Newcastle Family Practice is a private billing practice.
Our doctors may offer a reduced fee at their discretion. Reduced fees may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the consultation and the individual doctor’s billing arrangements.
Please note that some doctors consulting at Newcastle Family Practice are independent contractors and may charge differently from the standard fees listed below. If you have any questions regarding consultation fees, please contact the practice before your appointment.
Consultation Fees
| Consultation Type | Standard Fee | Reduced Fee – Pension Card Holders | Medicare Rebate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | $66.00 | $56.00 | $20.55 |
| Standard | $110.00 | $100.00 | $45.05 |
| Long | $185.00 | $165.00 | $87.10 |
| Extended | $255.00 | $205.00 | $128.35 |
Reduced fees are not guaranteed and remain at the treating doctor’s discretion. Fees may vary depending on the nature and complexity of the consultation.
Cancellation & Non-Attendance Fees
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes prevent patients from attending their appointments. However, late cancellations and missed appointments reduce appointment availability and impact our ability to provide care to other patients.
Due to an increase in late cancellations and non-attendance, the following fees apply:
- Late cancellation with less than 4 hours’ notice: $50.00
- Failure to attend – existing patient: $50.00
- Failure to attend – new patient: $100.00
We kindly ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment.
Credit Card Details & Appointment Policy
Newcastle Family Practice requires credit card details to be provided at the time of booking for all appointments.
This applies to new and existing patients and appointments booked online or over the phone.
Important Information
No payment will be taken at the time of booking.
Your card details will be securely held for payment purposes where applicable.
A cancellation or non-attendance fee may be charged to the card provided if you:
- Do not attend your appointment, or
- Cancel with less than 4 hours’ notice.
The applicable cancellation and non-attendance fees are outlined above.
Telephone Consultations & Medicare Information
For telephone consultations, the credit card provided at the time of booking will be used to process the consultation fee following your appointment.
Where you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, this will be processed following your consultation.
To be eligible to claim a Medicare benefit for a telehealth appointment, Medicare generally requires you to have had an in-person appointment for yourself at the practice within the previous 12 months.
If you have not attended the practice for your own in-person appointment within the last 12 months, you may need to book an in-clinic appointment before you are eligible to claim a Medicare benefit for a telehealth consultation.
Please note: Attending the practice with a child, family member or another person for their appointment does not count as an in-person attendance for you.
If you are unsure when you last attended for your own appointment, please contact our reception team and we will be happy to assist.
By providing your credit card details, you acknowledge and consent to these payment terms.
Medicare-Funded Health Assessments
A number of eligible health assessments may be fully funded by Medicare, including:
- Senior Health Assessments for patients aged 75 years and over
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Assessments
- Chronic Disease Risk Health Assessments for eligible patients aged 45–49 years
Eligibility requirements apply.
Repeat Prescriptions & Referrals
If you require a repeat prescription or referral, you can submit a request to your regular GP through our online booking website or the AutoMed app.
The fee for this service is $35.00.
All prescription and referral requests are subject to your doctor’s approval. Your doctor may require you to make an appointment if they feel a consultation is necessary before issuing a prescription or referral.