Accreditation practice pointer: our patients are informed that there are potential out-of-pocket costs for referred services

C1.5 Our patients are informed that there are potential out-of-pocket costs for referred services.

RACGP Standards for general practice

When GPs refer patients to other clinical or investigative services, they must advise of the possibility of additional costs. Should patients wish to know the amount involved, GPs can advise the patient to ask the service provider. Neither the GP nor the practice needs to know the costs associated with referred services. 

When out -of-pocket costs are a potential barrier to patients accessing referred services, the GP needs to discuss other available services. This may include a referral to public services, for example. 

Practices can support patients with information about additional costs for referred services by: 

• providing the contact details of the referred service provider so patients can find out about the costs for that service

• develop a contact list of local service providers, which can be given to patients so that they can find out about costs and select the service provider of their choice.