Important Changes to Bulk Billing at Emerald Medical Centre
Posted September 30, 2024
Dear Patients,
We would like to inform you of an upcoming change to our bulk-billing policy at Emerald Medical Centre, effective from Monday, 14th October 2024.
All patients, doctors, nurses, and staff at Emerald Medical Centre are aware that Government support of Bulk Billing in General has degraded over the past 15 years. Emerald Medical Centre is a Private Medical Practice where each doctor sets their own fee structure. Patients who are bulk-billed receive a 50% discount, and this is no longer sustainable.
Although we have resisted taking steps to remedy government underfunding, we are now forced to make changes to our bulk-billing arrangements to retain our doctors, clinical and administrative staff, and continue to provide the excellent community care of which we are so proud.
Currently, our doctors offer bulk billing to Concession Card Holders and children under the age of sixteen from opening until 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. However, beginning Monday the 14th October, this discounted rate to eligible patients will be available only between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. All consultations, including Medicare, DVA, TAC, and Workcover outside of these hours, will be charged at the full private fee.
Doctors adopting the new bulk-billing policy are:
• Dr Kasuni Hematilaka
• Dr Johnathan Tham
• Dr Micaela Kemm
• Dr Safire Valentine
• Dr Nasir Bhuiyan
• Registrar doctors (Dr Eli Caliara)
Meanwhile, doctors continuing with the current policy (with no changes) are:
• Dr Nazmul Hoque
• Dr Vassili Lapchine
Telehealth phone consultations remain unchanged and will be privately charged regardless of the time.
Nurse led consultations such as routine injections & vaccinations (eg. scheduled childhood immunisations), wound dressings, cervical screening, care plans & health assessments, will continue to be bulk billed regardless of time Monday to Friday.
This unavoidable billing change will mean that patients who wish to be bulk billed – including concession card holders, children, DVA, Workcover, and TAC patients – must schedule appointments between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Any special considerations to your financial situation should be discussed directly with your doctor.
We understand that this is a significant change for some of our patients. You may wish to express your concerns to your local government representatives, as these changes have been driven by government underfunding of General Practice. We appreciate your continued support of Emerald Medical Centre as we navigate these changes. Our priority remains delivering high-quality care to our community.
Kind regards,
The Team at Emerald Medical Centre