News

Practice billing policy and fees

The Federal Government’s new bulk billing incentives take effect on 1st November 2025. Unfortunately the new Medicare incentives still do not cover the cost of your care. At SCMP, we are committed to providing thorough, personal and high-quality care, as opposed to rushed consultations. We understand that bulk billing can seem more convenient, but the reality is free medicine isn't always good medicine. Bulk billing often leads to short, high-volume appointments, sometimes referred to as "6 minute medicine".

This model doesn't allow time to understand your full health story, manage complex or chronic conditions properly, or build strong, ongoing relationships with your healthcare team. Our goal is to give every patient the time, attention and continuity of care they deserve.

By maintaining a mixed or private billing model, we can ensure your care remains safe, comprehensive, and focused on long-term wellbeing and not quick fixes. Thank you for supporting our model of care that puts your health first. We will endeavour to try and keep our gap fees as low as possible in order to maintain our current level of services."

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

  • SCMP is providing Pfizer XBB.1.5 booster vaccinations at our Bega and Tathra Surgeries on an as-needed basis. These vaccinations can also be sourced from local pharmacies.
  • The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) have stated that a booster shot can be offered if it is more than 6 months since the last vaccination date or Covid infection, and irrespective of how many doses have previously been given.
  • ATAGI recommends a booster for everyone over 75 years of age every six months.
  • ATAGI recommends a booster for everyone between 65 and 75 years of age every 12 months, but patients are also eligible for a booster dose every 6 months (based on an individual risk-benefit assessment).
  • Patients between 18-64 years of age are eligible for a booster dose every 12 months.
  • Those patients between 18-64 years of age with a significant medical condition putting them at increased risk of more severe disease are recommended to have a booster dose every 12 months and are eligible every 6 months (based on an individual risk-benefit assessment).
  • A booster can be considered/offered to everyone over 18 years of age, and those between 5 and 18 years of age with a significant medical condition putting them at increased risk of severe disease.
  • Patients 5-17 years old that are severely immunocompromised are eligible for a booster dose every 12 months.
  • A booster is not recommended for those under 5 year of age.
  • A booster is not recommended for 5-17 year olds with no increased risk factors.
  • We strongly encourage EVERYONE who is eligible, to receive the vaccination as soon as possible.
  • Please be reassured the vaccine available to this group of patients, is safe and effective and will provide protection from COVID-19 for both us as individuals and to our whole community.
  • We will continue to provide information here on our website, the SCMP Facebook page and at our surgeries.

HOTDOC SMS Notifications for Recalls and reminders

SCMP is using a new Recalls and Reminders system for our patients through HotDoc. Patients may now receive email and SMS notifications for their clinical reminders/recalls through HotDoc, as well as their appointment reminders. You can download the HotDoc app onto your mobile phone.

The appointment reminder SMS includes a link for confirmation and details on your appointment (it's not a scam!), or patients can just respond Yes or No to the SMS. And you can still always call our Reception staff for more details :)

Patients that have opted out of our SMS system will not receive these messages.

Quality Improvement Program

SCMP participates in regular quality improvement activities. Our current focus for 2025 - 2026 is on our patients aged 75 years and over. Every 12 months, patients over 75 years of age can attend a free, government-funded Health Assessment appointment with our Nurse and GP. This preventative health check gives us an opportunity to discuss your health needs, identify any factors that could help improve your overall health, or prevent illnesses in the future. We can also discuss available services that can help you stay healthy and well at home. Please give us a call at SCMP to book your Health Assessment.
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Supervising Doctors

Our Practice Principal, Dr John Marshman, and the rest of our fellowed Doctors, oversee the care of all the patients of the Practice, with support from our Registrars and Practice Nurses. The Registrars and Nurses have regular meetings with the senior doctors who are available at all times for advice and discussion regarding any patient concerns.

If you are not able to see your usual doctor on every occasion, the Practice will endeavour to make an appointment for you with them periodically.

We are fortunate to have a cohort of GP Registrars, who work with us while completing their specialist training in General Practice. These GP Registrars will stay with the Practice for anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. We are hopeful that some of them will stay with Sapphire Coast Medical Practice, so please make them welcome!

We also welcome a new rotation of ANU Medical students.

With ongoing teaching and recruiting, over the next 1 to 2 years, we hope to have a number of GP’s staying with us at the Sapphire Coast Medical Practice on a more long-term basis.

GP Registrars

Dr Randall Kelly is with our Practice on rotation approximately three weeks of the month and works primarily in our Bega Surgery.

​Dr Amrit Kaur joined us as a GP Registrar in early-August 2022 and continues to work part-time at our Bega Surgery.

Our Registrars bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them and will be valuable members of our team.

A Registrar is a qualified Doctor who has chosen to specialise as a General Practitioner, in the same way that a surgeon or paediatrician completes further studies to specialise in their field. Registrars are qualified Doctors who have completed their medical degree and done a minimum of two years training in a public hospital where they gained exposure to a wide range of clinical situations including surgery and emergency medicine.