FAQs

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a Registered Nurse with the experience, expertise and authority to diagnose and treat people of all ages with a variety of acute or chronic health conditions.

NPs have completed additional university study at Master's degree level and are the most independent/autonomous nurses in our health care system.

NPs practice collaboratively with other health professionals to improve access to healthcare for Australian communities through health promotion, disease prevention, and health management strategies.

Nurse Practioners:

• Have practiced in Australia since the year 2000
• Provide healthcare in all states and territories in Australia
• Can provide patient rebates through Medicare
• Provide prescriptions and access to PBS medicines
• Can refer patients to hospitals and specialists
• Can order x-rays and diagnostic tests
• Are registered health care providers with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency

NPs have the skills, experience, and qualifications to provide holistic health care through:

• Diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health related conditions
• Construction and implementation of therapeutic regimens for patients, carers, and families
• Initiating and receiving appropriate referrals from health professionals
• Ordering and interpreting the most appropriate tests to assist in diagnosis and management
• prescribing appropriate and necessary medications

Each NP in Australia has a defined scope of practice. This means they work within an area they have expertise in.

There are many examples of this including:

• emergency Care/Critical Care
• Mental Health
• Palliative care
• Aged Care
• Chronic Disease Management
• Primary Health

Our NP Steve’s scope of practice does not include patients:

• Under the age of 18 years
• For management of Women’s Health issues
• For management of skin conditions including lesions and moles

Unfortunately, there are also certain limitations related to NPs ability to access MBS subsidized care. For example, although NPs can manage mental health issues, they are not able formally generate mental health treatment plans which give patients subsidized access to mental health professionals.

You can make an appointment with Steve by calling the phone number on the website.

If you have any questions, you can ring or email Steve and/or his practice manager.

The options for consultation include:

• Clinic room visit - this is located at Loch in Health, 16 Loch Street, Beechworth, next to the IGA carpark
• Telehealth this is appropriate for a simple issue however if you are unwell or have complex issues, face to face is required.
• Home visit Beechworth area only.

Fee Schedule

• MBS Item No.
• Fee
• Rebate
• Private Fee Gap

• Level B less than 20 minutes
  82205 | 91189 | 91178
• $61.40
• $26.40
• $35.00

• Level C 20-39 minutes
  82210 | 91190 | 91179
• $90.05
• $50.05
• $40.00

• Level D 40-60 minutes
  82215 | 91191 | 91180
• $133.80
• $73.80
• $60.00

• Level E 60 minutes plus
• $191.55
• $111.55
• $80.00

Terms & Conditions

• Item numbers under each level consist of Face to Face, Telephone, and video consultations
• Card payment preferred as this allows for automatic Medicare rebate
• Other payments acceptable

Unfortunately NPs do not get access to the Bulk Billing Incentive Program that General Practitioners have access to.

Therefore at this stage Bulk Billing is not offered.

Hopefully in 2025 or beyond this may change. If so, pensioners and concession card holders may be bulk billed depending on the financial make up of the incentive program.