FAQ

1/50 North Shore Bvd
Burdell QLD 4818
P (07) 4758 7000
F (07) 4758 7007

How much is a consultation?

Our Standard Consultation Fee is $90.00 (1st July 2024)

Payment is required at the time of your Consultation, and in most cases, we are able to process your Medicare rebate on the spot using your savings or cheque account.

We accept payment by cash or card.


Do you bulk bill?

We are a Fully Private Billing practice.

As of November 2024 - Full private fees will be charged for Saturday clinic bookings.

No discounted rate will be offered for Pensioners, HCC or Children.

Our team value your health and wellbeing and recognise the importance of providing adequate time and attention to deliver optimal personalised care.

For various reasons mixed billing is no longer sustainable.

What this means:
For Pension Card Holders and children under 16 years of age, there will be an out-of-pocket fee for all time-based consultations.

Full-fee paying patients and Health Care Card holders will continue to attract out of pocket costs.

DVA and ATSI concessions will continue as per our current billing policies. 

We will continue to Bulk Bill for all Chronic Disease Management (CDM) item numbers - which includes Health Assessments, General Practitioner Management Plans (GPMP)/ Team Care Arrangements (TCA) and Reviews of these plans, as well as Home Medication Reviews (HMR) and Multidisciplinary Case Conferences.

Please talk to your GP to find out if you're eligible and how you can benefit from these services over the course of a year.

All other fees for services including Mental Health Care Plans and procedures (including Mirena insertion, excisions, and iron infusions etc.) will remain as they are.


Pension Card Holders (Blue - Current card must be presented at time of appointment)

  • $16.65 out of pocket, Monday to Friday (8:00am to 5:15pm)
  • $24.65 out of pocket after 5:15pm & Weekends
  • GAP $55.00 for excisions at ALL times

Health Care Card Holders (Current card must be presented at time of appointment)

  • $24.65 out of pocket at ALL times
  • GAP $65.00 for excisions at ALL times 

Private Patient (16 years and over)

  • $47.150 out of pocket at ALL times
  • GAP $85 for excisions at ALL times 

Children (15 years & under)

  • $16.65 out of pocket, Monday to Friday at ALL Times
  • $24.65 out of pocket on Weekends
  • GAP $55.00 for excisions at ALL times

Full Time Students (16 years and older)

  • $24.65 out of pocket at ALL times
  • GAP $65.00 for excisions at ALL times 

DVA & Aboriginal Torres Strait Islanders

  • Bulk Bill at All times

Out of pocket costs

Our fees are set well below recommended AMA rates to ensure they remain affordable.

The Actual Consultation Fee must be paid in Full prior to the Rebate being Processed.

Any additional procedures required will add a further Gap Fee however the maximum daily Gap is capped at $85.00 for Private, $65.00 for Health Care Card Holders and $55 for Pensioners.

Although the out-of-pocket expense increases in line with the Consultation time, we encourage patients to book longer appointments where you expect that extra time is required (such as complex conditions, multiple problems, depression and stress etc.)

Requesting the appropriate length Consultation at the time of booking, will assist us in running to time, ensuring shorter waiting times.

You will be required to rebook at another time if you have not booked the appropriate length appointment.

Payment

All accounts must be settled on the day of service, no accounts are issued.
Fees may be paid by cash or Card.


What other costs may I need to pay?

Our Nurse Led Clinics:

B-Dose Forte – Patients who have a standing order from one of our GP’s have the option of not needing to see the Doctor at each visit. You will be charged a fee of $5.00 for our Nursing team to administer your B-Dose Forte (you must have a standing order from one of our GPs in place, you will not see the Doctor at this visit)

Wound Care – Patients requiring regular dressings by our nursing team for Chronic long-term wounds have the option of choosing the quality of dressings in line with your budget. Dressings start at $5.00 which will cover the costs of basic dressings. You will not see a doctor at these visits.

You are of course free to purchase your dressings elsewhere, in which case you will not be charged for applying the dressing.

These fees apply to all Patients regardless of concession status.


Do your doctors do home visits?

Where it is safe, reasonable and clinically appropriate to do so, our doctors will offer Home Visits to our regular patients. Considerations include geographical, safety as well as whether it is clinically appropriate to do so.

Prior arrangement must be made with the individual Doctor and Home Visits do attract a fee.


What if I wish to Cancel or Reschedule an appointment?

We understand that sometimes life gets in the way, and you may not be able to make your appointment time. It is your responsibility to contact the practice with as much notice as possible to cancel your appointment to allow us to offer it to other patients.

Our reminder system is a courtesy only and not 100% reliable, ultimately responsibility to attend your appointment lies with you.

If you have booked online and/ or received an SMS, you need simply reply “N” to cancel or cancel online - 2 hours prior to your appointment.

If you simply fail to attend your appointment you will be charged $45.00 and will not be offered a further appointment until this is paid.

If you cancel your appointment within 2 hours you will be charged a $25.00 fee.

To avoid these fees and as a courtesy to your doctor and fellow patients, please always let us know. (it maybe you or someone you know that can’t get an appointment next time)


How do I contact a doctor when you are closed?

If you ring our practice after hours you will hear a recorded message giving the numbers of the services that provide afterhours care for our practice when we are closed.

  • FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL – 000
  • Hello Home Doctor
    Phone: 13 41 00
    www.hellohomedoctor.com.au
    Mon to Fri 6pm – 8am, Sat from 12 noon, Sun & public holidays 24 hours
  • MaterOne Emergency Department
    Fulham Rd, Pimlico
    Phone: 4747 4000
    Open: 7am to 10pm, 7 days per week
    Cost: Private Patients will be out of pocket $295.00 (there is no Medicare rebate for this fee)
    DVA Gold Card and Approved Workcover will not incur an out-of-pocket expense.

  • The Townsville University Hospital Emergency Department
    Phone:  4433 1111
    Open 24 hours

  • GP Help Line
    Phone: 1800 022 222
    Mon to Fri 6pm – 7:30am, Sat from 12 noon, Sun & public holidays 24 hours


Can I speak to a doctor over the phone?

Yes – with the introduction of Telehealth we are now able to offer appointment over the phone. You will need to book these the same way you would book a standard appointment.

(Standard billing policy applies to Telehealth Items)

We won’t interrupt a consultation for a phone call. It is our standard practice to have all requests to speak to a doctor, referred first to the nurse on duty. If you wish to speak with the Doctor you will need to book an appointment.

You can call and ask to speak to the nurse on duty regarding your test results. Depending on the tests performed and their urgency it can take 3 -5 days for us to receive your results.

The results can only be given over the phone if this has been notated in your chart and authorised by the doctor and only to the patient or the parent of a child under 16 years.

However, if there are any significant or concerning results a nurse will endeavour to contact you. It is best practice to book a follow up appointment at the time of your visit.


Can I get my results over the phone?

You can call and ask to speak to the nurse on duty regarding your test results. Depending on the tests performed and their urgency it can take 3 -5 days for us to receive your results. The results can only be given over the phone if this has been authorised by the doctor and only to the patient or the parent of a child under 16 years. However, if there are any significant or concerning results a nurse will endeavour to contact you.


What do I do if I have a complaint or suggestion?

If you have a problem, we would like to hear about it. We take your concerns, suggestions, and complaints seriously. Experience has shown that if you have a problem with one of our doctors it is best to speak with him or her first. If you are still unhappy or have a problem with a member of our team please email manager@northshoregp.com.au

The Practice Manager, North Shore General Practice, 1/50 North Shore Bvd, BURDELL QLD 4818

We feel that most things can be handled within the practice, however if you would like outside advise you can contact:

Office of the Health Ombudsman
Po Box 13281, George St Brisbane QLD 4003
Ph: 133 646