare rebates to keep up with the CPI means practices are unable to sustain universal bulk billing.
The Medicare rebate alone is not enough to sustain a bulk billing practice and provide quality healthcare. In order to continue providing quality healthcare, an out of pocket cost will need to be charged. The alternative to this would be shorter consultations and cutting of services in order to continue bulk billing of all services and consultations.
Both reception staff and the clinical team will inform you if an out of pocket charge will be incurred.
You can pay by debit card or credit card on completion of the service. Due to the current pandemic we do not accept cash. If you pay by debit card, you can claim your Medicare rebate at the time of payment. Alternatively, if you pay by credit card, a receipt will be issued and you will be able to claim the Medicare rebate via the Medicare app or in person, at a Medicare branch.
The costs of running a medical practice continue to rise. In keeping with the CPI, the cost of staff wages, rent, utilities and purchasing of equipment have all increased. The Medicare rebate has failed to keep up with the CPI and went through a 'freeze' for a number of years from 2014 until 2019. Even with the lifting of the Medicare freeze, the increase in Medicare rebates have been woefully inadequate. This failure of Medicare rebates to keep up with the CPI means practices are unable to sustain universal bulk billing.
The Medicare rebate alone is not enough to sustain a bulk billing practice and provide quality healthcare. In order to continue providing quality healthcare, an out of pocket cost will need to be charged. The alternative to this would be shorter consultations and cutting of services in order to continue bulk billing of all services and consultations.
Both reception staff and the clinical team will inform you if an out of pocket charge will be incurred.
You can pay by debit card or credit card on completion of the service. Due to the current pandemic we do not accept cash. If you pay by debit card, you can claim your Medicare rebate at the time of payment. Alternatively, if you pay by credit card, a receipt will be issued and you will be able to claim the Medicare rebate via the Medicare app or in person, at a Medicare branch.
Saturday Opening Hours
As a result of the lockdown to the Greater Sydney region, Ashford Avenue Family Practice will be closed on Saturdays. We will continue to review the situation and hope to reopen on the 24th July 2021.
A private fee will be charged for standard consultation (whether it is face to face or telehealth) for non concession card holders as well as OSHC. (Black) Concession rates applies to under 16, pensioners and heath care card holders. (Red)
GP Mental Health Plans rates will apply as normal (see below.) GP Management Plans and Reviews (Care plans) on weekends will continue to be bulk billed.
As a result of the lockdown to the Greater Sydney region, Ashford Avenue Family Practice will be closed on Saturdays. We will continue to review the situation and hope to reopen on the 24th July 2021.
A private fee will be charged for standard consultation (whether it is face to face or telehealth) for non concession card holders as well as OSHC. (Black) Concession rates applies to under 16, pensioners and heath care card holders. (Red)
GP Mental Health Plans rates will apply as normal (see below.) GP Management Plans and Reviews (Care plans) on weekends will continue to be bulk billed.
Service Description |
Item Number |
Private Fee |
Medicare Rebate |
Out of Pocket Cost |
Level A: under 5 min |
3 |
$30.00 |
$17.90 |
$12.10 |
Level A Concession |
3 |
$30.00 |
$17.90 |
$12.10 |
Level B: between 5 and 20 min |
23 |
$66.00 |
$39.10 |
$26.90 |
Level B Concession |
23 |
$56.00 |
$39.10 |
$16.90 |
Level C between 20 and 40 min |
36 |
$106.00 |
$75.75 |
$30.25 |
Level C Concession |
36 |
$96.00 |
$75.75 |
$20.25 |
Level D: more than 40 min |
44 |
$147.00 |
$111.50 |
$35.50 |
Level D Concession |
44 |
$136.00 |
$111.50 |
$24.50 |
Private Billings for Dr Susan Sunwoo
Dr Susan Sunwoo is currently on maternity leave. She hopes to return towards the end of 2021,
Standard appointments with Dr Susan Sunwoo (whether it is face to face or telehealth) will be charged a private fee. These rates will also apply to those on OSHC. Standard consultations for those who are under 16, pensioners and health care card holders will continue to be bulk billed. Mental health plans and procedures will continued to be private billed as before (see below).
All patients who are eligibile for GP Management Plans, Reviews and Health Assessments with Dr Susan will continue to be bulk billed.
Dr Susan Sunwoo is currently on maternity leave. She hopes to return towards the end of 2021,
Standard appointments with Dr Susan Sunwoo (whether it is face to face or telehealth) will be charged a private fee. These rates will also apply to those on OSHC. Standard consultations for those who are under 16, pensioners and health care card holders will continue to be bulk billed. Mental health plans and procedures will continued to be private billed as before (see below).
All patients who are eligibile for GP Management Plans, Reviews and Health Assessments with Dr Susan will continue to be bulk billed.
Service Description |
Item Number |
Private Fee |
Medicare Rebate |
Out of Pocket Cost |
Consultation less than 5 minutes |
3 |
$31.00 |
$17.90 |
$13.10 |
Consultation between 5 and 20 minutes |
23 |
$61.00 |
$39.10 |
$21.90 |
Consultation between 20 and 40 minutes |
36 |
$101.00 |
$75.75 |
$25.25 |
Consultation more than 40 minutes |
44 |
$142.00 |
$111.50 |
$30.50 |
Initial Antenatal Visit |
36 |
$111.00 |
$75.75 |
$35.20 |
Routine Antenatal Visit |
16500 |
$66.00 |
$41.70 |
$24.30 |
Antenatal Visit at 28 weeks |
16591 |
$151.00 |
$126.15 |
$24.85 |
Mental Health Plan and Reviews
In order for you to receive a Medicare rebate on psychology visits, a GP Mental Health Plan is required. This plan will occur an out of pocket fee. These consultations require a minimum of 20 minutes as stated by Medicare.
Due to the pandemic, GP Mental Health Plans are available to existing patients of the practice via video consultation. If you have not been to the practice in the last 12 months or you are a new patient please ring 9774 3388 for further instructions.
Concession Rate applies to those who are under 16, pensioners and health care card holders.
In order for you to receive a Medicare rebate on psychology visits, a GP Mental Health Plan is required. This plan will occur an out of pocket fee. These consultations require a minimum of 20 minutes as stated by Medicare.
Due to the pandemic, GP Mental Health Plans are available to existing patients of the practice via video consultation. If you have not been to the practice in the last 12 months or you are a new patient please ring 9774 3388 for further instructions.
Concession Rate applies to those who are under 16, pensioners and health care card holders.
Service Description |
Private Fee |
Medicare Rebate |
Out of Pocket Cost |
GP Mental Health Plan (between 20 and 40 mins) |
$135.00 |
$94.75 |
$40.25 |
GP Mental Health Plan Concession Rate (between 20 and 40 min) |
$119.00 |
$94.75 |
$24.24 |
GP Mental Health Plan (more than 40 min) |
$197.00 |
$139.55 |
$57.45 |
GP Mental Health Plan Concession Rate (more than 40 min) |
$179.00 |
$139.55 |
$39.45 |
GP Mental Health Plan Review |
$110.00 |
$74.60 |
$35.40 |
GP Mental Health Plan Review Concession Rate |
$98.00 |
$74.60 |
$23.40 |
OSHC - Overseas Health Cover
Those with Overseas Health Cover will be charged an out of pocket cost of $15.00 Monday to Friday.
Those with Allianz can pay the gap at the time of the consult. This is because these insurance companies will reimburse the practice with the Medicare Rebate later.
Those covered by other OSHC including NIB or Bupa will be charged the OSHC Rate, and will need to approach the insurer to claim back the Medicare Rebate.
Those with Overseas Health Cover will be charged an out of pocket cost of $15.00 Monday to Friday.
Those with Allianz can pay the gap at the time of the consult. This is because these insurance companies will reimburse the practice with the Medicare Rebate later.
Those covered by other OSHC including NIB or Bupa will be charged the OSHC Rate, and will need to approach the insurer to claim back the Medicare Rebate.
Cancellation Fee Policy
While we understand things come up and you need to change your appointment, we ask that you call and cancel your appointment as soon as possible. This will allow us to free up appointment slots so other patients who require medical attention can be seen.
Those who fail to attend or cancel within 2 hours of their appointment will be charged a fee of $30.00. No further appointments can be made until the fee has been paid.
While we understand things come up and you need to change your appointment, we ask that you call and cancel your appointment as soon as possible. This will allow us to free up appointment slots so other patients who require medical attention can be seen.
Those who fail to attend or cancel within 2 hours of their appointment will be charged a fee of $30.00. No further appointments can be made until the fee has been paid.
Forms and Reports
Certain forms are not rebatable under Medicare. This is the law. These forms/reports include commercial driving forms, insurance forms, private health gym forms, insurance forms, return to work forms and medico-legal reports.
If you have a form to fill out, we advise you present the form to reception and they will advise on costs. Medico-legal reports are quoted on a per hour basis.
Certain forms are not rebatable under Medicare. This is the law. These forms/reports include commercial driving forms, insurance forms, private health gym forms, insurance forms, return to work forms and medico-legal reports.
If you have a form to fill out, we advise you present the form to reception and they will advise on costs. Medico-legal reports are quoted on a per hour basis.
Procedures
Certain procedures will incur an out of pocket cost. For more information on other procedures, please discuss with reception or your doctor.
Certain procedures will incur an out of pocket cost. For more information on other procedures, please discuss with reception or your doctor.
Service Description |
Private Fee |
Medicare Rebate |
Out of Pocket Cost |
Progesterone (Contraceptive) Implant Insertion |
$92.00 |
$31.50 |
$60.50 |
Progesterone Implant Removal |
$146.00 |
$53.75 |
$92.25 |
Progesterone Implant Removal and Insertion in Same Arm |
$173.00 |
$53.75 |
$119.25 |
