Bulk Billed… But Still Charged $50? Here’s What’s Really Going On.
September 2 / 2025 / 8:39 AM
Q: I was recently contacted by someone who went to the doctor and was told: “Don’t worry, you’ll be bulk billed.” But when they left, the clinic asked them to tap and pay a $50 admin fee. Later, when they checked their Medicare records, the service showed up as bulk billed $0.00. They were left asking the obvious question: Why did I have to pay??
A: This is fraud. Pure and simple.
Bulk billing means the doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment. The law is crystal clear: if you bulk bill, you cannot charge the patient any extra fee. Not for “admin.” Not for “facilities.” Not for “technology.” Not for “booking.” You can swap in whatever word you like, but it doesn’t matter – it’s illegal.
This isn’t just a grey area or a sneaky trick. It’s a crime. Medicare is taxpayer money. The rules protect patients and keep the system fair. When clinics try to double dip, they’re breaking the law.
What you can do
If this has happened to you:
- Get your money back.
Use one of the template letters in my book to get your money back – they’ll be on this website soon and completely free to download. - Report it.
You must – it’s a crime. I can help you do that, step by step. Together we can make sure this behaviour is stopped.
💡 If you’ve been caught in this situation, contact me here through my website. I’ll help you:
- Get your $50 (or whatever the fee was) refunded.
- Report the fraud to the right authorities.
No one should be ripped off like this.
More help and answers in my upcoming book: ‘How to Avoid the Medical Bill Rip off!’