New Outrageous Surcharge at GP

spammingb on 25/09/2023 - 14:14
Last edited 25/09/2023 - 17:55 by 1 other user

Went to my usual GP today and noticed they introduced a new 1.5% card surcharge. On top of the new gap fee they've introduced.

All good, that's normal these days. However, my consultation today also included a small procedure fee. So the total out of pocket is $49 exactly.

They charged me $133.72 (inc surcharge to my card). Without surcharge it's $131.74. There is a $82.74 Medicare rebate. However, the rebate obviously doesn't include the surcharge which is on the ENTIRE amount, not just the out of pocket cost. Therefore my total out of pocket cost is closer to $51.

Unethical? Essentially the surcharge cost on this transaction is now closer to 4.1%, considering my initial out of pocket was $49 exactly.

Is Credit Card Surcharge at GP Unethical?

Poll Options

  • 176
    Yes
  • 435
    No
Health & Beauty

Comments

    • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 10:23
      +1

      …yet will pay whatever they ask, for a latte…

  • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2023 - 15:26
    -1

    My GP bulk bills me even though clinic policy is for me to spread my cheeks.

  • netjock on 25/09/2023 - 15:40
    -6

    I actually want to see a 1.5% discount using cash.

    Funniest thing is prices didn't come down 1.5% but the surcharge was introduced.

    • Tommohalby on 25/09/2023 - 16:08
      +5

      huh…..Do you know how the surcharge works? The 1.5% is extra for the ability to pay without cash - Talk to your banks if you are unhappy about that cost.

      • netjock on 25/09/2023 - 16:18
        +3

        When they introduced the surchage it was meant to make those people paying by card pay the additional cost of paying by card.

        Overnight every establishment had a surcharge. When the cost of paying by card was already baked into the price.

        Prices actually went up. Not down.

        • CrowReally on 25/09/2023 - 16:39
          +2

          Yeah but on the plus side I bet you had some really great conversations with business owners about what you assumed their profit margins were and what their prices should be

          • netjock on 25/09/2023 - 16:44

            @CrowReally: Why do you need to assume? I just don't shop at places with outrageous surcharges or use cash.

            You just need to take your money where you think it serves you best. Why have a debate about 2% when they will lose business on their own.

            I'm not in the business of giving free advice. Because cheap advice usually isn't taken on board. Advice is much more precious when you need to pay for it.

            You every watched Tony Robbins? He just ask people in the audience what their goals are, then give them a hug, tell them they can do it, everyone cheers and that makes an expensive ticket worthwhile.

            • CrowReally on 25/09/2023 - 16:46

              @netjock: The important thing isn't that you made the decision on how much you wanted to spend and where (which is what everyone else does), but that you came here to tell us that's what you did.

              • netjock on 25/09/2023 - 16:47
                +1

                @CrowReally: I didn't tell anyone what I did but then if you really think so

                • CrowReally on 25/09/2023 - 16:49

                  @netjock: Rightio, good luck with your 1.5% ongoing discount discussions!

                  Business owners hate him because of this one weird trick

                  • netjock on 25/09/2023 - 16:53

                    @CrowReally: I think you got two things mixed up. One is business decision, other is basically external factors (thief).

                    You go to JB and ask them to do a better price they give you 10% off. It isn't theft, which is when you walk out with the goods.

                    I guess Tesla price cuts are a kind of uninvited theft by your logic.

                    End of conversation.

        • furyou on 26/09/2023 - 16:24

          Why don't you simply start competitors to every establishment that had a surcharge. Seems no brainer and you'd make a killing.

          • netjock on 26/09/2023 - 19:30

            @furyou:

            Why don't you simply

            That means you don't know much.

            Toll logistics makes like 5% net margin. Jetstar makes 10% net margin. Why don't you get a job at Toll and tell them to just start another Jetstar?

            • furyou on 26/09/2023 - 19:45

              @netjock: So you want your cake and eat it too?

              "Bad business charging too much! Boo hoo. But i wouldn't do it, not enough money for me!"

              • netjock on 27/09/2023 - 09:25

                @furyou: Go back to the top and read what I said?

                No business reduced the cash price when they applied a surcharge when the surcharges were brought in is what I said.

    • Sal in SA on 25/09/2023 - 19:44
      -1

      Costs more to deal with cash - bank runs - float etc - yeah naw -fk cash.

      • cookie2 on 26/09/2023 - 06:44
        +1

        I'll tell you what costs more… lack of choice. Remove choice to pay cash and we'll see increased surcharges and minimum spends.
        As a CONSUMER cash is cheaper or same price.

        • Assburg on 26/09/2023 - 08:30

          Surcharges not allowed if cash not an option… For now.

          • netjock on 27/09/2023 - 09:27
            +1

            @Assburg: Just baked into the price. The credit card charges don't just disappear.

            Same rule in Europe (you must be given a fee free option). Ryanair put an obscure card as a payment option and suddenly that card exploded with customers. Lengths businesses will go to.

  • Duckie2hh on 25/09/2023 - 16:05
    -1

    If you don't want to spend the extra $2, maybe don't seek health advice.

  • brendanm on 25/09/2023 - 16:32
    +2

    *Breathes out exasperatedly*

  • SBOB on 25/09/2023 - 17:08
    +4

    You seem more angry about a $2 additional card surcharge, than the continual reduction in 'effective' Medicare funding resulting in your gap fee being $50.

    I hope your dr visit wasnt for elevated blood pressure/stress related issues.

  • JimmyF on 25/09/2023 - 17:10

    They charged me $133.72 (inc surcharge to my card). Without surcharge it's $131.74. There is a $82.74 Medicare rebate. However, the rebate obviously doesn't include the surcharge which is on the ENTIRE amount, not just the out of pocket cost. Therefore my total out of pocket cost is closer to $51.

    If you paid $133.72 to them via card, then yes the credit surcharge amount applies to the entire amount even if you get $82.74 back at a later date.

  • Some Human on 25/09/2023 - 17:34
    -1

    I just go to one that bulk bills.

  • deme on 25/09/2023 - 17:57
    +1

    Went to my usual GP today and noticed they introduced a new 1.5% card surcharge. On top of the new gap fee they've introduced.

    All good, that's normal these days.

    Is it? https://www.eftposaustralia.com.au/interchange-fees-and-prin…

    Eftpos costs like 5c per transaction.

    If the business wanted to charge the same level of surcharge for each payment system, it would need to be 1% as that is the lowest of all payment systems. The business could not average out the costs for both.

    What's the point of writing this OP? You didn't name the business.

  • qaz182 on 25/09/2023 - 18:39
    +10

    I'm making an effort to use cash for my day-to-day (non-online) transactions as much as possible these days. It helps push back against the CBDC/cashless society agenda.

    • Sal in SA on 25/09/2023 - 19:45
      -1

      Anyway …

    • cookie2 on 26/09/2023 - 06:45
      +3

      Same. To anyone that thinks that it'll have no impact on them (cost or convenience of choice) you're living in denial.

    • lechuck123 on 26/09/2023 - 08:50
      +2

      Same.

      Honestly, if the government wants to get rid of cash they'll need to do something about these surcharges, because I'm going the opposite direction too

  • meowsers on 25/09/2023 - 18:54
    +4

    You can always go somewhere else.

    • cookie2 on 26/09/2023 - 06:47
      +1

      Go find another GP over the surcharge? I feel like that's not a great option.

      • meowsers on 26/09/2023 - 12:08

        Neither is bickering about a form of payment charge.

  • SlickMick on 26/09/2023 - 07:58
    -5

    All businesses are entitled to add a credit card surcharge. However, they should be charging gov, not you.

    I ditched my family doctor the day they took away bulk billing.
    I'm paying a fortune for Medicare. If that isn't enough to cover a visit to the doctor, the system is broken.

    • barcer on 26/09/2023 - 08:30
      +1

      However, they should be charging gov, not you.

      Why? The government hasn't chosen to pay the practice with a credit card.

      • SlickMick on 26/09/2023 - 08:41
        -1

        What I said was: There is nothing wrong with a creditcard surcharge, but the surcharge on $0 is $0.
        The gov is picking up the bill. You're right, the gov doesn't pay with creditcard so surcharge is mute.

    • larndis on 26/09/2023 - 15:37
      +2

      Correct, the system is broken

    • furyou on 26/09/2023 - 16:25
      +1

      When you pay the ato with card, they add a credit card surcharge. Maybe you should change gov.

      • SlickMick on 27/09/2023 - 09:48

        Are you replying to me? I said there is nothing wrong with passing on credit card charges.

        The point I tried to make, but obviously worded it really poorly, is that GP visits should be covered by Medicare, so there should be no payment to have a surcharge on.

        • barcer on 27/09/2023 - 11:59

          GP visits should be covered by Medicare, so there should be no payment to have a surcharge on.

          That would be ideal, but would require a massive increase in the payments to GPs for services.

          Not sure how much the Medicare levy would need to go up to cover it, and quite frankly I'm not a fan of the Medicare levy anyway, because it's quite regressive for people at the lower end of the threshold.

          • SlickMick on 27/09/2023 - 12:13

            @barcer: There are plenty of doctors that get by with bulk billing. It's a fantastic hourly rate.

            I think Medicare is very flawed. I'd be happy to do away with it, but the quality of life of the average Australian would fall.
            I guess we'll just keep pumping money into it, and continue to get less out of it.

            • jackspratt on 27/09/2023 - 12:22

              @SlickMick: So logically, you would be happy to see

              ….. the quality of life of the average Australian would fall.

              Interesting perspective.

              • SlickMick on 27/09/2023 - 12:41

                @jackspratt: Bit selfish I know, but I can look after myself way cheaper than Medicare is costing me.

                But I also know that I wouldn't spend the $$ on check-ups that I do now since I'm covered, and I'm pretty sure a lot of people would be the same, so it would be going backwards for sure.

          • tomfool on 28/09/2023 - 15:02

            @barcer: If not the tax payer who should pay for it then?

  • Sinnerator on 26/09/2023 - 08:24
    -7

    PSA, most GPs don't really care about your health they just want the $$$ and the prestige, most are not even that good at their job, find a good GP or learn to self diagnose.

    Many job ads GPs for $150per hour in Sydney, that's ~$300,000 per year, after 11 years study they prob deserve it, but also after 11 yrs study maybe they should be GOOD at their job.

    • Thaal Sinestro on 26/09/2023 - 08:37
      -3

      Some diseases can be accurately self diagnosed (eg OCD, eczema), but for other conditions you need a doctor's referral for pathology tests. Also, you cannot purchase most medications (Schedule 4 or above) without a prescription, even at full market price with no PBS discount. Personally I believe there should be a free market on pharmaceuticals, including mind altering drugs that are currently illegal. My body, my choice. Most Australian though have been so brainwashed with statism that they find my libertarian outlook "insane".

      On outrageous charges… Basically capitalists have realized that people need various goods and services, and so they can massively hike prices for these essential goods and services with no negative ramifications. There is nothing you can do about it.

      • StingyBritches on 26/09/2023 - 09:28
        +5

        Thaai Sinestro said: "Personally I believe there should be a free market on pharmaceuticals, including mind altering drugs that are currently illegal."

        Aren't there enough drug-addled idiots on our roads and elsewhere already?

      • infinite on 26/09/2023 - 23:10

        You don't need a doc's referral for almost any type of testing.

        You only need a doc's referral if you want to be bulk-billed for certain types of testing.

  • jrvb42 on 26/09/2023 - 08:30
    +1

    Not unethical at all to pass on the charge they incur from the bank.
    By way of constructive advice, get yourself an HSBC Global Card on which you get 2% cash back (up to $50 per month) - you'll be using your own money and even after the 1.5% surcharge by the surgery, you'll be 0.5% up on the deal.

    • furyou on 26/09/2023 - 16:26

      I'm sure OP would find it unethical to profit 0.5% up on the deal. Right OP? OP?

  • CL123 on 26/09/2023 - 08:36
    +1

    I had a Medical Centre on the Gold Coast charge a credit card fee without my knowledge.
    When i got home and discovered the discrepancy I rang and asked about it and why i wasn't told. They said there was a sign on the wall,
    I complained that it wasn't told to me by the person taking my payment so they said they would do that from now on.
    Told me I could pay via EFTPOS (money out of my account) and that would save paying the fee.

    Next visit I used my 'debit' card and paid from my account. When i got home again there was a discrepancy.
    What i did not know is that my debit card had a chip in it so the attendant just 'tapped' it instead of swiping it, and for that it included a transaction fee.

    That really made me mad as again, no one bothered to tell me there was a fee for doing it that way, neither did they ask me if i wanted the payment 'tapped' instead of entering my pin.

    I get that some businesses want to pass on the credit card fees but you should be told upfront before they take the payment and given options to avoid paying the fee if there is one. In fact you really should know this before you get to the centre in case cash is the only option to avoid fees.
    Ultimately the staff don't care and neither do most clients. They probably don't have enough people like me who hates paying cc fees and/ or complains about not being told, so no incentive to do better.

    • spaceflight on 27/09/2023 - 14:22

      They probably don't have enough people like me who hates paying cc fees and/ or complains about not being told, so no incentive to do better.

      So if you hate paying it so much why dont you ask before you pay?
      There was a sign that would have been visible that you didn't see. If you hate paying the fee why don't you look for those signs before you pay?

      What i did not know is that my debit card had a chip in it so the attendant just 'tapped' it instead of swiping it, and for that it included a transaction fee.

      You have never noticed the shiny chip on your card?

      Debit cards have been Visa/MasterCard affiliated for nearly 2 decades.
      Perhaps you aren't that old, but do you read the information sent to you with your card? Have you not noticed the Visa/MasterCard logo on it? Have you not noticed the tap and go logo on it?

      If you hate paying merchant fees so much how have you not looked into how to use your debit card with the EFTPOS network instead of Visa or MasterCard?

  • peterw1 on 26/09/2023 - 08:52
    +3

    so you payed $51 for quality health care, you pay more for a haircut. You should be paying more for health care.

    • deme on 26/09/2023 - 08:53
      -3

      No he didn't.

      Do you think money for medicare grows on trees?

      He already paid for it in taxes.

    • locknuts on 26/09/2023 - 14:11
      +1

      Nobody on Ozbargain should be paying that much for a haircut. That should be a bannable offence.

  • knaff on 26/09/2023 - 09:02
    +2

    I pay cash for a lot of things now, sick of giving even more money to the banks.

    • michaelTito on 26/09/2023 - 13:59

      Need more people like you

  • Myone888 on 26/09/2023 - 09:05
    -2

    MyHealth provide bfast n coffee to their staff every morning and hence high gap fees and surcharge!

    • michaelTito on 26/09/2023 - 13:59
      +1

      Even if this is the case I say they deserve the free coffee and breakfast.

  • Waltervp on 26/09/2023 - 09:12

    There should be a cash surcharge.
    In usa they don't subsidised medical care at all because the qeues to see doctors gets too long, we should be grateful we can still get subsidised healthcare at all…

  • jaimex2 on 26/09/2023 - 09:29
    +3

    Instead of being outraged at a credit card surcharge by angry about how much out of pocket a GP is now days when it used to be free.

    Rage at all the covid billions pissed away with nothing to show for it that could have just funded medicare properly for a century.

    • xdigger on 26/09/2023 - 10:12
      +2

      The money for $368 billions for AUKUS nuke subs have to come from somewhere, why not take it from the Healthcare sector since compassionate healthcare workers like GPs are seen to complain the least.

      • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 10:15
        -1

        Plus "we needs many munnies" for all the self diagnosed PTSD, ADHD and autism industries eating up NDIS money like termites in a cardboard factory

        • larndis on 26/09/2023 - 15:47

          Can you provide details of how to get registered for NDIS for a self diagnosed disability? Sounds great!

          • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 16:12

            @larndis: Can you act, whinge and locate a Dr in a hurry?

            • larndis on 26/09/2023 - 17:02

              @Protractor: Why do I need a doctor for a self diagnosis?

              • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 17:28

                @larndis: You don't.
                But…
                If you can't join simple dots in and around the tidal wave of those conditions , and whereby merely playing the card places the 'sufferer' in the hands of willing tax payer funded advocates, and user friendly Drs, I guess you've slept through it all.

  • Speckled Jim on 26/09/2023 - 09:39
    +1

    spammingb 19 hours 25 min ago

    Username checks out.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/09/2023 - 09:40
    +1

    I expect cash to be done away with before too long, then the banks will skim a small % off every transaction.

    • Sammy2000 on 26/09/2023 - 10:31

      This, I thought business previously waved the fees on eftpos & cc as cash uses staff processing which costs more.

  • Carmen Sandiego on 26/09/2023 - 09:53
    +1

    My GP has the card charge but, I insert my card and type in my pin - ta dah. No card charge.

    • michaelTito on 26/09/2023 - 14:02
      +1

      This is about to be changed. Banks are starting to introduce surcharge even when you insert your debut card with pin.

  • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 10:09

    STOCK REPLY It was Dans idea. (s/)

    I hope you're sitting down for this. Look at the triple dipping on your fuel for your car

    "WHAT IS FUEL EXCISE?
    Fuel excise is a flat sales tax levied by the Australian Government on petrol and diesel bought at the bowser. The current rate is 48.8 cents in excise for every litre of fuel purchased.

    The rate of fuel excise is adjusted in February and August each year in line with inflation and is in addition to the GST.

    Over the past decade (up until 2022-23), only 59% of fuel excise has been re-invested in land transport projects. The AAA would like to see every cent of fuel excise re-invested into land transport projects."

  • gimme on 26/09/2023 - 10:28
    +1

    back in the day outrageous meant something. now everyone is outraged at just about anything. by the same token people seem to be amazed by the most menial crap too so words have been diluted and dumbed down to the point where they can be ignored

    • ozboygsl on 26/09/2023 - 10:54

      Very true. - seems " I'm offended" is one of the most common ways to begin a conversation.

  • vetopower on 26/09/2023 - 10:43

    This is why you should always be credit card churning. That way you're getting a minimum of 10% return on spend, and most typically 15-30%. A 1-3% credit card surcharge fee doesn't matter in those circumstances.

  • JafferMoney on 26/09/2023 - 10:50

    It's all about business, don't hate the playa, hate the game.

  • ozboygsl on 26/09/2023 - 10:52
    +1

    You CHOSE to pay with a card. And as such you CHOOSE to accept all associated factors with it. That's one reason I almost only ever pay with cash.

    • thisusernameistaken on 26/09/2023 - 12:33
      +1

      Good stuff. I do the same so I know exactly how much money I'm giving… not after I check my bank statement / app

  • Narull on 26/09/2023 - 11:29
    -1

    Why do people still use credit cards these days?

    I understand the fee if you're using tap pay on a debt account, but the fee goes away if you take the 20 seconds and insert your card (I always do this to avoid the fee at aldi).

    But credit cards seem like something stuck in the 90's, pay them off and stop living off borrowed money, debt cards are so easy now and if you're doing it 'for rewards' or whatever you're just falling for their scam to keep you on the hook.

    • idonotknowwhy on 26/09/2023 - 12:19

      Why do people still use credit cards these days?

      Because often, I only carry my phone with me and use Google Wallet.
      Can't insert the phone.

      HSBC gives 2% cash back for tap-and-pay anyway so I usually end up winning.

      • Narull on 26/09/2023 - 13:17
        +1

        See this I can understand, I've started using phone at places that don't change extra for debit card, guess I'm not at the point of leaving wallet behind yet but understandable thanks for the real answer.

    • dragonos81 on 26/09/2023 - 12:49
      +1

      hmm, ever got your card details stolen?
      No issue with a credit card … with a debit card you're out of pocket for X weeks.

      • Narull on 26/09/2023 - 13:20
        -1

        I have actually, banks are very fast at reversing transactions on reported stolen cards etc, I think your mindset is still stuck in the 90's as I said.

        Keeping a credit card "just in case my details get stolen" seems like a bad excuse you've convinced yourself of.

    • gromit on 26/09/2023 - 14:23
      +1

      credit cards mean the bank carries the risk if stolen/fraud occurs not you. credit cards if managed right provide a lot of additional benefits with little to no cost (like points from churning or insurance), credit cards are widely accepted and safer to use online. If anything not using a credit card is stuck in the 90's.

      • Narull on 26/09/2023 - 14:27
        -1

        lol, debit cards are useable wherever a credit card is and the second you report a card lost/stolen the bank qualifies your account to investigate fraudulent charges. Debit cards being useable everywhere credit cards are wasn't even around in the 90's you needed a credit card for online etc

        You're proof that you haven't kept up to date with technology changes.

        • gromit on 26/09/2023 - 14:30
          +1

          no debit cards are NOT useable everywhere, e.g. some hotels and services require a credit card. when you report fraud on a debit card until the case is resolved it is your money that is unavailable, with a credit card it is the banks.

    • endolphin on 26/09/2023 - 14:55
      +1

      It's very simple. Using a credit card means that my offset account stays higher for longer and I save on interest charges.

      Not to mention that thousands of dollars of benefits I gain every year from churning and burning credit cards.

    • try2bhelpful on 26/09/2023 - 20:26

      Hmmm. Yeah that Scam that has got me enough points to fly business class to Europe.

  • Drakesy on 26/09/2023 - 12:09
    +1

    Bud, if you're whining about a 1.5% CC surcharge that they're entitled to charge n an already heavily subsidised service you have other things to worry about.
    Take a look at America for some perspective.
    Inflation alone is sitting at 7%

    • ssfps on 26/09/2023 - 20:24
      -2

      Susan, what are you complaining about, sure Dave has a temper and sometimes you get a little bruised, but look at Sally! That poor woman has been put in hospital by Clint 7 times, and Clint doesn't even earn half as much as Dave for the family!

  • thisusernameistaken on 26/09/2023 - 12:32

    OP. Just use cash. Easier to track your spending and you still get medicare rebate provided your bank details are up to date (which can be done in myGov). Most rebates land in your account within the same day.

  • Dack Smith on 26/09/2023 - 12:50

    Just go to another GP

  • Wiser on 26/09/2023 - 13:08

    Legally they can charge.
    But all product costs and service charges are calculated based on all overheads they incur. They can always argue that the bank charges are not included.
    Soon businesses will add EFTPOS terminal fees.

  • try2bhelpful on 26/09/2023 - 13:15
    +2

    Go find another GP. Best of luck on that though.

  • curtturtle on 26/09/2023 - 13:56
    +3

    This is a troll post right? $2! You are crying about $2?

    • Protractor on 26/09/2023 - 15:25

      Not $2, their special reserved A-Grade $2. Put aside for 80% of a litre of ULP

  • dlakers3peat on 26/09/2023 - 14:04

    First world problem….move on.

  • fullmetal on 26/09/2023 - 14:07
    +1

    I went to a GP, the clinic charges 10cent for each piece of paper to be printed (my medical report). My doctor is nice just told me just take it, the clinic is going crazy with cost recovery.

    • xdigger on 26/09/2023 - 14:48

      Vote with your feet, just go to another GP as others have said!

  • groot on 26/09/2023 - 14:27

    Its not unfair to charge Surcharge for card usage. ACCC allows surcharge to be paid by consumer.
    Just pay by cash everywhere possible

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