POLICY
Fees Policy
Purpose
Drummond Dermatology is committed to providing high-quality specialist dermatology care while maintaining a financially sustainable medical practice.
This policy explains how fees are determined and outlines the practice’s approach to billing, Medicare rebates, concessions and financial hardship.
Private Billing Practice
Drummond Dermatology is a private billing specialist dermatology practice.
Fees are payable at the time of consultation unless alternative arrangements have been agreed in advance.
The practice does not routinely bulk bill.
How Fees Are Determined
Consultation fees are determined by a range of factors including:
- The complexity of the medical condition
- The time required for consultation and documentation
- The level of specialist expertise required
- Ongoing professional development and maintenance of specialist skills
- Practice operating costs
- Staffing costs
- Technology and cybersecurity costs
- Medical equipment and consumables
- Regulatory and accreditation requirements
- Medical indemnity insurance
Fees are periodically reviewed to ensure the ongoing viability of the practice and to maintain high standards of patient care.
Medicare Rebates
Medicare rebates contribute towards the cost of specialist medical care but do not represent the actual cost of providing specialist services.
The Medicare rebate:
- Is determined by the Commonwealth Government
- Does not cover the operating costs of a specialist practice
- Does not reflect the expertise, training and experience of specialist medical practitioners
- Has not kept pace with increases in healthcare delivery costs over many years
Patients should expect that there will generally be an out-of-pocket expense associated with specialist dermatology care.
The Medicare rebate is a contribution towards the consultation fee rather than a recommended specialist fee.
Specialist Expertise
Dermatologists complete:
- Medical school
- Hospital-based postgraduate medical training
- Specialist dermatology training
- Fellowship examinations
- Ongoing continuing professional development
Consultation fees reflect the specialist expertise, clinical judgement and experience required to diagnose and manage complex skin conditions.
Public Health System Context
Over many years there has been insufficient investment in public dermatology services across Australia.
As a result:
- Public dermatology waiting lists are often prolonged
- Access to specialist dermatology care can be limited
- Private specialist practices play an important role in maintaining access to dermatological services
Private fees support the availability and sustainability of specialist dermatology services within the community.
Informed Financial Consent
Patients are entitled to know the likely costs of treatment before receiving services.
The practice aims to provide:
- Clear fee information
- Information regarding Medicare rebates
- Estimates of procedural costs where appropriate
- Information about any additional fees likely to be incurred
Patients are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding fees before their appointment.
Pensioners and Financial Hardship
Drummond Dermatology recognises that healthcare costs may create financial difficulties for some patients.
Reduced fees may be considered for:
- Age Pension recipients
- Disability Support Pension recipients
- Patients experiencing genuine financial hardship
Fee reductions are not automatic and remain entirely at the discretion of Dr Catherine Drummond.
Patients experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to discuss this with reception staff before their appointment whenever possible.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services
The practice supports equitable access to specialist healthcare.
Patients referred through Aboriginal Health Services may be eligible for modified fee arrangements at the discretion of Dr Catherine Drummond.
Refugee Health Services
Patients referred through recognised refugee health services may be eligible for modified fee arrangements at the discretion of Dr Catherine Drummond.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
The practice accepts eligible DVA patients.
Where applicable, services may be billed directly to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in accordance with DVA requirements.
A valid referral and DVA eligibility remain the responsibility of the patient.
Telehealth Fees
Telehealth consultations are generally charged at the same rate as face-to-face consultations.
Additional administrative costs associated with telehealth consultations may apply in some circumstances.
Please refer to the Telehealth Policy for further information.
Prescription, Pathology and Administrative Requests
Requests made outside a consultation may attract a fee.
Examples include:
- Repeat prescriptions
- Replacement prescriptions
- Pathology request forms
- Imaging request forms
- Medical reports
- Insurance forms
- Legal reports
- Completion of external documentation
The practice reserves the right to require a consultation before such requests are provided.
Non-Attendance and Cancellation Fees
Appointment times are reserved specifically for individual patients.
A cancellation fee may apply where:
- An appointment is cancelled with less than two business days’ notice
- A patient fails to attend an appointment
- A telehealth consultation is not attended
Cancellation fees help offset the cost of unused appointment time that could otherwise have been offered to another patient.
Medicare rebates are not payable for cancellation fees.
Outstanding Accounts
The practice reserves the right to require payment of outstanding accounts before further appointments are scheduled.
Persistent non-payment may result in discharge from the practice.
Fee Review
Fees are reviewed periodically and may be adjusted without notice.
Current fees are available from reception and may also be available on the practice website.
Questions About Fees
Patients are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding fees with reception staff prior to their appointment.
The practice aims to provide clear, respectful and transparent communication regarding financial matters.
Related Policies
Policy Information
Policy: Fee Policy
Version: 3.0
Effective Date: 1 June 2026
Review Date: 1 June 2028
Approved By: Dr Catherine Drummond
Drummond Dermatology
Suite 16, Francis Chambers
40-42 Corinna St, Phillip ACT 2606
The best way to contact us is via email
Office Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Wednesdays: 9.00am – 3.00pm
Friday: 9.00am – 2.00pm
How to get here
Drummond Dermatology pays respect to all First Nations Australians on whose traditional lands we meet and work, and whose cultures are among the oldest continuing cultures in human history.