Bulk billing (Mediguide: section 5)
If a practitioner agrees to the bulk billing method, patients assign their right to a benefit to the practitioner as full payment for the medical service. The practitioner (or any other person or company) cannot make any additional charge for the service. This means that if the practitioner bulk bills, the patient cannot be charged a booking fee, an administration fee, a charge for bandages or record keeping, or a charge by the practitioner’s service company. It is a legal requirement that the assignment of benefit form be signed by the patient only after the service has been provided and the form completed. A copy of the completed assignment form must be given to the patient.
Additional bulk billing incentives are available for general practitioners who bulk bill Commonwealth concession patients and children under 16 years. To receive the payment, medical practitioners need to claim a Medicare Benefits Schedule item in addition to the relevant item for the professional service provided to the patient.
For more information visit the Medicare Australia website or call 132 150*.
* Local call rates. Normal mobile and public phone charges apply.
Last updated: 28 May, 2008