Billing Policy

We are a mixed billing clinic, meaning all consultations are time-based and attract a fee.
Bulk billing is available to;

• Children under 16 years who have a valid medicare card
• Pensioners and Health Care Card Holders
• Veterans Affairs Card Holders

Please provide a current Pension card, HCC, or DVA card otherwise private billing will apply.
All other patients are privately billed. Fees are payable at the time of consultation by cash, credit card or EFTPOS. For your convenience, your Medicare rebate is processed immediately back into your bank account. Ensure you have a current Medicare card available at the time of your consultation.

Summary of Regular Fees

Appointment type	Practice fee	Medicare Rebate	Out of Pocket
Standard consultation	$95	$43.90*	$51.10
Long consultation	$150	$84.90*	$65.10
Telehealth consult	$50-$95	$43.90*	$7.15-$51.10
Private Flu vaccination	$25	$0	$25
Commercial driving license	$180	$0	$180

*Rebate correct as of 9/7/25

Please ask our reception staff for any information regarding other private fees and Medicare rebate.

Investigations and Specialist referrals

We aim to inform patients of possible costs for services provided by our doctors prior to them being conducted. However, we may not know the costs for services to be provided by specialists, allied health, pathology, radiology etc. Where costs are not known, you will be encouraged and/or assisted to make enquiries.
If you indicate that the costs pose a barrier to the suggested treatment or investigation, alternatives can be discussed with your GP.

No-Show & Late Cancellation Policy

Effective Date: 8 October 2025

Purpose

At Culcairn Mediclinic we are committed to providing high-quality care and ensuring that appointment times are available to all patients who need them. To help us achieve this we have implemented the following policy regarding missed appointments and late cancellations.

Cancellations

• We understand that situations arise in which you must cancel your appointment. Please notify us at least 4 hours before your appointment if you cannot attend.

• You may cancel by calling the clinic on 02 6062 2755 between 8.30am – 5.30pm Monday – Friday or via Hotdoc.

No-Show / Late Cancellation Fee

• If you miss your appointment without notice, a $40 fee will be charged.
• This fee is not covered by Medicare or private health insurance and must be paid before scheduling any further appointments.

Special Circumstances

If you have an emergency or unforeseen circumstances, please contact us as soon as possible. Consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis, at the discretion of management.

Repeated No-Shows

Frequent failure to attend appointments may require you to prepay for future bookings or result in discharge from the practice.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Your understanding helps us provide better care for all our patients.

By booking with Culcairn Mediclinic, you acknowledge and agree to follow this policy.

If you have any questions, please contact us on 02 6062 2755.

how to prepare for virtual GP appointments

Communication Policy

The practice discourages the use of email as it is not always manned or answered in a timely manner.

Doctors are unable to accept phone calls while consulting. If you need to speak to your doctor our staff will advise them of your call and it will be returned at their earliest convenience. The practice uses SMS to deliver electronic scripts, appointment reminders and recall reminders.

Email Policy

Communication with patients via email is conducted with appropriate regard to the Privacy Laws relating to health information and confidentiality.

Email to fax correspondence where possible is password protected.

All incoming emails will receive the following ‘auto responder’ – “If this is a medical emergency please call triple zero. This email address is not regularly monitored. There is a risk that important clinical information may be missed or not picked up in a timely manner. Patients should carefully consider the issue of security before sending medical information via unencrypted email. If your enquiry is in relation to a general enquiry, an appointment or to discuss clinical issues please telephone our reception staff on (02) 6062 2755” during our business hours.

Open Disclosure

Open disclosure is defined in the Australian Open Disclosure Framework as, ‘an open discussion with a patient about one or more incidents that resulted in harm to the patient while they were receiving healthcare’. Culcairn Mediclinic actively promotes Open Disclosure. For more information go to Safety & Quality.

Privacy Policy

We strive to maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding your medical information. All personal and medical information collected, either hard or soft copy, is kept strictly confidential. Our staff only have access to information required to provide care to you. Patient information will not be released to third parties without the consent of the patient. For the safety of our staff and patients, surveillance cameras are used by the practice.

To access our Privacy Policy please click here.

Recalls And Results (in Practice Policies)

The practice will contact you for clinical recalls and routine reminders either by phone or SMS. Patients have the right to refuse to participate in recall and reminder systems.

Social Media Policy

At Culcairn Mediclinic our priority is to protect your privacy and ensure high‑quality, respectful care.

To keep our community safe:

• We do not communicate clinical information through social media.
• We cannot accept friend requests or personal messages from patients via staff personal accounts.
• We do not encourage or share patient testimonials, in line with Australian AHPRA advertising requirements.
• If you post publicly about your experience, we will not respond with any personal or clinical information to protect your privacy.
• For appointments, results, feedback, or concerns, please contact us directly by phone or email.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and confidential environment for all patients.