Medicare Bulk Billing for Sexual Health: What You Need to Know

In Australia, many sexual health consultations can be bulk billed, which means Medicare pays the doctor directly and you have nothing to pay for the consultation. At Teldoc, sexual health telehealth consultations, including STI testing and treatment, are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Pathology tests are often bulk billed too, and public sexual health clinics provide free, confidential care.

Here’s how it works, what’s covered and what you may still need to pay for.

What does bulk billing mean?

Bulk billing means the doctor accepts the Medicare benefit as full payment for the consultation. You show your Medicare card (or give your details), and there’s no out-of-pocket cost for that consultation. Not every doctor or service bulk bills every patient, so it’s always worth checking before you book.

Why sexual health telehealth can be bulk billed

Normally, Medicare only covers a telehealth GP consultation if you’ve seen the practice in person in the past 12 months. Sexual and reproductive health consultations are one of the exceptions to this rule. That means a telehealth doctor you haven’t met before can still bulk bill a sexual health consultation if you have a valid Medicare card.

This is why Teldoc can bulk bill sexual health consultations, even though our general consultations aren’t covered by Medicare.

What Teldoc bulk bills

With a valid Medicare card, these consultations are bulk billed at Teldoc:

• STI testing and treatment, including chlamydia and genital herpes
• contraception
• vaginal thrush and bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• premature ejaculation

Erectile dysfunction consultations are a private fee ($55 on weekdays, $75 on weekends and public holidays) with no Medicare rebate.

We also bulk bill babies under 12 months and patients experiencing homelessness. Pregnancy consultations are $95, with a $47 Medicare rebate. Other general consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, with no Medicare rebate. Eligibility rules can change, so check our fees page or bulk-billed online doctor page for the latest.

What about pathology tests?

Most STI tests are done by a pathology lab using a urine sample, a swab or a blood test. With a valid Medicare card, these tests are often bulk billed, but some collection centres may charge for certain tests. If cost is a concern, ask the collection centre before you have your test.

What about medicines?

Bulk billing covers the consultation, not the medicine. If your doctor prescribes treatment, you’ll pay the pharmacy for it. Many prescription medicines are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and concession card holders pay less. Your pharmacist can tell you the cost before you collect it.

If you don’t have a Medicare card

• Public sexual health clinics offer free, confidential STI testing and treatment, and many will see you without a Medicare card. Some have long waits or need an appointment, so call ahead.
• Telehealth: you can still see a Teldoc doctor at our standard fees ($55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays). Pathology tests may be charged privately.
• Overseas visitors and students: check what your health insurance covers.

Why it’s worth getting tested

Many STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, often cause no symptoms, and some can lead to long-term problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility problems if they’re not treated. healthdirect recommends a chlamydia and STI check at least once a year if you’re sexually active and under 30, and whenever you have a new partner. For an overview of the most common infections, see common STIs in Australia: facts and stats.

Is it confidential?

Yes. Your consultation is private, and doctors are bound by Australian privacy law and professional obligations. A bulk-billed consultation appears in your Medicare claims history, so if you share a Medicare card with family, you may want to consider this. Public sexual health clinics can also see you confidentially.

When to get urgent help

• If you may have been exposed to HIV in the past 72 hours, go to an emergency department or sexual health clinic straight away for HIV PEP. Read Doxy-PEP vs HIV PEP for more.
• Go to an emergency department if you have severe pain in your lower tummy or testicles, a high fever, or feel very unwell.
• If you’ve been sexually assaulted, go to an emergency department or call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). In an emergency, call 000.

How Teldoc can help

Our AHPRA-registered GPs provide sexual health consultations by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. Your doctor can arrange tests, prescribe treatment if clinically appropriate with an eScript sent to your phone, and help with partner notification. Explore our sexual health services, or visit our sister service STI Doctor, which focuses only on STIs.

Frequently asked questions

Is STI testing bulk billed in Australia?

Often, yes. At Teldoc, STI testing and treatment consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card, and pathology tests are often bulk billed too. Public sexual health clinics also offer free testing.

Can a telehealth sexual health consultation be bulk billed if I’ve never seen the doctor before?

Yes. Sexual and reproductive health consultations are an exception to the Medicare rule that you must have seen the practice in person in the past 12 months.

Do I have to pay for the medicine?

Usually, yes. Bulk billing covers the consultation, not the prescription. Many medicines are subsidised under the PBS, and concession card holders pay less.

Can I get tested without a Medicare card?

Yes. Many public sexual health clinics see people without a Medicare card at no cost. You can also see a Teldoc doctor at our standard fees.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026