Billing Change

In the last couple of years, our doctors have done many consultations by phone to help avoid the spread of coronavirus. 
These consultations have routinely been bulk billed for all patients. Some readers may have noticed recent media reports about the increasing challenge of relying solely on Medicare funding to run a general practice.  While Medicare rebates have not increased for the last 8 years, the cost of providing GP services has risen every year. Here in Foster we are not immune to these pressures. The partners of Foster Medical Centre have decided that from September onwards, phone consultations will no longer be bulk billed (at this stage concession card holders and under 16s will be unaffected by this change). Gap fees charged will be as for face to face consultations and payable over the phone at the end of the call. Thanks for your understanding as we make this transition.