APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Fountain Gate Medical Centre runs on an appointment system but will deal with emergencies promptly without an appointment.

Appointments with the doctor of your choice can be made in person, by phoning the surgery on 9704 8011 or online.

We normally allow 10 to 15 minutes per appointment, however, 6-week baby checks, mental health consultations & procedures require more time. Please advise the receptionist when booking your appointment if you require a longer consultation.

Cancellation fees may apply for less than 4 hours’ notice of cancellation or non-attendance. The fee does not qualify for a rebate by Medicare.

TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENT

Fees are the same as for face-to-face appointments, allowing you to decide which type of appointment suits you best. Please note to be eligible for a Medicare rebate for a telehealth consult you must have been seen face-to-face at the clinic within the last 12 months.

FEES

Fountain Gate Medical Centre has bulk billed as many patients as possible, for as many years as possible. Unfortunately due to the underfunding of general practice with stagnant Medicare rebates to patients and increasing business and staffing costs, we have had to make the difficult decision to reduce our bulk billing services to ensure we are able to continue to provide our usual comprehensive standard of medical care to our patients. 

The current Medicare rebate is well under 50% of what the Australian Medical Association (AMA) recommends as an appropriate fee for General Practice consultations. As has been in the media lately, bulk billing is unfortunately not financially viable for medical practices to remain open.

Current fee structure as of 9 November 2023

HEALTHCARE CARD AND PENSION CARD HOLDERS

	FEE TO PATIENT	MEDICARE REBATE	OUT OF POCKET COST
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8.00AM – 1.00PM	BULK BILLED	BULK BILLED	BULK BILLED
MONDAY – FRIDAY 1.00PM – 8.00PM	$72.00	$42.85	$29.15
MONDAY – FRIDAY AFTER 8.00PM	$84.95	$55.80	$29.15
SATURDAY	$81.85	$42.85	$39.00

PRIVATE PATIENTS

	FEE TO PATIENT	MEDICARE REBATE	OUT OF POCKET COST
MONDAY – FRIDAY 8.00AM – 8.00PM	$77.00	$42.85	$34.15
MONDAY – FRIDAY AFTER 8.00PM	$89.95	$55.80	$34.15
SATURDAY	$81.85	$42.85	$39.00

• If more than one family member is seen at the same time by the one doctor then only one person will be charged the out-of-pocket expense
• Consultations longer than 20 minutes attract a higher fee but the out-of-pocket cost is the same
• Procedures such as skin excisions and implanon insertions and removals incur a $55 procedure fee.
• Iron infusions require a 1-hour appointment and incur a $130.00 fee.