Health Funds & Payments
We make payment easy peasy!
Our payment options are designed to suit each and every individual. At The Practice we’re always working on making things easier for you and we’re always available to discuss the best payment option for you.
Cash, Bank Cheque, EFTPOS & credit cards
We accept all the major cards at The Practice as well as cash and bank cheques. There are no sneaky hidden costs for processing debit cards, Mastercard, Visa or American Express.
Health Fund Members – HICAPS
Processing payments for our Health Fund members is really quick and easy. If your health fund is participating in the HICAPS electronic claims systems we can process your rebate on the spot. That means you only have to pay the outstanding gap and won’t have to process any paperwork.
If your health fund isn’t participating in HICAPS, or you don’t have a HIPCAPS compatible member card, then don’t worry – you’re still entitled to the rebate. We just ask you to pay in full on the day and contact your heath fund who will pay the rebate directly to you.
All health funds pay out a different level of rebate depending on your individual plan. If you’d like to know how much your health fund will pay, we can give you an itemised treatment plan before your next appointment. Then all you have to do is phone up your health fund, read out the list of the item numbers and they will tell you what level of rebate they will pay out.
Bulk Billed Medicare Dental – CDBS
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) is a Commonwealth-funded scheme that covers part or the full cost of certain dental services for children
To qualify for this your child must be:
- 2 to 17 years old for at least 1 day that year
- eligible for Medicare
- getting a payment from us at least once a year, or have a parent getting a payment from us at least once a year.
What’s covered
Up to $1,000 over 2 calendar years for basic dental services under CDBS. The services we will cover include:
- check-ups
- X-rays
- cleaning
- fissure sealing
- fillings
- root canals
- extractions.
Veteran Affairs
You may be able to receive dental services if you have an assessed clinical need and a:
- Veteran Gold Card
- Veteran White Card and your treatment is for an accepted service-related condition
If you are eligible for dental services, your dentist may:
- assess the health of your mouth and teeth at regular check-ups
- treat any dental injuries or conditions
- repair cavities in your teeth with fillings or crowns
- provide you with dentures
- re-line your dentures every two years
- replace your dentures every 6 years, unless your dentures have been re-lined in the past year, or if your dentist recommends a replacement sooner
We also offer payment plans such as Zip Pay and ZipMoney to suit your circumstances
For patients looking for an ideal and affordable payment plan, we recommend applying online through ZipMoney.
- ZipMoney allows you to fund up to $4000 worth of treatments for any general dentistry procedures.
- Repayments can be selected using 3-6 months interest-free.
- Credit check process applies.
We prefer not being “preferred”
At The Practice, we’re here to give you straightforward, honest answers – especially when it comes to your health fund claims. One question we often get is, “Why is there a gap after I claim on my health fund?” It’s a great question, and it comes down to one important choice we’ve made as a practice: we’ve decided ” we prefer not being a preferred provider” for any specific health insurance company.
Why we’re proudly independent at The Practice
Let’s clear up a common misconception – being a “preferred provider” isn’t necessarily a stamp of quality. In fact, this term is defined by health insurance companies, not by dental practices.
Health funds often choose their “preferred” providers based on financial agreements, meaning these dentists agree to specific fees and other terms set by the insurer. As a result, the insurance company can influence everything from the treatment options available to the way the practice is run.
But what does this mean for you as a patient? By remaining independent, we’re free to choose the best staff, offer a full range of treatments, and keep our focus on providing the highest standard of care. Our decisions aren’t based on insurer agreements – they’re based on what’s best for you.
What this means for your health fund claims
Since we’re not tied to any health fund agreements, there is usually a gap between what your health fund covers and what you’re billed. This gap is a reflection of our commitment to quality care that’s all about you – not about meeting an insurance company’s bottom line.
Why choose an independent practice like ours?
We know you have a choice when it comes to your dental care. Here’s why choosing an independent provider like The Practice can make all the difference:
- Your care comes first: Our decisions are based on your needs, not health fund agreements.
- Transparent pricing: We’re upfront about costs and here to help you understand your claims.
- Tailored treatments: You get the full range of options because we’re not limited by insurance terms.
In the end, It’s your choice
When it comes to your dental care, we believe you should be the one making the choices. At The Practice, we’re proud to offer a level of care that puts you first – always.
