Appointments
Standard appointment times are 15 minutes – but we prefer to be thorough, so if you have more than one problem, or are unsure of how long you will need, please book a long appointment – the gap fee is much the same as for a 15 minute appointment, so your out of pocket cost will be no greater.
Please note: A fee of $30 (not refundable through Medicare) may be charged if you fail to attend your appointment or neglect to cancel it at least two hours prior to the appointment time.
The 12-month rule for Telehealth
Since 20 July 2020, GPs and other medical practitioners working in general practice can only provide rebated telehealth where they have an existing and continuous relationship with a patient (also known as the 12-month rule). Patients can only access rebated telehealth services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) through their regular GP or practice.
This means patients are eligible for rebatable telehealth services from only if they have seen their GP or another medical practitioner face-to-face within the same practice at least once in the preceding 12 months. Exceptions include a patient isolating at home with COVID-19 and infants under 12 months of age.
Patients who are new patients to the practice will be required to have a face-to-face visit with a practitioner in the practice prior to being able to access MBS rebated telehealth items from that practice. This also applies to existing patients of the practice who have not had a face-to-face visit within the previous 12 months.
Patients can of course elect to have a non-rebatable visit – although this will apply to all aspects of the consultation. For example, if they request a mental health treatment plan, as you cannot claim an MBS item, the treatment plan will not trigger the psychology rebate.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by this Medicare policy which is beyond our control.
Opening Hours
Both Surgeries are open:
Monday-Thursday: 8am–6pm
Friday: 8am–5pm
Fremantle Family Doctors South St is open:
Every Saturday morning for all our patients: 8:30am–12pm
When we’re closed
After surgery hours care can be obtained through Night Doctor Home Visits locum service by calling 1300 644 483, or by attending the Emergency Department at Fiona Stanley Hospital Murdoch (public) or St John of God Hospital Murdoch (private).
Fees
Monday to Friday
At Fremantle Family Doctors we bulk bill all children under 12 years of age, Aged & Disability pensioners, and Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders. Other concession card holders are given a discount.
We request payment of your account in full immediately after your consultation. Accounts are not paid on the day will incur an additional $5 administration fee which is not rebatable by Medicare. The schedule below shows the cost of a consultation to you, after deducting the Medicare Rebate. These fees apply during normal working hours (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday).
| Consult | Fee | Rebate | Gap | Concession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brief | $61.40 | $20.50 | $40.90 | $60.90 |
| Standard | $89.40 | $42.85 | $46.55 | 62.85 |
| Long | $130.00 | $82.90 | $47.10 | 102.90 |
| Prolonged | $168.00 | $122.15 | $45.85 | $142.15 |
| Telehealth | $89.40 | $42.85 | $46.55 | $62.85 |
| Iron Infusion | $165.60 | $82.90 | 82.70 | – |
*Children under 12 are bulk billed. Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card holders, Aged pensioners & Disability pension card holders will be bulk billed. Other concession card holders will be billed at a reduced rate.
Out-of-Hours – Saturday Morning
To provide access to medical care after normal working hours we have an Out-of-Hours clinic operating on Saturday morning between the hours of 8:30 am to 12 noon (at the South Street practice). All consultations provided during these hours will be billed at a higher fee than normal hours.
There is no bulk billing on Saturdays (except for Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card holders). Children under 12, Aged pensioners & Disability pension card holders will be billed at the concession rate. Other concession card holders will be billed at a the private rate.
Note: all card holders are asked to present their card at each visit.