Australian healthcare offers a unique bulk billing medical service whereby you can access clinical treatments at no cost. It simply means that you don’t have to pay a fee to get yourself tested; rather, the doctor you visit bills Medicare directly. So, you can be spared out-of-pocket expenses and can avail of medical attention as and when needed.
To take advantage of this patient-friendly system, you need to start searching online for a “medical clinic near me” that provides bulk billing facilities. To be eligible for bulk billing, you must be registered with the Australian Medicare program and own a Medicare card.
How does Bulk Billing work to your Advantage?
When you book an appointment using this card, you won’t have to pay any charges for the services, provided you visit a physician under the bulk billing system. However, not all GPs near you will offer bulk billing services; some may opt for private billing. If you don’t have to pay anything to visit a GP, it means you have been bulk-billed and the doctor will send the invoice to the government. He gets the MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule) rate for full fees instead of any fees from you.
If however, you have not been bulk-billed, it means you have a “patient account” whereby you can use Medicare for getting back some amount from the fees you have been charged. The amount of fees that cannot be deducted from Medicare benefits is the “gap payment” or your out-of-pocket expenses. So, to enjoy your Medicare benefits, it’s advisable to search for facilities that offer bulk billing.
How can you Claim Medicare Benefits?
To do this, you can either submit the claim at the doctor’s office or through Medicare Online. This is possible via the Medicare app. It’s not only beneficial but also convenient because you won’t have to physically collect the cash or get a check; benefits are transferred to your bank account directly.
How to find Bulk Billing Services:
It’s important to understand that not every doctor’s clinic will provide bulk billing. You should do some background checks to see which health practitioners do so. You could either write to them by email or call directly to find out in detail. If bulk billing is provided by a facility, you could get coverage for a GP appointment or appointment with a specialist, scans and X-rays, eye tests by optometrists, and pathological tests. It’s recommended that you call the clinic in advance to know if there are any additional services. The staff is typically more than willing to guide you through the process and inform you about any out-of-pocket expenses.
You must remember that Medicare will not offer coverage for all kinds of services, for instance, physiotherapy. Moreover, you shouldn’t expect Medicare to bail you out when you use multiple services during the same GP appointment. Only holders of concession cards, retired people, and kids below a specific age may be allowed to enjoy these benefits. If your physician isn’t ready to accept Medicare benefits as “complete” payments for his services, you may not be eligible for coverage.
When you are provided with an account for visiting doctors that are not under the bulk billing system, you fall in the category of private billing. This is a combination of privately-made payments and Medicare benefits. In short, you pay for the services upfront and claim reimbursement later. This is covered by Medicare and patients’ private health funds.
