Number of available bulk billing Bundaberg doctor clinics becoming rare

With months-long wait lists and $80 new patient fees at some clinics, finding an affordable doctor in or near Bundaberg can be tough. FULL LIST of local practices and their status.

Those who have medicare cards are entitled to rebates, though many struggle to afford the rising costs of doctors visits to begin with.

There are 23 general practitioners clinics in the Bundaberg area, but only five offer across-the-board bulk billing services for their patients.

With a rising cost of living, increased Medicare fees, extended wait lists and a rise in the local population, finding and keeping a good doctor is becoming harder than ever.

The NewsMail has spoken to every doctor’s clinic in Bundaberg, Childers, Gin Gin, South Kolan and Agnes Waters to find out who is taking on new patients, who is bulk billing, and what the wait times are to see a doctor.

Crofton Medical Centre has good online reviews from existing patients.

Crofton Medical Centre

As a private billing clinic patients at Crofton Medical Centre are always hit with a standard appointment fee of $75. However, they are one of the few clinics in the region with a female doctor taking on new patients, as well as two male doctors. Future patients are able to get appointments within a few days.

Hinkler Family Practice

The Hinkler Family Practice offers mixed billing, which means anyone without a concession card will be hit with a fee. Anyone over 65 years of age or under 16 can be bulk billed. This clinic is taking on new patients, but with a two week wait time to see a doc.

Linden Medical Centre

Linden Medical Center is another privately owned clinic with fees ranging from $80 – $125 for appointments. They do however have five doctors taking on new patients, including two female doctors with short wait times. Children under 16 are also bulk billed.

Burnett Medical Centre

Burnett Medical Centre does bulk bill patients holding a concession card, only after new patients pay the first visit fees ranging from $80 – $135. There are four new doctors taking on patients with short wait times.

Alexandra Park Medical

A privately owned clinic Alexandra Park Medical does not bulk bill and is not taking on new patients.

Burrum Street Medical Practice

Much like Alexandra Park Medical, Burrum Street Medical Practice is privately owned and does not bulk bill, with their books closed to new patients.

Aberdovy Clinic offers online booking to patients.

Aberdovy Clinic

Aberdovy Clinic has doctors that may chose to bulk bill, however their books are closed to new patients.

Jacaranda General Practice

Privately owned Jacaranda General Practice does not bulk bill, however they do have a female doctor taking on patients with a short wait time.

Central Medical

Also privately owned Central Medical has appointment fees starting at $95 with three female doctors taking on patients with short wait times for an appointment.

Aspire Medical Centre

Patients under 16 or those holding a concession card can be bulk billed at Aspire, however fees start at $76 for those without a concession card. The clinic has one male doctor taking on new patients with short wait times.

Millbank Medical Practice

No bulk billing is offered at Millbank with standards appointments costing $75. Two male doctors are taking on new patients, with short wait times for an appointment.

West Bundaberg Medical Centre

West Bundaberg Medical Centre is the only GP clinic in Bundaberg that offers across the board bulk billing for anyone with a Medicare card. This explains why the wait time to get in as a new patient is two months, with no female doctors available.

Bourbong Family Medical Practice

While Bourbong Family Medical Practice is taking on new patients with a short wait time to get into the clinic, they do not offer bulk billing with standard appointments costing $85.

Branyan Clinic also offers specialist care in heart, lung and physiotherapy services.

Branyan Clinic

Branyan Clinic is another mixed billing practice with bulk billing available for concession card holders. They have a female and male doctor taking on new patients, but new patients are looking at a three week wait to get an appointment.

Sugarland Family Practice

While the Sugarland Family Practice does offer bulk billing, their books are closed to new patients.

Ashfield Country Practice

A privately owned clinic that does not bulk bill and is not taking on new patients until January, with a running waitlist for their female doctor.

Grace Family Practice and Skin Care

A privately owned practice with appointments starting at $90. The clinic does not bulk bill but prospective patients can see the male doctor taking on new patients within a week.

North Star Medical Centre

North Star Medical Center does offer bulk billing on certain services to anyone under 16 or holding a concession card. There is however a flat $80 registration fee to join the clinic as a new patient, with a short wait time for new appointments.

Childers Medical Centre is in the heart of Childers.

Childers Medical Centre

The Childers Medical Centre also bulk bills anyone with a Medicare card with a male doctor able to see new patients within a week however those hoping to see a female doctor have a four week wait time for appointments.

Childers Doctors Surgery

The Childers Doctors Surgery also bulk bills anyone with a Medicare card with two doctors taking on new patients, however new patients are looking at a three week wait for an appointment.

Shore Care Family Practice – Agnes Waters

Another private practice that does not offer bulk billing services, new patients are looking at a week wait time for an appointment and a $154 appointment fee for the initial consultation.

Currajong Clinic, Gin Gin

Currajong Clinic offers bulk billing to anyone with a Medicare card, with new patients able to see a male doctor within a few days.

Gin Gin Family Medical Centre

The Gin Gin Family Medical Centre also bulk bills anyone with a Medicare care card, however new patients are looking at a two week wait to see a doctor.