How to reduce your medical bills

It’s our job to make sure you have all the information you need when going to hospital, including advice on how to reduce your medical bills. We’ve put together some tips that can help reduce or even eliminate your out-of-pocket costs.

Tip 1: Ask to be bulk billed

Bulk billing is when your specialist bills Medicare directly and accepts the Medicare benefit as the full payment, so you don’t have anything to pay.

Doctors can charge different rates to different people so it’s worth asking if they’ll bulk bill your consultations at the time of making your appointment.

If you require diagnostic tests like x-rays and ultrasounds, ask if they’re able to request bulk billing.

Tip 2: Register for the Medicare Safety Net

If you think you’ll need regular doctor’s appointments (GP and/or specialist) and diagnostic tests, consider registering for the Medicare Safety Net.

It can be particularly useful if you have complications with a chronic or neurological condition, are undergoing cancer treatment or having a procedure that requires ongoing care.

When you (or your family) spend over a certain amount in a calendar year, Medicare will give you a higher amount back, lowering your out-of-pocket cost for doctor’s visits and diagnostic tests like x-rays and ultrasounds. They’ll still cost the same, but Medicare will give you a higher benefit back, so you pay less.

For more information, discuss the Medicare Safety Net with your GP or visit the Medicare Benefit Scheme website.

Visit mbsonline.gov.au

Tip 3: Choose an Access Gap Specialist

Health Partners Access Gap Scheme is designed to lower or eliminate your specialist’s bill for an in-hospital procedure.

We have arrangements with thousands of medical specialists Australia-wide, who have agreed to either charge no out-of-pocket cost or a reduced amount for medical procedures.

Ask your specialist upfront if they participate in the Access Gap Scheme and, if they do, will they apply it to your situation.

Before your procedure have them quote you in writing the amount they’ll charge.

How can I find an Access Gap specialist?

• Call us on 1300 113 113
• Use our Specialist Search tool

Learn more about Access Gap

Tip 4: Get a quote

Before you consent to your procedure, ask your specialist for a written breakdown of all associated costs, including:

• Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers and fees
• Any out-of-pocket costs
• Ask for the fees of any other doctors involved, like an assistant surgeon or anaesthetist
• Check that booking or administration fees aren’t being charged

MBS item numbers are important as they’ll be your best indicator on what your out-of-pocket costs will be for your specialist. We’ll also need MBS item numbers to check if your procedure is covered under your Hospital policy.

Tip 5: Visit a Health Partners Participating Hospital

To help you save, Health Partners has agreements with most of Australia’s private hospitals. These agreements ensure that hospitals are charging a fixed amount. We’ll pay this amount in full on your behalf, meaning you’ll have no out-of-pocket cost for:

• Accommodation including food and meals
• Nursing and theatre fees including labour ward, intensive care and special care units
• PBS medications related to your admission while in hospital (excludes your regular medications)
• Government recognised prosthetics

If the hospital doesn’t have an agreement with us, you can still choose to be admitted, however you’re likely to have out-of-pocket costs for your hospital stay and other medical costs.

How can I find a participating hospital?

• Call us on 1300 113 113
• Use our Hospital Search tool
• Ring the hospital direct and ask if they’re a participating hospital

For more information about reducing your medical costs, download and use our How to pay less for your procedure flyer.

How to pay less for your procedure

The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.