The best bulk billing doctors in Canberra

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Looking for a bulk billing doctor? Read through our list of some around Canberra. Photo: File.

It’s not uncommon for newcomers to Canberra to be surprised at the scarcity of bulk billing doctors. And it’s not a good surprise. However, they needn’t despair, as you will find there are some exciting innovations in Canberra that make access to bulk billing doctors much easier.

It’s upsetting not being able to get to a doctor when you, or worse, your child, needs medical attention. If you require a doctor that bulk bills, you need peace of mind that they are available when you need them and you can afford the visit.

What makes a good bulk billing medical centre?

If you have recently moved to a new area or you are looking to change your doctor, take some time and do some research before deciding on a healthcare professional.

Here are some things to consider when choosing a bulk billing medical centre.

  • Quality care. Bulk billing or not, when it comes to your health and the health of your family you never want to compromise on quality. Your doctor should be well-trained, up-to-date with the latest medical care and thorough.
  • Length of appointments. If you feel rushed during your appointment you may not be getting the care you deserve. Just because a doctor is bulk billing it doesn’t mean they should spend less time listening to your concerns.
  • Location and opening hours. Do you often need to visit the doctor before or after hours? Take this into account when choosing a medical centre.
  • Clear policies on bulk billing. Some medical centres only bulk bill patients with healthcare cards or children and seniors. Call first to confirm that you will be bulk billed for your appointment.
  • Reliable appointment availability and short wait times. Waiting for one or two hours to see a doctor can be extremely stressful and inconvenient. Some bulk billing medical centres are “walk ins” and don’t make appointments. If this is the case, check with staff about wait times and decide if you can afford this time or you are better off going somewhere else.

The top three bulk billing medical centres in Canberra

After reading through your feedback and doing some of our own local research, we’ve come up with this list of the top three bulk billing medical centres in Canberra.

1. The National Health Co-op

The National Health Co-op is an amazing innovation established in 2004 by a group of community organisations and concerned citizens to address the shortage of bulk billing doctors in Canberra. Patients pay an annual membership of $10 per month (50% discount for concession cardholders) and children under 18 are free. Members then receive access to bulk billing doctors at any NHC medical centre in Australia. In the Canberra region there are eight NHC centres located in Macquarie, Belconnen, Evatt, Higgins, Kippax (Holt), Charnwood, Chisholm and Wanniassa.

2. The Hyperdome Medical Centre

The Hyperdome Medical Centre is located in Tuggeranong. The centre has a staff of eight dedicated doctors that all bulk bill if you have a valid medicare card. They offer a large range of services and extended opening hours, 8 to 9 weekdays and 9 to 4 on weekends.

3. My Medical Practice Charnwood

My Medical Practice Charnwood is a family-owned and operated practice with a small but growing staff that provide specialist care in women’s, men’s and children’s health. The team at Charnwood offer bulk billing to all patients with a valid medicare card. They have a Pathology onsite and open from 8.30 to 6 weekdays.

Your go-to medical centre in Canberra

Do you attend any of these medical centres? Do you know of an alternative bulk billing medical centre in Canberra? Share your experiences in the comments section below.

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Bulk Bill available at Riverside Plaza Medical Centre Queanbeyan.

JustThinking6:20 pm 02 Feb 11

Pork Hunt said :

Crawford St Medical Clinic Qbn. Dr Stevenson.

Agree.
The Dr’s there are usually pretty good.

Let us know how you go with this.

Ainslie medical centre, Kaleen Dr Voons medical centre, Dr Smee in Dickson, you will need health care card.

One option is the indigenous health centre at Narrabundah. Their GP service is bulk billed for anyone who walks in. However, their specialist services (eg psychological) are for indigenous Australians only. Something to do with the funding sources. It’s in the modern light brown building on the community block oipposite Narrabndah shops right near the#5 bus stop from Woden to the City.

I don’t now whether or not they do bulk billing, but Dr Ian Mills (who I found through this link http://the-riotact.com/7471/7471 a while back now) is excellent, and the practise is run efficiently, so you can usually get an appointment same or next day.

Crawford St Medical Clinic Qbn. Dr Stevenson.

Depending on what your medical issue is I can heartily recommend the Walk-in Centre.
It is located at the Canberra Hospital, near the Emergency Department – there is 2 hour parking immediately adjacent.
No need for an appointment – just walk in! They are open convenient times – 7am to 11pm. I’ve never needed to wait to see the receptionist, then always less than 15 minutes to see a nurse. You’ll need to bring your Medicare card. For my minor complaints the nurses have always been thorough and professional – and spent much more time with me than my normal short GP visits.
In my previous visit I needed some medicine – this was provided by the Walk-in Centre with no need to visit a pharmacist, and no need to pay.
They seem to have a list of ailments they can treat – if it is a one-off relatively minor complaint then you’ll be right, if it involves on-going visits, complex tests, referrals to specialists, kids under 2, etc then you’ll need to look elsewhere.
The best thing – once you have finished with the nurse you can just walk out – no need to pay a cent!

Also something to think about is the Health Direct phone advice line 1800 022 222 available 24 hours/7 days for advice on if you need to see a doctor and the relevant timelines.

How about here – http://www.familygp.com.au/PracticeInfo/StaffList.aspx? Maybe if you made an appointment for the week end it would be quieter. Good luck!

The medical practice in conder does bulk bill, but you need a health care card or need to be under 16 if you don’t have the card. Apart from that, I don’t think many places do bulk billing anymore. Does anyone know whether the walk in clinic bulk bills?

The only place i know that bulk bills is the west belconnen co-op. These guys make appointments so you dont sit arund like an asshole waiting for a doctor. Its good service but they can get quite busy and its a bit far. Its better than seeing a doctor that will charge 70 bucks anyway and make you wait an hour as well. I just try book an appointment around my schedule that would already involve me driving to that end of town as I live in whoop whoop too. Give it a try, you pay just an annual fee to see them and then you get bulk billed every other time.

The doctors there aren’t too bad either 🙂

Gininderra Medical Centre has a charge now. Can’t remember what it is, but it’s way less than most medical centres. Maybe $20-$30 or something? The GP I saw there was very helpful, although I had a faint waft of disapproval floating my way (sporting injury, distance running).

I think the medical on the corner of Coulter Dr and Nettlefold St do bulk billing. Ginninderra Medical Centre I think it’s called. Not in the area you want, but it’s the only one I can think of.

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