What is 'bulk billing' and how do I find a doctor who offers it?

In Plain English

Bulk billing is when a doctor charges you only the Medicare benefit for a service, and doesn't charge you any extra out-of-pocket costs. In this case, the doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the service.

To find a bulk billing doctor, you can:

• Ask your friends, family, or local community groups for recommendations.
• Search online directories that list doctors and indicate whether they bulk bill.
• Call local medical practices and ask if they offer bulk billing for your specific needs.

Detailed explanation

Bulk billing is defined in the Health Insurance (Pathology Services Table) Regulations 2020 as:

a pathology service is bulk-billed if:

(a) a medicare benefit is payable to a person in relation to the service; and

(b) under an agreement entered into under section 20A of the Health Insurance Act 1973:

(i) the person assigns to the practitioner by whom, or on whose behalf, the service is rendered, the person’s right to the payment of the medicare benefit; and

(ii) the practitioner accepts the assignment in full payment of the practitioner’s fee for the service rendered.

The Health Insurance Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits and Other Measures) Regulations 2025 and the Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Assignment of Medicare Benefits) Act 2024 outline the requirements for bulk billing assignments, including the need for a written agreement (which can be electronic) signed by the patient (assignor). This agreement assigns the patient's right to the Medicare benefit to the medical provider, who accepts this benefit as full payment.

The Financial Framework (Supplementary Powers) Amendment (Health, Disability and Ageing Measures No. 3) Regulations 2025 (docid=1) also mentions the importance of bulk billing in the ACT and the government's efforts to increase access to bulk billing GPs in the region.