Medicare’s got the bill for your next GP visit
About bulk billing
Bulk billing means you don’t pay anything when you see a GP, because Medicare covers the full cost of the service.
This allows Medicare-eligible patients to access free health care, making it easier to get the care you need, when you need it.
Not all GPs bulk bill all the time. It’s up to your doctor to decide whether they bulk bill a service. However, at Medicare Bulk Billing Practices, all Medicare-eligible patients can access bulk billed appointments.
This could save you and your family hundreds of dollars a year in out-of-pocket costs.
Before you see a GP, it’s a good idea to check if they are a Bulk Billing Practice, or ask if they will bulk bill you or if there will be any out-of-pocket costs.
What if my doctor does not offer bulk billed services?
If you attend a private or mixed-billing clinic, you may not be bulk billed. This means you will have to pay the full fee upfront at the time of your appointment. If a Medicare benefit applies to the services, you can claim a refund from Medicare.
For more information about getting Medicare benefits, visit the Services Australia website (https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare).
How to access bulk billing
Step 1: Check if your GP offers bulk billing. Find a bulk billing clinic near you by visiting health.gov.au/bulkbilling (https://www.health.gov.au/bulkbilling). Medicare Bulk Billing Practices will also display bulk billing signage at the clinic.
Step 2: Visit your GP. Remember to take your Medicare card to your appointment.
Step 3: Your GP submits a claim directly to Medicare for the service provided. To allow for this, you give your consent by signing an Assignment of Benefit form.
Step 4: Medicare pays your doctor directly, so you don’t need to pay anything.
GP services that are commonly bulk billed
- Consultations, including telehealth services
- GP chronic condition management plans and reviews
- Mental health treatment plans
- Health assessments.
Find a bulk billing practice near you
To find a bulk billing GP near you visit health.gov.au/bulkbilling
