Alba Health

Family Medical General Practice Myrtleford

Providing General Practice Medical Services to the Myrtleford and surrounding area.

How We Can Help

GPs are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions in all age groups, Dr Donaldson’s particular areas of interest include:

Chronic Disease Management Plans
Medication Reviews
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Heart Check
40 – 49 Year Old Health Assessment
Osteoporosis/Bone Health Check
Aged Care
Men’s Health
Flu Vaccine
Preventive Health

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fees and how much will I get back?
Fee Schedule
- Appt Type
- Fee
- Rebate
- Gap
- Standard appt
  Simple or single issue
- $75
- $39.70
- $35.30
- Long appt
  A complex issue or multiple issues
- $120
- $76.90
- $43.10
- Extra long appt
  A complex issue or multiple issues
- $165
- $113.20
- $51.80
- Standard-Concession (Health Care Card)
  Simple or single issue
- $60
- $39.70
- $20.30
- Long-Concession (Health Care Card)
  A complex issue or multiple issues
- $100
- $76.90
- $23.10
Bulk Billed Appointments
- Pension Card Holders
- 16 years and below
- DVA Gold Card Holders
- Telephone results
- Government Funded Vaccines
- GP Management Plans & Team Care Arrangements
- Health Assessments
- Home Medication Reviews
Payment is to be made on the day of appointment

INSTANT REBATES AVAILABLE - must go back onto a debit card
Please ensure your nominated bank account details are up to date with medicare

Speak with our team if you are experiencing financial hardship

Sholud your booked appointment run longer, you may incur the next fee bracket

THANK YOU
Who get’s the concession rate?

A concessional rate is available for health care card holders
Why are you introducing Mixed Billing?

Unfortunately, the Government has consistently failed to increase the Medicare Rebate to match inflation (the cost of living), every year, for the last 35 years.

As a result, there is now a significant difference between the actual cost to deliver a medical service, and the amount of money the Government pays to patients through the Medicare rebate to help them access their health care. See the Australian Medical Association graph below.

For example, the average cost of living (inflation) increases by around 3% every year. Over the last 10 years, the average increase in the Medicare Rebate has only been 1% every year and from 2014 to 2018 the Medicare Rebate was frozen (not increased at all).

It is now no longer affordable for GP clinics to only Bulk Bill their medical services and so many GP clinics are now introducing Mixed Billing.
Special financial hardship consideration

In special circumstances where the patient is experiencing significant financial or medical pressure, there may be an option for reduced fees or bulk billing. Please speak with our friendly reception staff or GP about your situation. Requests are assessed on a case by case basis depending on the pressures and needs.
What is MBS & Medicare?

Follow the link to more about what is MBS and Medicare

What is MBS & Medicare?
COVID-19 Information
If you have fever, chills, sweats, cough, sore throat, runny nose, feel you may have Coronavirus or have been in a Restricted or Lockdown Area in the last 14 days you may be infective. DO NOT come to the Practice.

The Victorian Health Department advise you to:

Return home and self isolate and arrange an appointment at your nearest COVID-19 Testing Clinic:

COVID-19 Testing Clinic (Alpine)
www.alpinehealth.org.au

COVID-19 Testing Clinic (Wangaratta)
www.northeasthealth.org.au
Contact your regular GP/Medical Clinic for further advice:

Medical Emergencies
- PHONE
- 000
For further information and advice on Coronavirus, including the COVID-19 Vaccine visit: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Victorian Coronavirus Hotline
Open 24 hours, 7 days
- PHONE
- 1800 675 398
What is a General Practitioner (GP) and what do they do?

A General Practitioner (GP) is a medical doctor who has undertaken further specialist medical training and qualifications to provide health care within the community.

GPs are usually your first point of contact with the healthcare system and provide ongoing care. They are trained in the diagnosis and treatment, prevention and management of both acute and chronic medical conditions and manage all aspects of physical and mental health, providing care through all stages of life and age groups.

They act like a central hub for your healthcare needs, coordinating and over seeing care with other members of the health care team, such as allied health providers (e.g. physiotherapists, podiatrists); specialists (e.g. surgeons, cardiologist/heart doctor); hospitals and other third party health care providers, helping patients navigate and effectively use the healthcare system.

In short, GPs work to ensure the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
What approach to Healthcare do we take at Alba Health?

At Alba Health, we use the concept of the Wellbeing Triangle to tailor our medical care to treat the person as a whole, providing holistic, high quality and patient centered care - not just focusing on treating the disease process.

Our health & wellbeing is supported by both our physical and mental health; these are in turn influenced by biological, psychological and social (biopsychosocial) factors that interact, creating a complex dynamic, or balance, that affects our physical and mental health and so, in turn, our overall Health and Wellbeing. Every person is unique and different: no one dynamic is the same. This is what we mean by the concept of the Wellbeing Triangle.

At times, our health issues can feel overwhelming, this approach provides a simple and effective framework to tackle any health issue, regardless of complexity, helping inform patients of their health and placing them at the centre and in control of the decision making process, tailoring their own treatment plan.

Most importantly, the concept of the Wellbeing Triangle helps promote healthy decision making and behaviours, preventing disease, keeping individuals, families and the community healthy.
Prevention is better than cure after all.
What are your values?

Patient Centred Care

Working in partnership with our regular patients, helping them make the best informed choice for their health and wellbeing.

High Quality Healthcare

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is a requirement for on going membership the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) ensuring that members maintain and develop their medical knowledge and skills to provide the best care for their patients and communities.

RACGP
www.racgp.org.au

Continuity of Care

Being cared for by the same doctor. We use reminders and secure recall systems to help deliver continuity of care, essential for the effective management of Chronic Conditions.

Access to a network of trusted local Allied Health and Specialists

GPs can arrange referrals to allied health providers and medical specialists with financial support and assistance through the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS), making access to health care more affordable for eligible patients.

Improved Access to Affordable Health Care in a Rural Area

We aim to be a bulk billing medical practice (no out of pocket expense) for eligible medical services and patients, through the Medicare Benefit Schedule (MBS).

Safe Quality Care & Accountability

Clinical governance describes the systems in place for medical practices to demonstrate responsibility and accountability for providing quality care, continuous improvement and minimising clinical risk (the chance of something bad happening). Alba Health is registered with the Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL) for Accreditation.

AGPAL
www.agpal.com.au

RACGP
www.racgp.org.au

Confidential & Secure Information Communication Technology (ICT) Systems

Our ICT. systems, essential in operating a modern day medical practice, adhere to the high standards and privacy principles demanded in Australia, by the Federal Government and are protected by legislation.

RACGP
www.racgp.org.au

Cultivating
Health &
Wellbeing

Alba Health

Family Medical General Practice Myrtleford

How We Can Help

Dr. Justin Donaldson

Principal GP

Frequently Asked Questions

Fee Schedule

Bulk Billed Appointments

The Victorian Health Department advise you to:

Patient Centred Care

High Quality Healthcare

Continuity of Care

Access to a network of trusted local Allied Health and Specialists

Improved Access to Affordable Health Care in a Rural Area

Safe Quality Care & Accountability

Confidential & Secure Information Communication Technology (ICT) Systems

After Hours

Emergency Departments

Additional Services

Nurse on Call

Mental Health Triage Service

Head to Help

Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO)

Lifeline

Mensline

Kids Helpline

Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service

Sexual Assault Crisis Line

Directline

Gamblers Helpline