Consultation Fees

Cairns Health Collective is a privately billing medical centre. Some doctors may bulk bill eligible concession card holders and children under 16 during normal business hours, Monday to Friday, at their discretion. DVA patients are bulk billed.

Some consultations, including ADHD assessments, occupational medicals, aviation medicals, reports and other specialised appointments, may incur different fees. These fees depend on the doctor, appointment type, complexity and time required.

Why does my GP charge a fee?

General Practitioners in Australia are private doctors. They are not employed by the government and are responsible for running their own medical businesses.

The Medicare rebate is a partial reimbursement from the government to the patient. It does not cover the full cost of providing high-quality medical care. Doctors and medical centres also have significant operating costs, including clinical staff, reception support, nursing care, equipment, accreditation, insurance, cleaning, technology, medical supplies and administration.

Private billing allows doctors to spend appropriate time with patients, maintain high standards of care and continue offering a reliable local health service.

Standard consultation fees

The fees below are a guide to standard consultation fees. As independent medical practitioners, doctors may set their own fees. Please speak with reception or your doctor if you would like to confirm the expected fee for your appointment.

Please note: Medicare item numbers are selected according to Medicare requirements. If your consultation extends beyond the time booked, a different fee and Medicare rebate may apply.

Specialised consultations

ADHD consultations, occupational medicals, aviation medicals, reports and other non-Medicare rebateable consultations are priced according to complexity and time required.

As these appointments are often longer and more complex, they may require payment at the time of booking. A cancellation fee may apply if you do not attend or cancel with insufficient notice.

Please ask reception or your doctor for an indication of the expected fee before booking.

Booking the right appointment length

Please book the appropriate appointment length for the number and complexity of issues you would like to discuss.

If you have multiple concerns, complex health needs, mental health concerns, paperwork, forms, care plans or medication reviews, a longer appointment may be required.

Booking the correct appointment length helps your doctor give you the time and attention you need and helps reduce delays for other patients.

Other fees

Facility fees

A facility fee may apply for procedures or services that require additional equipment, materials or clinical resources.

Examples may include:

• Biopsies, excisions and minor surgical procedures
• ECG and spirometry
• Ear syringing
• Dressings, sutures, local anaesthetic or cryotherapy

Your doctor or the reception team can let you know whether your appointment is likely to attract a facility fee.

Non-attendance and cancellation fees

Failure to attend an appointment or cancel with less than 12 hours’ notice may incur a non-attendance fee, usually equivalent to the consultation fee or as directed by the doctor.

For ADHD consultations, occupational medicals, aviation medicals, reports and other complex non-Medicare rebateable appointments, at least 24 hours’ notice is required. If you do not attend or cancel with insufficient notice, a cancellation fee up to the full consultation amount may apply.

This policy is in place because appointments cancelled at short notice are difficult to offer to another patient.

Payment and outstanding accounts

All fees are payable on the day of service.

Accounts not paid within 7 days may incur a $35 administration fee. Emergency care will not be refused, however routine appointments may not be available while an account remains outstanding.

Financial support

Please speak with us if you are experiencing financial difficulty. Where appropriate, we encourage patients to make use of the Medicare Safety Net, PBS Safety Net and Chronic Disease Management plans to help reduce annual healthcare costs.

Patients may also be eligible to register with MyMedicare, which can help support more connected and ongoing care with their regular general practice.

Appointments

Consultations are by appointment. Emergencies will be triaged by our nurse and seen according to clinical urgency.

“`