Dear Patients,
As with all small business, at this time of year, we need to review our fee structure.
We have faced increasing running costs, above that of the standard CPI. The government rebates, on the other hand, have not kept pace with even CPI, the government only making token increasing for the patient rebate, or the amount you receive, for our services. Since 2015, there has been a concerted effort by consecutive governments to “defund “ the rebate patients receive.
Unfortunately, this means further out of pocket expenses for you, our patients.
General Practices are struggling to remain open, with many practices closing their doors. Many practices are only viable due to “top up: subsidies”, which few practices can attract.
Currently the Medicare rebate represents less than half of the value of the service we provide.
We also need to explain that much of our work is completed behind the scenes, before and after your consultation. We have contracted AI services + continue with leading edge technologies to improve efficiency + ensure data security.
Our doctors feel that spreading our services thinly, just to provide a quick service to as many patients as possible is not good practice.
We can only provide “unhurried whole person care” through higher fees.
In summary, we can only do our job safely in a setting where the consultations are not rushed and both doctor and patient mutually agree that your health and time with your GP is a valuable investment. Study after study shows having a regular GP relationship improves your health outcomes and saves the community many dollars by keeping patients out of hospital.
SO, Having a relationship with your regular GP improves your health outcomes and saves the community health dollars
Our fees are currently below the AMA fees recommendations.
Our fee schedule is time based
0-5 minutes $65
6-10 minutes $100
11-19 minutes $110
20-29 minutes $175
30-39 minutes $196
40-59 minutes $265
60+ minutes $330
This fee structure is for a standard consultation, but for a more specialised consultation such as womens health/menopause/skin checks it may attract a different fee.
The practice offers a discount for pensioners and health care card holders. Medicare rebate can be processed at the time of your appointment.
General Practitioners have chosen their career because of a desire to serve the community and our patients. The changes are driven for the need to remain viable rather than for profit.
Our Doctors ask you to join them in a commitment to quality care and mutual responsibility.
THANK YOU for your support.
YOUR DOCTOR
BERRY MEDICAL CENTRE