Payment Policies

IMPORTANT

Private Billing & Medicare Information

Athelas Psychiatry is a private billing clinic. We are unable to offer bulk billing due to the insufficiency of Medicare rebates. All appointments are billed privately, and you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a valid referral.

Medicare is your government-provided healthcare insurer.
Rebates are processed back to you via Medicare after your appointment.
You must re-register for the Medicare Safety Net each calendar year to ensure you're receiving maximum rebate support.
A current referral is required for Medicare eligibility.
Telehealth and in-clinic fees are equal.

Note: In Australia, medical specialist outpatient appointments are usually not eligible for private health insurance rebates.
However, private health funds may offer support for inpatient admissions, outpatient group therapy, or psychologist appointments.

Fee schedules are available on request and are updated annually.

Why Fee Timeliness Matters

Paying fees on time is a key part of building a respectful and stable therapeutic relationship. It reflects mutual trust, responsibility, and shared investment in your care.

Fees are due on the day of your appointment.
Your payment covers wages, operational costs, technology systems, insurance, and all infrastructure involved in delivering your care.
Non-payment affects the therapeutic relationship and care continuity.

If You Can’t Pay On Time

We understand that financial difficulty can arise. If you're unable to pay on time:

Please contact us before your appointment to discuss your options.
We can often make arrangements when there is open, early communication.

However, delays without communication will result in service restrictions, including:

Suspension of future appointments
Withholding of scripts, letters, or paperwork
Limitations on clinical care

If unresolved, this may lead to a more prescriptive engagement model or termination of care.

It’s vital we have shared clarity about expectations. Trust must go both ways.

Missed Payments & Collection Policy

If payment is not received when due:

You will receive administrative follow-up.
Future appointments will not be booked or held.
Continued non-payment will result in termination of services and referral to a debt collection agency.
Your balance may also incur additional fees.

We aim to avoid debt collection wherever possible, but this step will be taken if we are unable to reach you after multiple contact attempts.

Key Points to Remember

✅ All fees are due on the day of service
❌ We do not offer bulk billing or discounted fees
📄 No letters, scripts, or forms are issued outside appointments without appropriate payment or booking
💬 Always communicate early if you are having financial difficulty

To maintain ongoing access to psychiatric care, we ask all patients to meet the responsibilities of timely payment and respectful communication.