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General Information 

Practice Fees (As of 1/11/2023)

IFMC is a private billing general practice.  Standard consultation fees are listed in the table below. Fees vary based on the length and type of consultation. The doctors are independent practitioners and billing rates are at the discretion of the doctor you have your appointment with.    

Prepayment is required for new patient appointments. 

Standard fees will apply to telephone consultations.

Weekend surcharges apply. 

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Please ask reception to assist in indicating fees for other services, such as medicals and weekend rates.

 

Fees are payable at the time of consultation by cash, EFTPOS or credit card (we do not accept American Express or Diners Club).  

Your claim can be electronically transmitted to Medicare automatically so that your rebate can be directly deposited into your bank account, if you have previously registered your bank details with Medicare. 

Bulk billing is at the discretion of the doctor that you see at the time of your consultation.     

If you are having financial difficulties, please do not neglect your health. Discuss this with your doctor or the practice manager.

Please be aware that referrals given for tests or consultations with external providers may attract an out of pocket expense

 

Please note:

  • It is a Medicare requirement that you present your Medicare card at the time of each consultation.

  • After hours rates apply before 8am on weekdays.

  • Weekend rates apply on Saturday and Sunday.

  • There is no Medicare rebate for Employment or Insurance Medicals.

  • Worker's Compensation consultations are billed at WorkCover approved rates.

  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) patients are billed directly to DVA.  Patients are asked to present their card at each visit. 

  • Aged pensioners or Health Care Card holders may be offered a discounted fee.

  • Patients are asked to verify all cards with each visit to confirm expiry dates and validate eligibility at the time of consultation. 

Appointments 

Appointments are made by calling the practice on (02) 4252 5200 or online through our website. IFMC uses HotDoc which can be accessed via the appointments page or the BOOK NOW ONLINE widget at the bottom of the screen. 

Consultations are by appointment only, however appointments are always available for urgent matters. please  call and the team will do their best to assist.

In-person appointments are preferred, however telephone appointments are available for patients who are isolating and at doctor discretion.  Please advise reception if you require a telephone appointment. Prepayment is required for Telehealth appointments. 

Patients who walk in will be triaged and allocated an appointment as appropriate.

The receptionists are trained to assess the urgency of medical problems.  They may need to ask you about the nature of your problem so they can help you determine when you need an appointment. 

The length of a standard appointment is 15 minutes.

It is important for other patients waiting that appointments run to the scheduled time. If you have a number of health issues or a complex issue to discuss, or are having a procedure then please ask reception to book a longer appointment.  If more than one person wishes to see the doctor please make separate appointments so quality care can be provided.

If you need to change or cancel your appointment, we do request 4 hours notice. Fees may apply for any cancellations or non-attendances. Please note, our SMS service is complimentary and if for any reason you do not receive an SMS reminder, the appointment is still the patients responsibility.

Please remember that many of the doctors consult from this facility on a part-time basis and are not present in the practice every day of the week. On some occasions Doctors may be absent on illness or personal leave, and you may not be able to see your usual doctor. The Receptionists are able to assist in discussing an appointment with another GP who will have access to your  medical information and who will be able to communicate with your usual GP when available to ensure continuity of care.

General Information anchor

Non Standard Appointments 

Please advise reception when booking your appointment if it is for something other than a standard consultation. 

 

Long (30 minute) appointments are recommended for certain consultations, including:

  • New patient appointments;

  • Procedures (including biopsies, excisions, Implanon insertion/removal and Mirena insertion/removal)

  • Mental Health consultations;

  • Travel Advice consultations;

  • Pre-Employment and Insurance Medicals;

  • Initial WorkCover and Third Party consultations;

Please bring all medical paperwork or forms with you to the consultation.  

Many organisations have specific forms that cannot be legally duplicated at the practice. 

Non Attendance and Cancellation

If you cannot attend an appointment we request 4 hours notice where possible otherwise you may be charged a fee. 

Our SMS confirmations are a courtesy service to our patients over 18 years old. If you do not receive an SMS, this does not mean you will not be charged a fee.

 

If you arrive late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule. 

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Please notify the practice as soon as possible if you will be late or if you need to reschedule your appointment.  We will do our best to accommodate you.

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Home Visits and Nursing Home Visits

Home visits may be arranged for established patients whose condition prevents them from attending the surgery.

Home visits are at the discretion of your doctor. Please call the practice on (02) 4252 5200 to arrange a suitable time. 

Please note that there may be an out-of-pocket cost associated with home visits.  

 

Many of the Doctors consulting from this facility have regular scheduled visits to local nursing homes including:

  • Coniston Nursing Home;

  • Hillside at Figtree;

  • Illawarra Diggers' Aged and Community Care;

  • IRT Links Seaside and;

  • Unanderra Care Services

  • Marco Polo Woonona and Farmborough Heights

Prescriptions 

Patients are encouraged to make an appointment for repeat prescriptions well before they run out of medication.

These consultations are important in order to review that the medication and dosage is the most appropriate for you.

 

It is not usual policy to issue prescriptions without appointments.  

Repeat prescriptions without appointment are only available to established patients for medications that your doctor has previously prescribed.  Prepayment is required for these requests, which will be processed at the time of your request with our Receptionist. You will need to provide the receptionist with the exact name and strength of the medication you need.

An in-person appointment is required for authority medications and opioid medications.  Lost prescriptions may only be re-issued by the doctor. Please provide 48 hours notice. A fee will be charged for this service, IFMC does not post prescriptions.

 

If you need a medication that was prescribed by a different doctor, specialist or hospital, or if you have not seen your doctor in the past three months, you will need an appointment to ensure quality of care is continued.  

Referrals 

Patients are encouraged to make an appointment before they require a referral.

These consultations are important in order to review you condition and ensure the best course of action is understood and regularly updated.

 

It is not usual policy to issue referrals without appointments.  

Repeat referrals without appointment are only available to established patients for referrals that your doctor has previously issued. Lost referrals may only be re-issued by the doctor.  Please provide 48 hours notice.  A prepaid fee will be charged for this service and you will be required to collect your referral from reception. IFMC does not post referrals.

 

If you need a referral to a specialist that you have not seen before, or if you have not seen your doctor in the past three months, you will need an appointment. 

 

Interpreters 

IFMC can assist you in organising a medically trained interpreter for your consultation. 

Family members may not be the most appropriate interpreters as they may not be always available or understand medical terminology. 

 

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