At a time when Australians are increasingly concerned about access to specialist care, including out-of-pocket costs and unexpected bills, Australia's 16 specialist medical colleges have come together on a combined national framework on ethical billing and patient protection.
The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) launched its national Professionalism Framework on ethical billing and fee transparency at Parliament House today.
The Framework was launched by CPMC Chair Associate Professor Kerin Fielding and the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon. Rebecca White MP.
The framework establishes shared expectations for ethical billing, fee transparency, and informed financial consent – reinforcing the medical profession's commitment to patient-centred care.
It sets out clear principles: plain-language disclosure of all costs; genuine informed financial consent as a prerequisite to treatment; and compassionate billing that accounts for patients' circumstances. It also establishes an explicit expectation that specialists consistently uphold these principles in their practice.
"Patients deserve clear information about the cost of their care and the confidence that billing practices are fair, transparent and respectful," said CPMC Chair Associate Professor Kerin Fielding.
"This framework reinforces that informed financial consent is not complete unless patients have had a genuine opportunity to understand the financial implications of their care, including available alternatives."
The framework makes clear that patients are entitled to clear, upfront information about the cost of their care, while billing practices that exploit vulnerabilities, obscure costs, or include undisclosed fees are inconsistent with professional standards and should not form part of contemporary specialist practice.
While specialist medical colleges do not set or regulate fees, CPMC said the profession has a responsibility to uphold transparency in billing practices so that patients can make informed decisions about their care.
CPMC has committed to working with the Commonwealth to ensure the Medical Costs Finder website delivers better transparency for patients seeking specialist medical care.
The colleges will continue to work constructively with government, insurers and consumer representatives to improve access to specialist care and reduce financial barriers for patients, so that every Australian can access affordable, high-quality specialist care without risking financial hardship.
