Billing Policy

North Coast Medical Centre is a Private Practice and full payment of fee maybe required on the day of your consultation. We accept payment for our fees via cash, EFTPOS and Credit Card (Amex is not accepted).

Due to changes in the 2023-24 Federal Budget and the indexation of Medicare, North Coast Medical Centre is pleased to be able to offer Bulk Billing for eligible GP consultations for local children 16yrs and under, Pensioners and those with a valid Health Care Card, that have registered with MyMedicare at North Coast Medical Centre.

Aboriginal and or/Torres Strait Islander people will be bulk billed under Medicare.

Non-Medicare patients will be required to pay the full fee at the time of their visit. A reduced rate is offered at the doctors descresion.

Patient Feedback

If you have any feedback or complaints, we would like to hear about it. Feel free to write down your feedback and place it in our suggestion box in the waiting room. If you have a complaint, please talk to your Doctor, or write a letter or email to the practice manager, who will respond to your feedback or complaint. All emails are to be directed to:

info@northcoastmedicalcentre.com.au

Practice Survey

Thank you to all our patient that participated in the practice survey.

We have listed to your feedback and endeavor to make those improvements.

We value your feedback

If, however, you wish to take the matter further and feel that you need to discuss the matter
outside the practice, you can contact:

Health Care Complaints Commission
Locked Bag 18, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
Phone: 9219 7444

Thank you to our patients for their valued feedback. We have taken into consideration your input, and endeavour implement any positive changes.

MyMedicare

When you register in MyMedicare, it will notify your general practice that you have chosen them as your regular care team.  Additional funding will be available from the government to help them provide the care you need.

MyMedicare patients will have access to:

• greater continuity of care with your registered practice, improving health outcomes

• longer Medicare Benefit Scheme (MBS) funded telehealth consultations with your GP

• triple bulk billing incentive for longer MBS telehealth consultations for children under 16, pensioners, and concession card holders, from 1 November 2023

• more regular visits from your GP and better care planning for people living in a residential aged care home, from August 2024

• connections to more appropriate care in general practice for people who visit hospital frequently, from mid-2024.

If you choose not to register in MyMedicare, you’ll still be able to access the same quality of care from your healthcare providers.

Results

Patients need to book a consultation to discuss results with the doctor to ensure quality care. Results are not given over the phone. If your doctor needs to discuss a specific result with you; you will be informed by text to take an appointment. With the Hotdoc reminder system you will be asked to click through the text to a link and follow the directions. To protect your privacy, you will need to verify with your name and date of birth.

Reminder System

Our practice is committed to preventative care. We will issue you with a reminder text offering you preventative health services appropriate to your care. If you do not wish to be part of this system, please let us know.

Communicating with your Practitioner

Messages can be left with reception staff in person, phone or email. Your message will be conveyed to the Doctor. Your doctor or the NCMC team will respond to your request as soon as possible. As we are a busy practice, please allow up to 4 working days for a response.

Personal Health Information

Your medical record is a confidential document. It is the policy of this practice to maintain security of all personal health information. NCMC takes all reasonable steps to protect all personal information from misuse, interference and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure.

A patient can obtain, or view a copy of their health records, by request (a fee may apply).

A summary of your health records is available at MyHealthRecord.gov.au help line: 1800 723 471.

Update Patient records

Please notify reception of any changes in your circumstances. Ensure we have your correct telephone number, address, email and Medicare Card.

Communication Barrier

Our practice offers a choice of access for language, or communication impairments, such as technology assistance and translator services. Please notify reception.

Prescriptions

Once you have completed your telehealth consult with the doctor, your script will be emailed/SMS the QR Code to you or to your chosen Pharmacy.