ABOUT US

We are a Bulk billing practice. Patients with a valid Medicare card are eligible for bulk billing. A fee can be charged for allied health services and specialist consultations, which may vary depending on the complexity of the service or treatment.

Additional Fees

Services excluded from bulk billing include:

• WorkCover
• Some procedures
• Pre-employment medical assessments
• Driver assessment forms under 65 yrs of age
• Medical reports

Further information is available at time of booking. Payment is preferred on the day.

Private Patients

The following fees apply to patients who do not hold a Medicare card or OSHC/OVC membership:

• Short consultation – $60
• Standard consultation – $80
• Long consultation – $120

We take the privacy and security of your information seriously. Your medical record is a confidential document, and our clinic is equipped to protect that information. Our stringent practice policy means we always maintain the security of personal health data and ensure that it is only available to authorised staff. We abide by the Australian Privacy Principles available at: www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles.

For the continuing management of our patient’s health, we utilise a systematic reminder system to provide health promotion, preventative care and early detection of disease.
Our system is based on the best available evidence and, where possible incorporates.

In this document “we” or “us” means the Doctors at Vincentia Bay Medical and includes where the context permits, the Doctor’s staff, (medical and non-medical) and any service company engaged by the Doctors to assist in the administration of the Practice.

1 Purpose
The Doctors at Vincentia Bay Medical are committed to ensuring that the best possible service is provided to all patients. Patient non-attendance at a booked appointment adversely impacts on practice staff and patients in the following manner:

• The “Did Not Attend” (DNA) patient takes the appointment slot of another patient who could have attended.
• The time and personnel required to follow-up and rebook DNA patients diverts staff from other duties and is therefore a waste of resources.

Consistent application of the DNA policy by doctors and staff plays an important role in encouraging patients to assist in ensuring that Doctors’ and staff’s time is managed as efficiently as possible.
This policy relates the handling of DNA’s and outlines the expectations of patients and staff in the management of these instances.

2 Policy

A DNA occurs when:

• the Patient has not contacted Vincentia Bay Medical in advance to cancel it
• cancel with less timing required by our notice period, which makes it difficult for Vincentia Bay Medical to allocate that appointment to another Patient who needs treatment.

Notice Period

• For General Practitioner (GP) appointment, 1 hour notice prior to appointment time is required.

“No Show” Fee

In the event that a patient does not attend (DNA) an appointment for the first time then the following process will be undertaken: The appointment will be recorded as a DNA and no further action will be taken.

If a patient does not attend (DNA) for two appointments within a 12 months period, they will be sent a letter of suspension of services with an invoice for “No Show” fee. This letter will see patient’s access to all services suspended until accounts are paid.

We will charge a fee of :

• $20 per appointment (<=15 minutes appointment slot)
• $40 per appointment (>15 minutes appointment slot)

DNA fees are not Medicare rebateable.

There may also be the possibility of permanent suspension from Vincentia Bay Medical at
the Doctors’ discretion for repeat offenders.

Avoid Becoming a DNA

If patient cannot attend or no longer need an appointment, they are required to advise Vincentia Bay Medical in advance.

The Doctors understand that mistakes do happen and that appointments can be forgotten or overlooked. In such cases, the Doctors will take into account the reason given by patients.
However repeated offences are unacceptable.

Preference, of course, is for your Doctor to know in advance so your Doctor can offer the appointments to other Patients in need. If patient needs to cancel an appointment, they can do this in any one of the following ways:

• In person at the Reception Desk
• Telephone: 02 4443 9888
• Email: info@vbmed.com.au
• If booked online, you can cancel/reschedule appointments through the same booking program that was used - Healthengine or HotDoc

Reducing DNAs

The Doctors are doing their utmost to reduce DNAs as much as possible.

If patient make an appointment, we would suggest that Patients’ record/document the date and time in a way that can be easily accessed – in a diary, on a calendar or on a mobile phone.

Vincentia Bay Medical uses SMS reminders as a convenient way to remind patient the day before of their appointment details. This service is a courtesy only and not receiving SMS reminder is not a valid reason for patient to miss their appointment.

It is patient’s responsibility

to be aware of their appointment details, and to arrive on time or reschedule with sufficient notice. advise Vincentia Bay Medical of any change to their contact details

Download Did Not Attend (DNA) Policy