Update on Medicare Changes

When the COVID pandemic started, the Australian Government put extra payments in place to help GP practices see vulnerable patients without out of pocket costs.  As of Oct 1st the Government has removed this extra COVID-19 bulk billing payment to GP practices.

Because of this significant change to Medicare payments Eleanor Clinic will return to its usual billing policy as of today. We have written about the need for those fees previously. This is the only way we are able to keep our doors open and provide you with high quality, personalised care. As always, we will continue to bulk bill vulnerable families under DHS care from Tweddle, and charge a reduced fee for those with a Health Care or Pension Card. 

There will only be a single out of pocket cost for the day if you see us via a Telehealth appointment first and your doctor then asks you to attend the clinic for a face to face appointment on the same day. We will also continue to offer short consults for simple repeat prescriptions and lost pathology forms without any out of pocket fee.

If you are concerned about those Medicare changes please contact your local member of parliament – feedback is the way to drive behaviour in politics.

If you are going through current financial hardship please contact our practice manager, Di, via reception to make a time to discuss financial arrangements.

We thank you for your understanding and support.