How does bulk billing work?

MBChB, CCBST, AMC, General Practitioner, 28+ Years of Experience

Published in December 2025

When you visit a doctor or use a telehealth service that bulk bills, you simply present your Medicare card, as the consult is bulk billed to Medicare. The clinic or telehealth service sends the bill to Medicare, and the government pays them directly. You won’t receive an invoice, and there’s no payment required from you for eligible services.

What to know before your appointment

Check if the service is bulk billed: Not all providers or services are bulk billed, so it is best to ask beforehand.
Check for out-of-pocket costs: If a provider does not bulk bill, you will pay a fee and then claim a portion of the cost back from Medicare. The difference is your "out-of-pocket" or "gap" payment.

Can I get a bulk-billing GP consultation through Hola telehealth doctors?

Yes, Hola offers bulk-billing telehealth doctor services, available 24 hours. This means that there is no out-of-pocket expense for the patients eligible for the service they choose. It is important to note that not all services are bulk billed with Hola. Bulk-billing GP consultations through Hola telehealth doctors include:

After-hours GP consults and Urgent care— at a set time, daily
Online script consults for listed medications —during select hours, daily
Mental health care plans — available 24/7 with no timing restrictions

All you need is a Medicare card.