Fees

Medicare Rebates Available

Medicare assists in reducing costs for patients with two or more chronic conditions by allowing medical practitioners to use additional billing numbers once a comprehensive CARE PLAN has been completed. This care plan visit is fully bulk-billed, and patients can continue to have reviews every 3-6 months at no out-of-pocket cost. The care plan renews annually, and Dr. Santiago recognizes that this can significantly alleviate the financial burden for some patients with higher medical expenses.

Additionally, the care plan enables patients to access up to five partially covered visits to allied health professionals per year. This initiative aims to maximize health outcomes by involving a multidisciplinary team in each patient's care.

Please note this care plan is for the use ONLY of the regular GP defined by medicare as:
'the GP who has provided the majority of care to the patient over the previous 12 months and/or will be providing the majority of care to the patient over the next 12 months.'

Dr Santiago values continuity of care and encourages patients to discuss care plan options with their regular GP.

Consultation Fee Details

Dr. Santiago operates on a private billing basis. Consultation fees are determined by the length and complexity of the case. For reviews of previously ordered results, Dr. Santiago offers a reduced private fee.

Fees for skin procedures are established based on the type, location, and size of the lesion, which are typically confirmed a few days after the specimen has been sent to pathology. This fee is generally charged at the time of suture removal when the pathology results are discussed with the patient.

The initial punch or shave biopsy has a fixed fee, as it does not depend on the aforementioned factors.

Each clinic where Dr. Santiago practices offers unique services, resulting in different fee structures at each location.