Bulk billing is a payment option under Australia’s Medicare system where the doctor or healthcare provider bills Medicare directly for the service. This means you don’t pay out of pocket. Medicare covers the full cost. It’s a way to make healthcare more affordable for Australians.
To benefit from bulk billing, you must meet certain Medicare eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements are:
- Being an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Being present in Australia
Some visa holders may also qualify. It's important to check your status to ensure you meet these criteria.
What is bulk-billing GP?
A bulk-billing GP is a general practitioner who bills Medicare directly for their services, meaning patients don’t have to pay. The doctor bills Medicare directly for the service, and the patient does not pay at the time of the appointment. These GPs are commonly available in clinics and telehealth platforms across Australia.
Benefits of bulk-billing
- It reduces costs for eligible patients, which is especially beneficial for low-income individuals and families.
- It helps you make informed healthcare choices. It can influence your healthcare decisions. Knowing your options can help you avoid unexpected expenses.
- It is easy to claim bulk billing and is usually done by the providers. Doctors or services directly bill Medicare for services provided, with zero cost passed to the patient, usually.
- Bulk billing promotes regular health visits and health checks. When costs are reduced, patients are more likely to seek timely care rather than delay due to cost concerns.
Considerations
- The availability of bulk billing is more prevalent in urban suburbs compared to rural regions. But via telehealth, these services can be accessed from anywhere in Australia.
- Patients should always verify billing practices before attending a medical appointment.
- Some clinics and telehealth services offer mixed billing. This means only certain services or patients are bulk billed. It's important to check this when booking an appointment.
- A valid Medicare card is required.
How it works with Hola Health
Hola Health offers telehealth services that are fully bulk-billed. This means:
- No payment upfront: If your service is Medicare bulk-billed, you won’t pay anything at the time of your telehealth consult.
- Doctor bills Medicare directly: Hola sends the bill straight to Medicare instead of charging you.
- No out-of-pocket fees: You pay nothing for that bulk-billed appointment.
Note: Bulk billing is only available if you have a Medicare card. Timing applies.
What Hola patients need to do
- Find the bulk-billing doctor services at Hola - Look for services on our website or app that are clearly marked as bulk billed. Check if bulk billing applies at your local time.
- Confirm your Medicare enrolment: You must be enrolled in Medicare to be bulk billed.
Find out more about bulk bill GP online or after-hours doctor bulk bill
