Fee for visiting a GP

[donnashuggy]

What people really think: 

[freakiness]

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@**meep** wrote:

Genuine question here, since when are children under 16 no longer entitled to free GP consultations?

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I'm interested to know when they became free.  I used to find it depended on the doctor whether they bulk billed, charged the scheduled fee or added the gap.

[**meep**]

I agree Punch, all the info so far has been very confusing.  I am still assuming the concession will also apply to children under 16.

But basically, I have NFI.

[**meep**]

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@freakiness wrote:

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@**meep** wrote:

Genuine question here, since when are children under 16 no longer entitled to free GP consultations?

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I'm interested to know when they became free.  I used to find it depended on the doctor whether they bulk billed, charged the scheduled fee or added the gap.

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Gosh...not exactly sure.....This was something my family doctor informed  me of when my daughter was little.....would have to be at least 10yrs ago?

[punch*drunk]

If we stick to exclusively children under 16 for a minute, then I'd assume they will still be bulk billed until their 12 visits (per family) are up or unless they hold a concession card.

Its the "per family" bit that makes it confusing I think. Probably will be incredibly confusing for the clinics especially with so many split familes nowdays. How would they decide which family a child belonged to under 50/50 shared care arrangements? Especially if both parents had new partners and more children....lol could become a nightmare.

I guess they'd take that into account though and have a formula in place.

[purple_haize]

At the medical centre that I go to all children under the age of 16yrs are bulked billed..................it could be up to the individual m/centre who gets bulk billed.

[punch*drunk]

I just did a quick google and it looks like there's no requirement to bulk bill under 16yo's, but the doctors do get an incentive payment to do so. Started in 2005.

[daydream**believer]

i pay to see my GP.

Kids under 16 yrs are bulk billed

[**meep**]

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@punch*drunk wrote:

I just did a quick google and it looks like there's no requirement to bulk bill under 16yo's, but the doctors do get an incentive payment to do so. Started in 2005.

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What about Dental Care for under 16's?  Sorry I know this is about GPs but want to make sure I didn't give more info that is not 100% right (because I was sure about this one as well)

[purple_haize]

The one I go to, all kids under 16yrs are bulk billed.

It is up to the medical centre who gets bulk billed and who doesnt, that is besides concession card holders and pension card holders.

[purple_haize]

Dental care is free for all primary school children.