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[2 min watch] Charging for procedures in a bulk-billing practice
If you are in a practice that bulk-bills skin cancer procedures, can you charge any other fees in relation to that procedure, such as a procedure fee or a consumables fee? In this short video, Matt Woollard (Chief Operating Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) talks about the regulations relating to Medicare and billing skin cancer procedures.
The Medicare regulations state that if a practitioner bulk-bills a procedure, then no other fees can be charged in relation to that procedure. So, if you charge a consumables fee, an out-of-pocket fee, or a theatre fee – by way of examples – you cannot bulk-bill the actual procedure.
In the video, Matt also discusses what practitioners can charge for aftercare and wound management in relation to skin cancer.
Watch the full video now:
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Thanks for this. I certainly got this message when doing the course two years ago. Including a recommendation to avoid bulk billing as generally it does not reflect the real cost and expertise required, and lacks flexibility in relation to costs in specific cases.
However, if aftercare is not “routine” or “usual” then I understand that Medicare rebates can apply.
Examples I consider that would not come within the above definitions might include
– wound infection requiring treatment with antibiotics including intravenous
– wound dehiscence requiring wound dressings to permit healing by secondary intention over a longer time or even wound edge debridement and resuture
– skin graft failure
– histology demonstrates that some tumour gas been left behind despite best efforts and fouther treatment is needed.
These examples would necessitate careful notes in the patient file including a statement that it is considered not normal aftercare in case of Medicare audit.
Actually, a short video on this would be welcome!