Bulk Billing and Medicare: What You Need to Know
No changes to our billing policy
You may have heard about upcoming government changes to Medicare bulk billing incentives. While these announcements are receiving attention, they will not take effect until 1 November 2025.
At this stage, our practice billing policy remains unchanged.
What’s happening with Medicare?
The Australian Government has announced that bulk billing incentives will increase from 1 November 2025. These incentives are aimed at supporting GPs who bulk bill eligible patients, such as:
- Children under 16
- Pensioners
- Concession card holders
However, these changes are not yet in effect, and individual practices will continue to set their own billing policies.
FAQs
Are there any changes to billing now?
No. The government changes will not begin until 1 November 2025. Until then, our current billing policy remains the same.
Will your clinic bulk bill me after 1 November 2025?
We’ll review the impact of the changes closer to the implementation date. For now, there are no planned changes to our billing structure.
Why do GPs charge a gap fee?
Medicare rebates do not always cover the full cost of providing care. These fees help cover staff wages, rent, equipment, and other essential clinic costs. Charging a gap fee ensures we can continue offering safe, timely, and quality care.
If you'd like to learn more about the government’s upcoming Medicare changes, you can read the RACGP’s official update.