Private Practice: Why Our Billing Policy Remains the Same
From 1 November 2025, the Federal Government will introduce new incentives to encourage general practices to bulk bill all patients. At Hunters Hill Medical Practice, we’ve carefully reviewed these changes and will continue with our current private billing model.
Our Focus: Quality, Not Speed
Our goal has always been to provide thorough, high-quality medical care — not quick consultations. While the new government incentives are a positive step, they still do not reflect the true cost of delivering care with the time, attention, and expertise our patients deserve.
The Realities of Running a Practice
The cost of running a high-quality medical practice in Sydney is significant and very different from operating in other parts of Australia. Our fees must cover:
- Highly trained and experienced doctors, nurses, and staff
- Rent, utilities, and accreditation costs
- Modern equipment, infection control, and technology
- Continuous professional education and compliance requirements
Even with the new incentives, the Medicare rebate still falls well short of the true cost of providing this standard of care. Operating entirely through bulk billing would mean running at a loss — something no practice can sustain without compromising quality or viability.
Supporting Quality GPs
Attracting and retaining skilled, dedicated GPs is one of the biggest challenges in Australian healthcare. A sustainable billing model allows us to offer fair remuneration and professional support, helping us keep excellent doctors — the same ones who know your history, your family, and your story.
Why Flexibility Matters
The new program requires practices to bulk bill every eligible service for every patient — an “all-or-nothing” approach. That removes flexibility to provide longer or more complex consultations for patients who need extra time and care.
What This Means for You
By maintaining our current billing structure, we can continue to:
- Spend the time each patient needs
- Maintain longer, more comprehensive consultations
- Invest in equipment, training, and technology
- Keep highly skilled staff
- Be here for your family for years to come
We will continue to bulk bill certain eligible services such as health assessments, but only for patients registered with HHMP under the MyMedicare program.
Patient Advocacy and Sustainability
We understand healthcare costs are an important concern. Our fees remain transparent, and we process your Medicare rebate instantly. If you believe that rebates should better reflect the true cost of care, your voice as a patient is powerful — we encourage you to share your views with your local Federal Member of Parliament.
Thank you for your continued trust in us. We remain committed to providing exceptional, sustainable, and personal medical care for you and your family.
Warm regards,
The Team at Hunters Hill Medical Practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren’t you joining the new bulk billing program?
The new incentives don’t fully cover the cost of providing comprehensive medical care. Maintaining a private billing model ensures we can deliver the time, quality, and continuity of care our patients expect.
Doesn’t the new program mean you’ll be paid more?
Yes, slightly — but still below the real cost of a consultation. The scheme also requires 100% bulk billing for 100% of patients, leaving no flexibility for complex or extended consultations.
Are you just being greedy?
No. This is about sustainability, not profit. If we bulk billed every visit at the current rebate, we couldn’t afford to maintain our staff, facilities, or the quality of care that defines HHMP.
Will any patients still be bulk billed?
Yes, some eligible services such as health assessments will continue to be bulk billed for patients registered with HHMP under MyMedicare. We do not bulk bill immunisations or general consultations.
Why does billing vary between clinics?
Every practice faces different costs — especially when it comes to rent, staffing, and overheads. Running a practice in Hunters Hill, Sydney, for example, has a very different cost structure (for example rent) than in other locations.
What if other clinics start bulk billing everyone?
Each practice makes choices based on their costs and priorities. Our model allows us to focus on quality, continuity, and adequate consultation time — not rushing through appointments.
Will you reconsider if things change?
We regularly review our billing structure. If future Medicare rebates truly reflect the real cost of care, we would certainly reconsider.
What if some patients decide to leave?
We would be sad to see any patient go, but we understand that every family must make choices that work best for them. If you do choose to move to another clinic, we’ll make the transition easy — we can provide your health summary and records promptly, and we’ll continue to support your ongoing care in any way we can.
Questions or comments?
We thank you for reading this information. If you would like more information or have any questions please call us on 9817 2080 or email [email protected]
