July 5th 2022
Dear Valued Patients,
For 14 years, Quakers Hill Family Practice has provided quality, fully bulk-billed medical care to the local community whilst making sure that we stay true to our mission of providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare. Over the years, despite the increasing costs of operating a small practice, we have resisted a movement to charge patients a gap fee.
For many years, Medicare rebates have failed to keep pace with inflation and do not reflect the cost of delivering high-quality general practice services. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommended rate for a consultation less than 20 minutes is $84.00. The Government currently only pays $39.75 for this consultation. Furthermore, the Government froze Medicare rebates for 4 years and then in 2017 began indexing them at just 1.4% per year. However, the cost of running a practice has continued to rise by 4-6% annually over the past 10 years. The rebates claimed by our practice must cover all our practice costs. These include, but are not limited to, employment and training of receptionists and practice nurses, rent, medical supplies, and equipment purchasing and maintenance, computer software, practice accreditation and insurance.
As such, we have had to make the difficult decision that offering a fully bulk-billed service is no longer viable and will therefore be transitioning into a mixed-billing practice from the 1st of August 2022.
A gap fee of $15 will apply to face-to-face appointments booked after-hours (5PM onwards) and during Saturdays. Telehealth appointments will attract a $10 gap fee for the above times.
Children under the age of 16 years, DVA card holders and other eligible concession cardholders will continue to be bulk-billed.
We appreciate that this is a significant change for our practice and are grateful for your understanding and for your continued support of Quakers Hill Family Practice.
Sincerely,
Your Quakers Hill Family Practice Team