This is a private billing practice. Reception will tell you the fee for an initial or review consultation when you book, and it is payable on the day of your appointment. A valid referral is required for a Medicare rebate; without one, the full fee applies with no rebate.
The pregnancy management fees covers the planning and coordination of your pregnancy care, after-hours availability, and attendance at your birth. It is separate from individual antenatal consultation fees and is payable at 18-20 and 28-30 weeks .
A portion of this fee attracts a Medicare rebate. Your health fund may also contribute, depending on your policy. The exact amounts are set out in your written estimate.
For an operation or birth you will usually receive accounts from several providers. Only the first is issued by this practice:
The practice cannot quote other providers’ fees, but will tell you who they are so you can ask them directly before the day.
Before any procedure, operation or pregnancy care package you will receive a written estimate showing the item numbers, the fee, the expected Medicare rebate, any health fund benefit and your out-of-pocket amount. You are asked to sign and return it before care proceeds.
If the clinical situation changes — for example, if more is found at operation than expected — the account may differ from the estimate. Where this is foreseeable it will be explained in advance. An estimate also assumes the Medicare and health fund details you have given us are current, so please tell reception if your health fund, level of cover, or Medicare details change — your rebates and out-of-pocket cost may change with them.
Payment is accepted by card or electronic transfer on the day. Medicare rebates are usually processed on the spot into your nominated bank account. Once your family reaches the Medicare Safety Net threshold, rebates for out-of-hospital services increase — if you have a partner or children, please make sure your family is registered with Medicare, as registration is not automatic for all couples.
Please give at least one business day’s notice if you cannot attend, so the time can be offered to someone else. A fee may apply to appointments missed without notice. Fees are waived where there are genuine reasons — please just tell us.
If a fee would cause you real difficulty, please raise it with reception before your appointment. Payment plans, reduced fees and referral into the public system can all be discussed confidentially and without judgement.