Bulk Billing Doctors’ Availability :

The following doctors bulk bill, but only during their bulk billing work hours shown below.

• Dr Hsien Lim – (Mon – Fri: 9am-4pm)
  (Available for both Face-to-Face & Phone consults)

• Dr Damien Ford – (Wed: 2:30pm-4:30pm)
  (Available for Phone consults only)

• Dr Charmi Vithanarachchi – (Mon, Tues & Thurs: 2pm-8pm)
  (Available for Phone consults only)

The eligibility requirements for bulk billing for Telehealth/Phone consults are not the same as they are for Face-to-Face consults, as set out below–

For Telehealth/Phone consults:

You are eligible for a bulk billed Telehealth/Phone consult with one of the above doctors provided: 1) you have a valid Medicare card, and 2) one or more of the following circumstances apply to you–

• You require a Telehealth/Phone consult (not longer than 10 mins) AND you have visited Petersham Family Medical Centre in person for at least one face-to-face service from any health professional at the practice in the previous 12 months. (If you are unsure, please call (02) 95608207 or email the practice and we will confirm this attendance).
• You need a MENTAL HEALTH RELATED CONSULT.
• You need a consult to access mental health services relating to preparation of a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) or review of a MHCP.
• You have tested COVID-19 positive within the last 7 days, verified by either a laboratory test or COVID-19 rapid antigen self-test (RAT).
• You are suspected to have COVID-19 and require a GP referral for a PCR test to verify diagnosis, so you can access PBS subsidized antiviral treatment.
• You are homeless because you are going through an extreme form ofpoverty due to the inadequacy of income, health care supports and social supports.
• The service is for a child under the age of 12 months.
• You are a patient of a medical practitioner at an Aboriginal Medical Service or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
• You need a consult relating to blood borne viruses, sexual or reproductive health.
• You need a consult relating to pregnancy counselling services.
• You need a consult relating to nicotine and smoking cessation counselling.
• You are currently living in a flood-affected area, defined as a State or Territory local government area which is currently declared as a natural disaster area due to flood by a State or Territory Government.
• You are living in an area that is currently declared as a natural disaster area due by a State or Territory Government.

For Face-to-Face consults:

For face-to-face consults, the following categories of patients are bulk billed –

• DVA Gold Card holders
• Children under 16 years of age
• Eligible Health assessments, such as a 40-49 year old health check (one only), seniors check (for patients aged 75 plus – allowed annually), or for a Domiciliary Medication Management Review (for patients on 5 or more medications).
• Care plans (subject to eligibility)
• All follow up consultations for results or review