Our doctors are highly skilled
Our service is purposefully designed to deliver a higher quality of care than the prevailing medical centre model using the following approach:
- Generous appointments – our standard appointments are booked in 20 minutes slots (at least 33% longer than most practices, who generally offer 15-minutes or less for standard appointments)
- We never double book our lists which means we run on time
- Our caring GPs are all consultant-level RACGP specialists (not junior GP training registrars)
- We provide a welcoming, state-of-the-art facility with excellent service
Saltwater Medical is a doctor/family-owned private billing medical practice
Our experienced, consultant GPs spend more time with you to provide high-quality, personalised care, and they are supported by a team of dedicated nurses and administration professionals.
Because of our focus on providing high-quality care, we are unable to bulk bill for our services. Unfortunately, Medicare rebates are set well below the cost of delivering high-quality healthcare. Although we don’t bulk bill, we do provide a discount on our regular fees for concession card holders, children under 13 and DVA card holders. Please bring your Medicare card and concession/DVA cards to your appointment if you wish to access our discount fees.
The ever-widening gap - Medicare Rebate vs Inflation
1. https://www.privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/morrison-government-must-act-now-to-stop-australia-tax-on-common-medical-devices-driving-up-health-insurance-premiums/
2. https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/professional/general-practice-training-applications-have-dipped
3. https://www.ama.com.au/articles/ama-private-health-insurance-report-card-2021
What do your fees cover?
Our fees cover the cost of remunerating the doctors for their expertise gained through decades of training and experience. They also cover the cost of running the practice, including wages, rent, IT infrastructure, phone, internet, electricity, insurances, accreditation, medical consumables, medical equipment and much more.
Fee Schedule
Current as of 1 July 2024
New Patients
25 to 40 minutes
All new patients are booked into a long consultation for their first visit to our practice. A $50 deposit is required to secure a new patient appointment which will be deducted from the total fee payable on the day of your consultation.
Subsequent visits are booked according to the criteria set out in the various consultation types listed below.
Please fill out your New Patient Form PRIOR to attending your first appointment, OR, arrive at least 10 minutes before your first appointment to fill it out.
Regular Fee – $180
Discount Fee* – $145
Medicare Rebate – $82.90
Out-of-Pocket Cost~
$97.10 (Regular)
$62.10 (Discount)
Standard Consultation
Up to 20 minutes
For existing patients only. Suitable for a single standard issue e.g. ear infection, UTI, coughs and colds, Pap smear etc. You will be asked to book again if you have more issues to discuss.
If you wish to discuss mental health, please book a long consultation so we can provide comprehensive support.
Regular Fee – $106
Discount Fee* – $84
Medicare Rebate – $42.85
Out-of-Pocket Cost~
$63.15 (Regular)
$41.15 (Discount)
Standard Plus
Between 20-25 minutes
Suitable for when a standard consultation runs over by up to 5 minutes.
If you wish to discuss mental health, please book a long consultation so we can provide comprehensive support.
Regular Fee – $145
Discount Fee* – $120
Medicare Rebate – $82.90
Out-of-Pocket Cost~
$62.10 (Regular)
$37.10 (Discount)
Long Consultation
25 – 40 minutes
Suitable for patients with a complex issue; mental health concerns, or for patients with multiple issues.
Regular Fee – $180
Discount Fee* – $145
Medicare Rebate – $82.90
Out-of-Pocket Cost~
$97.10 (Regular)
$62.10 (Discount)
Prolonged
Greater than 40 minutes
For patients requiring a prolonged consult, likely for chronic disease management or multiple complex issues.
Regular Fee – $247
Discount Fee* – $195
Medicare Rebate – $117.40
Out-of-Pocket Cost~
$129.60 (Regular)
$77.60 (Discount)
Skin Checks and Skin Procedures
Consultation types vary for our specialised skin checks and skin procedures.
We have a dedicated Saltwater Medical Skin Cancer Clinic offering a suite of advanced skin services, including comprehensive skin checks, procedures, and treatments.
Our skin cancer service is delivered by our trusted and highly experienced Saltwater Medical GPs, and is backed by a significant investment in the latest diagnostic tools and equipment.
Fees vary
Due to the advanced training and skills of our doctors and the use of specialised equipment and additional nursing support, fees for our specialised skin checks and procedures are higher than our standard consultation fees.
Learn more about the services offered by our Skin Cancer Clinic
GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
Up to 40 minutes
For patients requiring a co-ordinated plan from a GP to access Medicare subsidies to see a psychologist for up to 6 sessions per calendar year.
Regular Fee – $180
Discount Fee* – $145
Medicare Rebate – $103.70
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$76.30 (Regular)
$41.30 (Discount)
Review of GP Mental Health Treatment Plan
Up to 40 minutes
For patients requiring a review of an existing plan to access further Medicare subsidies to see a psychologist for up to an additional 4 sessions per calendar year.
Regular Fee – $180
Discount Fee* – $145
Medicare Rebate – $81.70
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$98.30 (Regular)
$63.30 (Discount)
Chronic Disease Management Plan
Up to 40 minutes
Includes time with a Nurse and the Doctor
For complex and chronic disease management requiring a GP Management Plan & Team Care Arrangement to access Medicare subsidies to see Allied Health professionals for up to 5 sessions (calendar year).
Regular Fee – $350
Discount Fee* – $340
Medicare Rebate – $294.60
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$55.40 (Regular)
$45.40 (Discount)
Review of Chronic Disease Management Plan
Up to 40 minutes
For review of an existing GP management plan and / or Team Care Arrangement.
Regular Fee (per review) – $110
Discount Fee* – $105
Medicare Rebate – $82.10
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$27.90 (Regular)
$22.90 (Discount)
Iron Infusion
Booked with the Doctor and a Nurse - Up to 1 hour
For patients requiring IV iron administration as determined through prior investigations by a doctor at Saltwater Medical. Administered by the doctor and fully supervised by the practice nurse.
NOTE: Ferinject (the iron) needs to be prescribed at a prior consultation, filled at a pharmacy beforehand and brought to your procedure.
Regular Fee – $345
Discount Fee* – $310
Medicare Rebate – $82.90
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$262.10 (Regular)
$227.10 (Discount)
Insertion of Mirena or Copper IUD
Booked with the Doctor and a Nurse - Up to 1 hour
NOTE: The IUD needs to be prescribed by the GP at a previous consultation, then filled at a Pharmacy by the patient before the procedure can be booked. Removal and insertion, or just removal of an IUD can also be arranged.
Regular Fee – $350
Discount Fee* – $320
1Medicare Rebate – $120.50
Out-of-Pocket Cost
$229.50 (Regular)
$195.50 (Discount)
Treatment Room and Consumable Fees
Various procedures and consultations attract a treatment room fee, which is in addition to the Drs consultation fee. These fees are payable to the practice to recover the cost of nursing support and consumables (dressings, sutures, instrument trays, lignocaine etc.).
Biopsy – $30
Simple Excision – $55
Advanced Excision – $70
Complex Excision – $85
Standard Dressing – $10
Advanced Dressing – $20
Complex Dressing – $30
Iron Infusion – $35
Implanon – $30
Mirena/IUD – $20
Treatment room and consumable fees do not qualify for a Medicare rebate.
Discount Fees
* Our discount fee applies to Concession/DVA card holders and children under 13. Your concession card must be sighted on the day of your consultation.
Mental Health Consultation + Separate Urgent Medical Issue in the same consultation
~ If you need to discuss mental health issues AND see the GP for another separate urgent medical issue, you may be charged an additional item number (2713). This is due to the way Medicare requires item numbers to documented and it may increase the overall consultation fee listed above. However, once you receive your Medicare rebates, your ‘out-of-pocket’ cost will be the same.
Non-Attendance
If you fail to provide 4-hours’ notice of a cancellation you will be charged a non-attendance fee of $50 which is payable before you (or someone else in your family group) can book further appointments. Non-attendance fees are not refundable from Medicare.
New patients who fail to attend a confirmed appointment may not be permitted to book further appointments.
Late-Attendance
We make every effort to run on time, and we expect patients to also attend appointments with punctuality, otherwise you will cause the doctor to run late for other patients. If you arrive more than 5-minutes late for your appointment you may be required to reschedule and pay a non-attendance fee of $50 before you are able to book further appointments.
