Angela Frederickson, Practice Manager: Our motivation for going fully bulk billing was a business decision based on the demographic and the ability to provide a service. The Bulk Billing Incentive has been a great icing on the cake for our doctors and has encouraged the longer term doctors to provide the service too.
Dr Chathuri Wijenayake, General Practitioner: I think it's a very good move by Medicare. The patients have no financial stress and they're putting their health as a priority with the bulk billing.
Rebecca Neilsen, Nurse: So since becoming a bulk billing practice, I think it establishes a greater morale out in the community. It allows people to recognise that their healthcare should not go untreated, and I think that has nothing but a positive impact.
Angela Frederickson: The process of becoming a fully bulk billing practice was very easy. We actually used the financial calculator on the Medicare website [health.gov.au/BBPIP]. There's lots of information about eligible item numbers and plenty of other information. If you're considering doing it, that's the place to start.
Dr Rangika Appulage, General Practitioner: I think every clinical practice in Australia should enrol in bulk billing.
Angela Frederickson: Our studies have shown their financial impact is actually going to be better for the doctors, because their books are full every day.
Rebecca Neilsen: I think it's an absolute privilege to be able to be one of the first clinics to start with this incentive. The positive feedback that we receive from our patients speaks for itself.
Angela Frederickson: It's a great thing to do and it's just a win-win for everybody.
Dr Rangika Appulage: If you need more information, you can get all the details from the bulk billing website [health.gov.au/BBPIP].