When you use a healthcare service you might have to pay a fee. The cost of services depends on the provider and what healthcare cover you have.
The main ways that people pay for healthcare in Australia are:
Most GP practices are privately run, and each practice will have different fees for appointments. Some GPs provide “bulk billing”, which means the service is free for holders of a Medicare card because the doctor will only receive the money from Medicare for the service provided to you. If the doctor bulk bills, you will be asked to sign a form so Medicare can pay your doctor for the service.
If the doctor is private billing, you will be asked to present your Medicare before the appointment and pay for your treatment immediately after the appointment. You may be able to get some costs back from Medicare Rebate or your private health insurance fund. Many health professionals will be able to claim with Medicare on your behalf and the rebate will be put into your bank account. Other times you will need to claim the rebate yourself.
Visit the Medicare website, or call on 132 011 for information on how to claim.
Ask about fees, costs and payment options
It’s okay to talk about the cost of a service, payment options and what out of pocket fees might be involved before you make an appointment. You can also speak to your GP (or any other referring health professionals) about your financial circumstances and needs when considering a specialist to refer you to.
Medicare is the government insurance scheme that helps people pay for healthcare in Australia.
Australian citizens, permanent residents and some visa-holders are covered by Medicare. You can check if you are eligible and learn how to get a Medicare number here.
The doctor may choose to pay some of all of the costs. If the doctor chooses to bulk bill, Medicare covers all the costs associated with that appointment or treatment. If the doctor does not, you will either need to pay the full costs, or the difference between what they charge and what we cover.
If you have to pay the full cost, you or the doctor can make a claim with Medicare for the amount of the service that is covered under the scheme.
If you have a Medicare card, it allows you to:
If your health issue is ongoing or not urgent, you might need to wait for weeks or months to get free healthcare at a public hospital.
Find out more about Medicare here.
If you do not have a valid Medicare card, unless you are an asylum seeker or covered by a reciprocal agreement, you are responsible for the full cost of your treatment. You will not be eligible for bulk billing. Some types of visa’s, such as student visa’s, require you to have private health insurance which you can use to pay for your treatment.
You can find information about what is covered with Canberra Health Services.
