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Parent and child speaking with reception staff about bulk billing at Chelsea Arcade Medical

Understanding Our Billing: Who’s Bulk Billed at Chelsea Arcade Medical?

August 18, 2026 icohealth Comments Off

Working out what you’ll pay to see the doctor shouldn’t be complicated. If you’re looking for a bulk bill GP in Chelsea, or simply want to know whether your appointment will have a fee, this guide explains how bulk billing at Chelsea Arcade Medical works, clearly and simply.

We use a mixed billing model, which means that some patients and some services are bulk billed, while others involve an out-of-pocket cost. Here’s exactly who’s covered, and what to expect.

What Does Bulk Billing Actually Mean?

Bulk billing is when your doctor bills Medicare directly for your appointment, so you pay nothing out of pocket. The fee is set by the Medicare Benefits Schedule, and Medicare covers it in full.

When a practice uses mixed billing, it bulk bills certain patients and services, and charges a gap fee for others. That gap is the difference between the Medicare rebate and the practice’s fee, and it reflects the fact that Medicare rebates haven’t kept pace with the cost of providing care.

In short:

  • Bulk billed — Medicare covers the full cost; you pay nothing
  • Mixed billing — some appointments are bulk billed, others have an out-of-pocket cost
  • Gap fee — the part of the fee not covered by the Medicare rebate

Who Is Eligible for Bulk Billing at Chelsea Arcade Medical?

If you’re after a bulk billing doctor in Chelsea, here’s who qualifies. At Chelsea Arcade Medical, the following patients are bulk billed for standard GP appointments:

  • Concession card holders — including pensioners and Health Care Card holders
  • Children 15 years and under — regardless of concession status

If you hold a valid Medicare card and one of these applies to you, your standard GP visit is bulk billed. It’s worth bringing your Medicare card and any concession or Health Care Card to your appointment so we can bill it correctly.

Wondering who is eligible for bulk billing in Australia more generally? It often comes down to concession status and age, which is a way of directing bulk billing to the patients who need it most.

What If I’m Not Eligible for Bulk Billing?

If you’re a non-concession patient, an out-of-pocket fee applies for standard and longer consultations. You’ll still receive the Medicare rebate, and the gap fee covers the remainder.

Because fees are reviewed from time to time, we don’t want to list exact amounts here. However, you’ll always find the current standard consultation and long consultation fees on our fees page. If you’d like to know before you arrive, our reception team is happy to talk you through it when you book.

So, does Chelsea Arcade Medical bulk bill? Yes, for eligible patients, and for a number of important services, which we’ll cover next.

If you’re booking with Dr Shaminder Kaur,  it’s an important reminder that she operates with a different fee structure, with higher out-of-pocket costs than our other doctors. If you’d like to book with Dr Kaur, please call the clinic first so our reception team can explain her fees before your appointment.

Services That Are Bulk Billed for Everyone

Some services are bulk billed for all patients, whether or not you hold a concession card. These include:

  • GP Management Plans — for coordinating the care of a chronic condition
  • Health Assessments — including the 45–49 and 75+ assessments
  • Home Medication Reviews — a review of your medicines with your GP

These preventive and coordinated-care services are an important part of staying well, so they’re bulk billed for everyone, no matter your billing status.

Why We Use Mixed Billing

Like many practices across Melbourne, we operate as a mixed billing medical practice. This approach lets us keep bulk billing available for concession card holders, children, and key services, while managing the gap between Medicare rebates and the real cost of care.

It’s a balance that keeps bulk billing available for the patients who rely on it most.

If you’re unsure how much you’ll pay, or whether you need to pay for anything, the easiest way to check is to ask. When you book, let our reception team know your situation, whether you hold a concession card, your child’s age, or the type of appointment you need, and they can tell you what to expect.

You can also view current fees any time on our fees page, so there are no surprises on the day.

Clear Billing Every Visit

We want you to feel confident about the cost of your appointment before you walk through the door. In short: concession card holders and children 15 and under are bulk billed, key services like care plans and health assessments are bulk billed for everyone, and other patients pay a gap fee that’s always listed on our fees page.

If you have any questions about billing, our reception team is here to help. You can book an appointment online or call us on (03) 9772 9878 for a consultation.

The information in this article is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you’re concerned about your health, book an appointment with your GP at Chelsea Arcade Medical or call (03) 9772 9878.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Chelsea Arcade Medical Bulk Bill?
Yes. We use a mixed billing model, which means concession card holders and children 15 years and under are bulk billed for standard GP appointments. 

Services like GP Management Plans, eligible Health Assessments, and Home Medication Reviews are bulk billed for all patients. Other patients pay an out-of-pocket fee, listed on our fees page.

Who Is Eligible for Bulk Billing?
At Chelsea Arcade Medical, concession card holders, including pensioners and Health Care Card holders, and children aged 15 and under are bulk billed for standard consultations. Bringing your Medicare card and any concession card to your appointment helps us bill correctly. 

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our reception team can check for you.

Will I Have to Pay a Gap Fee?
If you’re a non-concession patient, a gap fee applies to standard and longer consultations, which is the difference between the Medicare rebate and our fee. Because amounts are reviewed periodically, the current fees are always on our fees page, or reception can tell you when you book.

Are Care Plans and Health Assessments Bulk Billed?
Yes. GP Management Plans, eligible Health Assessments (including the 45–49 and 75+ assessments), and Home Medication Reviews are bulk billed for all patients, regardless of concession status. The exception is Dr Shaminder Kaur, who has a separate fee arrangement. Please call the clinic for details.

Why Isn’t Every Appointment Bulk Billed?
Medicare rebates haven’t kept up with the actual cost of providing care, so like many Australian practices, we use mixed billing. This keeps bulk billing available for concession card holders, children, and important services, while allowing us to continue seeing all patients.