Life Stories Medical Clinic Northcote

Fees

As of 1 Jan 2024, Life Stories Medical will be adopting a private billing model.



Our fee schedule are as follows:


Item Out of pocket cost after Medicare rebate
Standard consultation gap (Face to face and telehealth) $40.00
Concession consultation gap (Face to face and telehealth) $30.00
Minor procedure gap Eg. Cryotherapy, Ear Toilet and Ear Curette $20.00
Major procedure gap Eg. Suturing, plastering, invasive skin procedures $50.00
Iron infusion 120.00

Consultation gaps will apply across all consult types, unless stated otherwise. In general, these include but are not limited to the following:

- Level A/B/C/D consultation items (face to face and telehealth)

- Mental health consults


Concession consultation gap fees are applicable to those who have and can demonstrate proof of a valid concession card issued from Services Australia (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card).


To avoid unnecessary issues, please kindly ensure that you provide reception with the most up to date concession card details. If your concession card status has expired or if proof of a valid concession card is unable to be demonstrated, a standard consultation gap fee will apply.


Payments are accepted via electronic funds transfer only.


Payments for services are to be made in full on the day of the consultation. 


If you are entitled to a rebate, the process would be as follows: (Eg. For a standard Level B consultation)

 

Step 1: Full payment of $81.40 is made (gap + rebate)

Step 2: Rebate processed through Medicare/Insurer.

Step 3: $41.40 is credited back to your bank account. 


Table of Medicare rebate rates for some commonly used item numbers (Please note that the figures may not be updated to reflect the most recent amounts)

Item Rebate
Standard consult (23) $41.40
Long consult (36) $80.10
Standard mental health consult (2713) $78.95

Further explanation in relation to rebates can be found below:


For Medicare Card Holders


We would be using the Medicare Webclaim system to facilitate your rebate claim. Please note that the total amount of the consultation (rebate + co-payment) would have to be paid first via electronic funds transfer. The rebate will then be processed by Medicare after and credited back into the bank account on file with Medicare. Medicare has quoted a rebate turnaround time of up to 2 business days, but this may take longer depending on some circumstances.


Please kindly ensure that your personal and account details are up to date with Medicare. If your details are not up to date with Medicare, we may not be able to process your rebate on your behalf and you would have to lodge the claim yourself. We would provide a copy of your invoice for you to submit to Medicare.


For non-Medicare card holders 


The total amount of the consultation (rebate + co-payment) would have to paid first, upon conclusion of the consult. An invoice will be provided to you to facilitate your claim from your insurer, if applicable. 


Workcover claims (for existing cases)


The total amount of the consultation (rebate + co-payment) would have to paid first, upon conclusion of the consult. An invoice will be provided to you to facilitate your claim from Workcover, if applicable. 


TAC claims (for existing cases)

 

The total amount of the consultation (rebate + co-payment) would have to paid first, upon conclusion of the consult. An invoice will be provided to you to facilitate your claim from TAC, if applicable. 


Consultations that do not attract a gap will be billed directly to TAC.


If we are not able to bill TAC directly, the total amount of the consult would have to be paid first upon conclusion of the consultation. An invoice will be provided to you to facilitate your claim from TAC, if applicable. 

 

Other Billable Entities


Please note that there are some services that may attract additional fees as they may not be covered by Medicare/insurance. These include but are not limited to medical reports, medical examinations and certain administrative tasks. 


Consumables and vaccines used in the process of providing medical care may be charged accordingly with the patient’s financial consent.


Transfer of medical records, part or whole, may incur a fee. This will depend on volume of information sent and medium of transfer. 


Please be advised that a failure to attend fee of $89.54 (the total cost of a standard consult incl GST) is applicable for each appointment that was missed or cancelled within an hour’s notice.


No further appointments can be made unless all outstanding fees have been paid.


Further information can be found in the Patient Agreement Document. 


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